Road cycling to Llyn Brenig, North Wales.
I did the typical Lucy thing this weekend where I got a ride into my head and I wasn’t going to settle until it was done. Luckily Ryan knew a more picturesque way to go than main roads, so after some plotting on Garmin Connect I was good to go.
I was off to Llyn Brenig and that was that. Cambrian Photography were running an Optic’s Fair there so I could get a lift home with my Dad if needed. I just needed to get away from main roads and just ride my bike.
It was main roads really to Ruthin, but a sharp climb out of Ruthin and a sharp right onto a country lane meant I was quickly in the middle of nowhere. Lane after lane my mind was getting lost in the constant climbing. Normally I’d shy away from it, but I secretly liked the challenge. Feeling the burn and knowing there’s nowhere quite like North Wales to ride your bike. Lanes that go on for miles do you can completely get away from it. I guess it’s what cycling is about for me, you know? Where it can take me. Yes I’ve seen some pretty crazy places whilst racing, but this ride was something else. I had the map on my screen rather than what watts I was chucking out. I was just riding my bike. Not worrying about how quickly I was going up the hills, just laughing when the roads were close to disintegrating yet I was still getting up them. Getting attacked by pheasants in the meantime. I must have saw about 40 pheasants and I’m genuinely not over exaggerating. They were everywhere!
Eventually I was on the hill tops making my way across the rolling Welsh hills with 360 degree views. I’d not seen another cyclist for about 15 miles. I couldn’t not stop to take photos with there being views for miles. At one point a group of painted lady butterflies flew off that were resting on the road. My mind was blown at the scenery around me at every corner.
Soon Clocaenog Forest came into view as well as the Wind Farm scattered throughout it. It always baffles my mind how big Wind Turbines are. My route had been so good up to now I was convinced the road would turn to gravel sooner or later, but the route just kept going and going. The 360 degree view was replaced by dense forest. It felt like I had the forest completely to myself.
Passing gravel roads which I’m pretty sure were used for Wales Rally GB, I soon needed to turn off right to head towards Llyn Brenig. I turned the corner and all of the sudden there was an arrow straight road lines by trees perfectly framing the view at the end of it.
My legs were starting to fall victim to all the climbing and I was doing and the sharp descent meant there was more to come. I looked down at my hands were glistening from the sweat. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. All of a sudden I popped out on the main road near Llyn Alwen.
Relief. I’d made it with a massive smile on my face as well.
Racing is great and I enjoyed it last year. Those Pimbo races were crazy, but this year I just couldn’t get my head into it at all. Right now though, I’m finally loving riding my bike again and the amazing places it can take me. I may not have ridden home, but I can’t wait till I can just disappear on my for the day and see where it gets me.
Lucy's Life and Bikes 
What an amazing landscape, I would love to cycle there! We have some countryside and hills near where I live but the roads are quite busy with traffic there so I do avoid them. But maybe there are some quiet roads in my area which I haven’t discovered yet, I will have to check..
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