Moist Bala and Cloudy Bangor-On-Dee
Friday 30th July was the first time
that I have seen "real" sunshine since the previous
Friday when I arrived at Bala. The rally was based at the rugby
football ground with reasonable ablution facilities. We also had
the benefit of a mobile "meals on wheels" whose owner
appreciated the needs of hungry cyclists both at breakfast and
evening meal times.
There were about 300 participants---in tents and caravans.
Saturday's excursion was to Llyn Brenig, beside B4501, north of
Cerrigydrudion on the A5. It is a delightful man-made reservoir
with a visitor centre with catering, a sailing club, trout fishing,
and a trout farm on site. There is a road of sorts around the
lake and will attract many visitors when the weather is kinder.
Regrettably the temperature was only 14ºC, the sky was grey
and the breeze "moderate". Fortunately I had packed
my "descenders" jacket which kept my chest warm ! The
head-wind back to base was a torment.
Sunday, for me, was a washout. The rain started at 09.30, just
after the Audax stalwarts had departed for their 100kms. I had
opted for a 50miler. The rain and drizzle continued for the next
12 hours. I walked into town a couple of times to buy some groceries
and relieve the boredom.
We had entertainment on three evenings in a marquee. A slide show
of a CTC "challenging" Pete. Crofts 3-week tour in northern
India, bordering on Tibet and Kashmir. The "contestants"
had to contend with landslides and floods. Some accommodation
appeared to be minus-three star !! One tourist had his bike destroyed
when it was being carried on the roof of the back-up bus. It was
crushed by an overhanging cliff. He bought a single-gear "sit-up-and-beg",
of doubtful quality, locally and was able to continue. All their
baggage was carried in the bus.
We were then treated to "Belleville
Rendezvous", an animated (cartoon) film of a fictitious Tour
de France where the villains kidnap the three leaders and take
them to New York. There they are obliged to aid a gambling syndicate---I
will not mention any more in case you have the opportunity to
see it yourself. I noticed that BBC Bristol were involved in the
production.
Finally we had another slideshow of a lady's trip to Peru, without
bicycle. Again, good entertainment.
I departed last Monday (26th) in
drizzle and fortunately the roads were dry after Llangollen. Bangor-on-Dee
site is beside the racecourse. I asked to "park" on
hard-standing, which was in front of the restaurants and betting
parlours. Convenient for the washing facilities, etc., which could
have been better.
I had dry, warmish but sunless, outings each day--- northwards
to Farndon/Holt then south-east to Malpas; Whitchurch, the "pretty
way", where I had great difficulty finding National Cycle
Route 31---not a signpost in sight!!---; Chirk aqueduct and railway
viaduct on the same site, and Pont Cysyllte Aqueduct over the
Dee. Plenty of canal activity.
Everyone had to "break camp" Thursday (29th) morning
as there was a race meeting the following afternoon. I could have
transferred to the rally field for two nights, but decided to
return home yesterday---it is only 35 miles away.
Meanwhile, Ann and her mother were roasting in the south-east!!
Happy pedalling,
Reg. Potter