Cycling to Llyn Brenig — A Hilly North Wales Adventure
A hilly ride through the North Wales countryside to Llyn Brenig, with monster climbs, heavy showers, soaring red kites and an unexpected battery adventure on the journey home.
Some rides are about the miles, others are about where those miles take you. This one had plenty of both.
Our ride to Llyn Brenig took us through some beautiful North Wales countryside, with plenty of climbing thrown in for good measure. We set off as three, with Sarah joining Liz and me for the first part of the ride. Spanish Hill gave us a taste of what was to come before Sarah left us when we turned towards the wonderfully named Flossie’s Skirt.
That left the two of us to tackle another long stretch of up, up and more up. Hard work at times, but after all the recent rain everywhere was incredibly green and the increasingly wild and open landscape made the climbing worthwhile.
The weather couldn’t quite make its mind up. We rode through some pretty heavy showers, but between them there were brighter spells that completely changed the landscape.
Before reaching Brenig we passed the reservoirs, which were showing welcome signs of recovery after the recent rain. We also had one of the treats of the day when three red kites appeared overhead. We stopped to watch them soaring above us and I was convinced I could hear them calling, although Liz was equally convinced the noises I could hear were coming from a crow!
By the time we reached Llyn Brenig we were more than ready for lunch. What struck me most was just how peaceful it was. There wasn’t a breath of wind and we were obviously well sheltered. After the showers and all that climbing, sitting beside the water in such stillness felt rather special.
Then came the slight problem.
I’d brought my battery charger, expecting to give the bike a boost over lunch ready for the journey home. Unfortunately, the charger wouldn’t attach properly to the battery. Not ideal when there were still plenty of miles between Brenig and home.
What I’d expected to be a relatively easy run back became an exercise in battery conservation. I kept the assistance to an absolute minimum and did plenty of off-grid pedalling. Eventually I made it to Trefnant, where it was time for the cycling equivalent of phone a friend. Richard arrived not long afterwards to rescue me — definitely earning a few brownie points.
Despite the heavy showers, monster climbs and battery drama, it was a cracking day out. Good company, beautiful countryside, red kites overhead and that wonderfully peaceful stop at Brenig.
And one useful lesson for next time: monster ride = newest battery, and check the charger before leaving home.
THE ROUTE
Start and finish: Rhuddlan Nature Reserve, North Wales
Distance: 47.6 miles
Elevation gain: 4,078 ft
Highlights: Flossie’s Skirt and Llyn Brenig
A challenging, hilly route through the North Wales countryside, gradually leaving the coast behind for the quieter, more remote landscape around Brenig.
Route Note: The Strava map shows the full route we would normally follow. On this occasion we rode via Spanish Hill rather than Badger's Alley. and my ride ended at Trefnant after the battery adventure.
