Welsh Spine #3 - Rain or shine?

Rain or shine. A great day out.

roadside commercial at the entrance to Tywyn

hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!


hou! hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!hou!

     The creature accompanied us nearly for the whole night, yet it left our weary souls untouched...weary? yeah right. I've slept like a baby and my feeling is the guys did so even more. Unfortunately the morning welcomed us with a rather poor weather. While we were breaking camp the drizzle eased and we could slowly reorganise ourselves and our belongings straight onto the bikes. 

A short, but intense cross-country section lead us to Trawsfynydd, where we had a chance to resupply at a small shop. I buy some cheap gloves to keep my hands comfortably warm. Radek uses the premises of a private lavatory to wash his shoes. Just a few minutes ago he got to meet the "chocolate" side of Wales. We lost our track for a brief moment and when it finally reappeared a bit to the side, it turned out, we had to cross a small bog.

Intermission

If I didn't have to work for money,

I'd become an arts or beauty admirer...

Buddy Lukas

Rough Sea by Mr. Div

   

Welsh Spine #2 - The good

You have to take the good with the bad...

Welsh lady from Trefriw

     After unzipping our vestibules on a Monday morning, our eyes catch a glimpse of the clear, blue skies, occasionally interrupted by white clouds. Some 500 meters in front of us are the sandy beaches of Colwyn Bay and just behind our back, shooting in the air are the eroded walls of Penmean-bach. A carpet of violet flowers covering the hill's lower parts seems to contradict it's otherwise raw character.  

Why ponder? We stuff breakfast into our bellies and gear onto our bikes and move on... slooowlyy starting our trip with the climb up the Sychnant Pass. It's much easier now after yesterday's training, Pavel on his Agent Orange rushes ahead, and I - using the advantage gained - lurk at the roadside to take a picture of Radek riding out of Dwygyfychli.

Welsh Spine #1 - A very wet start

“Everyone wants happiness,
no one wants pain,
but you can't make a rainbow
without a little rain.”

Anonymous

      For the last couple of days I've been looking over all the junk, that has organized itself into groups and is now lying on the floor. Do I have everything I need? Wont I forget anything? I'm sure I will (it's become a tradition), but then again I don't have room for much - this alone minimises the risk of forgetting things.

Should I take those rainproof pants I have? Last time I've checked, the MET weather forecast looked great and during a phone call with Radek I say that I don't feel like hauling all those additional grams with me. On the day of my departure I change my mind. "Better safe than sorry" - I think while watching out the browser window at the gloominess of Conwy's weather forecast where we're supposed to start our trip. I give Radek a heads up on my sudden increase in vital powers and the willingness to carry additional weight. What a beautiful decision it was! But more on that later...hush, hush.