Nant Yr Arian

Gorgeous day- what scenery!, originally uploaded by kendyck1.

So back in oooh about 2002, I rode this place with Julie and Martin in the pouring cold welsh rain!
I remember it well as it was the straw on the camels back that made me convert from v-brakes to disc- yes the trails had potential but it was wet, welsh wet and that meant v-brakes pretty ineffective, hands v cold and ride was ... let's say character building.

I vowed to return when it might be dry and I had brakes that worked.

Fast forward to May 2008, (yeh 6 years later!) a rare yellow globe glaring over the Welsh countryside. I camped nearby alone in a field rose early and hit the Syrffyddin trail for the 35km route.
I was pretty tired from the last 3 days covering over 100km of off road at Coed y Brenin (CYB) but when such rare conditions arise you have to hit the long one.
Wow! Was I rewarded! The scenery was so fantatsic and being a Tuesday I had the place to myself- really wild and remote, beautiful Llyns and did I mention the sun was shining and the trails were dry?!

By the time I finished I was out of water, tired legs, starving but with this huge smile on my face- the cafe was a welcome site for a big panini, cake, lucozade, ice cream and just in time to watch the red kites get fed.
I'm not kidding about 30 or so of them gradually appeared and hovered over my head!

Superb day- then a long drive home- so lucky I picked this week to take off work for a UK holiday.