Welsh Memories, Summer 2023

Denise organised what was the best and most populous Anerley tour since our Club’s visit to Selsey in 1892.

The accommodation was at the Londryll Activity Centre with every mod-con including an outdoor BBQ

Being situated in the centre of Snowdonia, adjacent to Mount Snowdon and Lake Padarn, it was an ideal base for us to explore the best that scenic Wales has to offer. It was only a short down hill bike ride to the lake with it’s legends of King Arthur and his Excalibur Sword. But a stiff climb back to Londryll !

This part of Wales has so much to offer cyclists. A network of dedicated on-road and off-road cycle routes, many being originally miners trails, or railways from the many slate quarries to transport slate roofing tiles down to the local coast for shipping around the world. A visit to the most interesting, free, national Slate Museum beside Lake Padarn is a must!

To join the main A5 and pass the hotel used as a base by the the team who conquered Mount Everest in 1953. Snowdonia had some of the most challenging, all year round climbs, on which to train.

The hotel base for the 1953 team who were first to conquest Mt Everest in 1953

Our accommodation was only a short bike ride from the coast at Caernarfon with it’s magnificent, World Heritage castle, and the the bridge across to the Isle of Anglesey – a destination for one of our day rides.

And another day was spent heading south with a long ride to the seaside town of Criccieth, with yet another castle!

Or for those who wanted a shorter ride, a circuit along part of the same route, which included a lovely tarmac cycle path. It was originally part of a slate quarry’s railway, one track still runs for rides on one of the Little Trains of Wales.

A great time was had by all, and we were very fortunate to have unusually hot and dry weather. Climate change does have it’s benefits!
And to end our visit, we had a last supper at Londryll with lots of food, big cakes and bottles of wine.

Memories of Summer 2023 – the Anerley Away Days in Snowdonia.

Des Donohoe, Ride Leader.