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It might just be my age, but the hill starting from the switchback just beyond the rocky alcove/slight cave thing near the end of the Llandegla Red route has got well tricky.
It took me 7 attempts to get up it this afternoon, and I really thought it wasn't going to happen. The right hand line has a section of bright yellow polished tree root showing that everyone was skidding on and falling off. The left option was slippy as hell and I just couldn't get up it until I'd taken almost all the air out of my tyres and taken multiple attempts.
I appreciate this thread is sad on many levels, but not as sad as I'd have been if I finally had to admit defeat. 🙂
* so named in our family as, about 7 years ago, I promised the kid three quid if he managed to clean it. He never managed it on his 24" wheels but the first day out in his new Trek with clown wheels (26") he got straight up it.
We was there last weekend after 3 days of riding with lots of climbing. I rounded that corner and my heart sank. Instantly admitted defeat and walked it. So unlike me.
It just looked steep and slippery and with my energy level undoable.
it's totally weather dependant. Sometimes you get to that bit of the trail, and know it's coming, and then you're past it, and wonder if somehow you've missed it, other times it's just a walk. There's no way I'd attempt it 7 times.
Sadly once the chipped ebikes started arriving so much of Llandegla is getting worn away, lots of places there is ebike 'shortcuts' which defeats the point of a managed trail.
Yes it looks nasty but is do-able
lots of places there is ebike ‘shortcuts’ which defeats the point of a managed trail.
Sort of makes sense if they'd make them official. Give them a steep straight-line to show of the power of the motor. And leave an intact interesting trail for normal bikes.
Swinley seems to have given up and gone this way, the switchbacked climbs (R25, and the last bits of the blue) both have straight-lines that run directly up to the top avoiding all the corners.
Did you.hold onto the handrail at the bottom? We aways said if you did this the climb wouldn't happen.
I’m just impressed that you get stuck, then go down for another shot! First time there a year ago I cleaned it no problem. Have not managed it since. I blame that slippery root that blocks the obvious route up.
* so named in our family as, about 7 years ago, I promised the kid three quid if he managed to clean it. He never managed it on his 24″ wheels but the first day out in his new Trek with clown wheels (26″) he got straight up it.
We had a $50 hill locally that I knew my kids didn’t have a hope of climbing. It’s tiny, but super tech and a total surprise on the track so few people could get it. Then some trail work turned it into a complete non event and the kids are trying to hold me to the $50!!! Moral is, keep the value of the hill very low.
Did you.hold onto the handrail at the bottom? We aways said if you did this the climb wouldn’t happen.
Not the first attempt
Yes the second attempt
Third time I collapsed onto it with exhaustion
Fourth time I hung my rucksack off it
Fifth time I hung my helmet and shades off it.
Sixth time I'd done a track walk and left the kit at the top in a " now or never" stylee.
I did elect to keep my gloves on even for my final attempt. Gotta keep some sense of dignity 🤔
🙂
Swinley seems to have given up and gone this way, the switchbacked climbs (R25, and the last bits of the blue) both have straight-lines that run directly up to the top avoiding all the corners.
its not really proper though, you go to Dyfi or BPW and tell the trail builders that you cant be arsed following their course and you made your own, it's the same response.
Last time I was there, the e-biker in front of me slipped on a root, and stalled, I cleaned it.
Horses for course, I think it's beaten me more times than I've beaten it.
Saw what i think is the cause, in full action last time I went there. In the past, i've always cleaned it with a bit of finesse, and a good struggle, but this time it was so chewed up and loose that i lost it 3/4 of the way up. I started pushing, looked back to see somebody on turbo, stomping on the pedals, spinning his wheel until he ran out of balance, and then proclaiming "Bit slippery, innit.". I did point out that his riding style was probably the reason it was slippery, but I think it fell on deaf ears.