 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Either flat or some sort of easy trail centre like Brechfa Green.. anyone got any suggestions?
Any idea which of those are traffic free and flat?
I take it you've already considered the sustrans routes? Large parts of the lon las cymru (ncn8) are traffic free, as is large parts of ncn5 along the coast between chester and holyhead.
on the sustrans maps the green bits are offroad
Yeah, just looking at the map.. can't tell how flat they are from there though and there aren't any traffic free loops that I can see. Not necessarily an issue, but too many hills might be.
I've done the whole of ncn8 and can cofirm there are many many hills, lots of route is very up down up down soul sapping rides. The coastal route would likely be a lot less hills of course. I haven't done it but I think a lot of the offroad bits are along the sea front through Rhyl, llandudno etc.
edit: Usually with sustrans routes even the bits that are listed as 'on-road' are next to the road on a seperate cycle path with those hateful cycle barriers.
With kids? Just you? When? How far?
Mawddach Trail is flat, Caernarfon to Bryncir is a nice tarmacked path. It all depends what you want really
If it were just me I'd be on the Snowdon Ranger path 🙂 thinking of the wife and kids.. 5-8 miles or so, maybe 10. Mawddach sounds nice.
"Mawddach sounds nice", it is, a fabulously scenic bimble - do it from Barmouth and you get to cycle the railway bridge as well, nice pub 1/2 way http://www.georgethethird.co.uk/index.php
hope to be doing it again at end of Feb
Bethesda and up through the Ogwen Valley? Drinks and good kiosk at Ogwen pass and option to go to Capel Curig for proper food.
Bethesda and up through the Ogwen Valley?
Isn't that like a 300m climb?
Anyone know what the surface is like on the cycle path that goes from Trawsfynydd round the lake?
I'll be coming from the east and onward to Porthmadog and this seemed ideal to avoid main road, but will be on 25mm max tyres.
Hmm, tbh despite my house being near the start I don't know. It climbs up a bit towards the pass but it doesn't feel 300m worth. There's a mid section which is v.steep (my missus gets off and walks the 30mts or so) and another slightly longer steep section later of 120mts or so. It's the ride I take visitors on who don't ride and those two bits aside they're fine. They seem to come back happy!
Edit: a pic from this morning
[img] 
[/img]
The bit of the Lon Eifon trail [url= http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/lon-eifion-caernarfon#./lon-eifion-caernarfon?&_suid=142289147637503453635773464085 ]linky [/url] from Caernarfon south is lovely, but an out and back if you want to avoid traffic.
Flat, steam trains, no traffic.
Newborough Forest and Llandwyn Island on Anglesey are both fun - amazing beach, lots of places to explore and ride.
Saxbar is that the Trawsfynydd route?
Ogwen valley, old road from Bethesda I think.
How about the tow path of the Llangollen canal? Loads to see from Chirk and Fron aqueducts, Llangollen with Dinas Bran and the steam railway, onward to chain bridge and the Horseshoe falls. Loads of pubs and cafes on route too. Start at Fron or Chainbridge to avoid Llangollen parking.
Call me irrational, but my eldest can't swim at all, and isn't overly stable on the bike. So the thought of canal towpaths makes me worry about her falling in and sinking...
Yep, the Ogwen valley route. As mentioned, non cyclists will push a little bit, but only for short sections. Newborough Forest a good call though.
Just checked the Ogwen route - Sustrans 82 - 300m of climbing from Bangor, 100m from Bethesda.
Call me irrational, but my eldest can't swim at all, and isn't overly stable on the bike. So the thought of canal towpaths makes me worry about her falling in and sinking...
That'd be falling in and standing up in the Llangollen canal. It's only deep enough to swim if you really want to.
Even if you are only 5 years old?
Anyway - Ogwen clicky
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16426514131_ae8c858fd2_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16426514131_ae8c858fd2_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r2ybmT ]ogwen[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/11569254@N06/ ]molgrips[/url], on Flickr
Just checked the Ogwen route - Sustrans 82 - 300m of climbing from Bangor, 100m from Bethesda.
That makes more sense!
Just spotted this, seems there's now a map for the canal, not that you'd be getting lost.
[url= http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/files/wales/free%20leaflets%20and%20maps/Llangollen%20Canal%20WEB%202014.pdf ]Sustrans Llangollen Canal Map[/url]