Bike trip from Criccieth to Harlech

On Wednesday 16th April 2008 I tested out my fitness and my 25+-year old bike on National route 8. As soon as I left the main B road I managed to get a puncture in my rear tube. I was in the middle of changing it when the local Sustrans rep, Doreen Lindsey, kindly stopped and offered assistance. I bought a replacement tube in the cycle shop in Porthmadog, had a coffee, and cycled on. From the cob Snowdon, covered in snow, reaching high into the sky, looked magnificent and I took a few photos.

Snowdon from the Cob

It was fun cycling over the bridge that carries the rail and road over the Dwyryd estuary. A 1 in 5 warning sign greeted me on the other side and I was forced to dismount. The roads were magnificent and I saw very little traffic but my 10 gears were not enough and I did a fair amount of walking.

The route takes you through a long wooded valley then up a steep climb until at the summit the views across Cardigan Bay and back to Snowdon were stunning. I decided to stop at Harlech, although it was only just after 2, as my original (ambitious) target of Barmouth was too far for my by now tired leg muscles.

A cup of tea, a trip to the beach relieved the wait for the train (cost £4) at 16.17 home.

Godfrey and I cycled from Barmouth to Harlech and I have cycled from to Dolgellau several times but the rest of National Cycle Route 8 remains a challenge.

Godfrey and me on the train to Barmout

Marlo, Emily and lunch stop along the Mawdach estuary

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