Lleyn Peninsular Cycle Tour - Aberdaron to Pwllhelli (via Abersoch)

What a treat it was to wake up to such a view! In an alpine style, we were forced out of the tent before 8:00am as the heat from the sun was intense inside. Sitting in the warm morning air, looking out to sea, we ate breakfast and speculated how hot it might get.

We took our time over breakfast - it was such an idyllic spot, it seemed a shame to leave too prematurely. 

Once fed, we set about packing all our worldly belongings back into our panniers.

And pushed back up to the road head.

Within a few minutes, we were back on the tarmac and speeding back towards Aberdaron. Another fill up of water bottles and we were ready to go. We did pull up at the bakers, which had been recommended to us, but there was already a queue out of the door. Instead, we set off in search of quieter roads. 

We took one last look down at (the much quieter this morning!) Aberdaron Beach, then found one almost immediately. There was very little in the way of traffic, but there was much in the way of uphill gradients! Climbing up around Mynydd Rhiw, felt like one of the hill climbs in the Tour de France. 

We battled onwards and upwards, churning around the peddles in our lowest gears as the sun beat down on us. It was quite a grind compared to Denmark!

Down at Hell's Mouth beach, we feasted on the remainder of our supplies. After sweating up the hills, our bodies were craving food and water. There was thankfully no surf, seeing as we didn't have boards with us.

The next stop was Abersoch, which was even busier than Aberdaron. Being on bikes had the advantage that we could easily bypass the traffic jams and congested car parks and get straight to the sea. We locked up the bikes and got directly into the water. We were so hot that we needed to cool down urgently. Abersoch beach was much less picturesque. As well as being very busy (in and out of the water!), it was lined with dilapidated beach huts. It didn't matter though, we got a swim, got out and biked down to a cafe for some food and shade, feeling much better.

The final stretch back to the van seemed to have even more hills, but maybe we were just tired by now. It seemed a bit cooler in land, but the van themometer was still reading 29 degrees! Unbelieveable Welsh temperatures - hotter than Sardinia last week!

An hour or so later and we were back relaxing in The Cottage garden, which felt like a peaceful sanctuary after Abersoch! A great tour, with another 40km ride (with 750m of ascent today!). 

Lleyn Peninsular Cycle Tour - Pwllheli to Aberdaron (via the north coast)

Back on 'the tour' today after a brief 'rest' from the weather. Having initially planned to do a three or four-day continuous trip, we made a good decision to return to base and then drive back out to restart in the sunshine. This time with camping kit and my new solar panel on the back.

Given the days either side, it's hard to believe that there was thunder and lightning all day long on Sunday, accompanied by some serious downpours at The Cottage. We were very happy with our decision to stay indoors (and our legs were glad of the rest too!).

Monday morning was a completely different scene as we cycled away from the village of Rhyd-y-Clafdy, a few miles west of Pwllheli. Inland, all was still, clear and gloriously warm. Within the first half an hour of riding, we had two close encounters with buzzards that we disturbed on the roadside - one nearly flew right into Clare!

Out towards the north coast, things were looking a little hazy and the fields were literally steaming as the sun evaporated yesterdays rain.

Feeling in an exploratory mood, we took a turn down towards the coast and were delighted to stumble across the tiny natural harbor of Porth Colmon.

It was the perfect lunch stop. The water was flat calm, with just the odd fishing boat launching and landing. In the distance, we could see a packed out busy beach, but somehow we'd found a secluded spot to rest.

It was tempting to just stay put, watching the birds fly by and a seal splashing around in the bay.

On onwards we peddled along the country roads. All of this section of the tour was on raods, so we had to keep an eye and ear out for traffic, but generally, the roads seemed to be little used. The only Bank Holiday traffic jams we encountered involved waiting for the cows to go in for milking.

Pulling in at the coastal village of Aberdaron was interesting. The place was packed! We had to weave in and out of the people, nevermind the cars. We took refuge outside the church, which had a very well placed bench that provided views and quiet space amidst the chaos. People were lined up side by side on the beach for as far as the eye could see. We stayed long enough to enjoy an ice cream and then set off further west after filling up our water bottles at the pub on the seafront. Having scanned the map for potential places to camp, we struck lucky on our first attempt.

Our 'undisclosed location' was within sight of Bardsey Island, yet out of sight of the rest of the world; we found a nice little flat spot on the cliff tops, where we decided to spend the night. Our next priority was finding an acess point where were could jump into the sea to cool down. A short scramble led us to a good ledge to launch from, where the rocks were baking hot, (but the sea still  very cold!)

Feeling suitabley refreshed, we returned to the bikes and set about cooking dinner, while watching the tidal races push past the headland.

We didn't see or hear anyone until we got back to Aberdaron the next day.

We just sat, chatted and stared...

Once the sun got low, we put up the tent and finally lay down. We'd not gone as far as the other day (but still a respectable 36km) but were still very happy to get horizontal - and believe it or not, out of the sunshine!

We watched the last of the sun dissapear from our sleeping bags, before falling asleep.

Lleyn Peninsular Cycle Tour - Caernarfon to Trefor

No sooner had I arrived back at The Cottage and got unpacked from rock climbing, then it was time to re-pack into cycle mode and head to the Lleyn Peninsular for a cycle tour with Clare.

Our original plan had been to spend four days touring around the coast, but with tomorrow's weather forecast almost guarantying thunderstorms and heavy showers, we decided to make today a day tour, going lightweight and returning to the comfort of The Cottage rather than spend the next day in a soggy tent! We set off from Caernarfon Castle, heading west along the Menai Straits. As we cycled, I was looking at the water and imagining Pete and I kayaking our next section, which would take us through this channel and out to the West Coast of Anglesey. Today there was a strong tailwind - great for biking, but making choppy waters for kayakers.

  

Although the cycle route is quite close to the main road west, it's on a separate track so safe from speeding cars. The long straight sections allowed us to get some speed on and we both enjoyed powering on under our own steam. We arrived in Trefor in time for a late lunch picnic by the sea. The weather was still warm and muggy and a few spots of rain fell after we'd eaten.

Curled up on a rock, we both fell asleep for twenty minutes after lunch as the raindrops fell. Thankfully, the rain didn't amount to much and we were both soon stripping off layers as the air temperature remained very warm even though there was thick hazy clouds above us.

From Trefor, we rode inland on small country lanes were we came across virtually no traffic (or people for that matter!); just the odd farm and house here and there. It felt really exploratory as we circumnavigated through the old woodlands and lanes around the mountain of Bwlch Mawr. 

Apart from the chirping of birds, all was silent as we rolled past the high hedges, which were all bright with wildflowers. We passed some amazing looking highland cows and big buzzards floated overhead. All the views looked different. Amazing that we were so close to home really.

We rejoined the Number 8 Cycle track at Bryncir (near the A487 that goes to Porthmadog) and took another rest by a river.

By now we were both starting to feel tired as we'd traveled 40km at this point. Sitting by the river, we ate the last of our supplies and psyched up for the final stretch back along the old railway track to Caernarfon.

It was a hard ride back, but we'd both said that we fancied pushing our bodies a bit, so couldn't complain. In any rate, it was a beautiful section of cycle path and being free from traffic, meant that we could take in the views much better. As we rode, a green woodpecker flew alongside us at one point! It was really brightly coloured. Finally, the turrets of Caernarfon Castle came into view and we rolled into the castle square under blue skysunshinehione. We were too late for any open air cafes, but the chip shop provided us with fuel in the form of sausage and chips, to enjoy on the castle steps, while looking out to sea. We felt like we'd just won the marathon.

There was live music playing outside the Anglesey Pub next to us, so we sat listening while eating chips, soaking up the evening sun and revelling in having completed our longest ever UK bike ride. The GPS had recored 63km and nearly 600m of height climbed too. We felt deservedly tired and revelled in the feeling.

Chips finished, we rolled over the foot bridge and into the back of the waiting van. Hot showers,  hydration, more food and comfy bed were our next priorities...

Big Slab Climbing at Poltrana, Sardinia

Last day of the climbing expedition that I am leading today. The flight back to Manchester wasn't until later, so there was still time to pack in plenty of climbing action. After getting the camp packed away we opted to go to the big slab area of Poltrana - where we had climbed on our first day. The climbs are amazing and the walk-in only short; there was even some shade to climb in too!

If you look closely at the photo below, you can get a sense of the scale - there's a climber down there somewhere!

We climbed a handful of single pitch routes, then I finished by taking a few of the keen lads up to a higher ledge for a final panorama and big abseil. It was a great note to finish on.

Before driving out of Cala Gonone, we made sure we squeezed in one last cappuccino and gelato, while we did our final review of the expedition. All that was left then, was to load up and head to Olbia. 

Unlike Clare's recent travel dramas, (two canceled flights from France and eventual arrival back in the UK but at the wrong airport!), we had a smooth transition across time zones and were greeted by John, our designated driver who very kindly took us all back on the late night drive to Wales.

Beach Side Climbing at Cala Fuili

It’s easy to see why Sport Climbing at Cala Fuili is so popular. The walk there takes only a matter of minutes and this is the view you get when you step out of the car!

After working our way through a selection of the climbs at the sector below the access steps, we walked the fifty metres or so down the beach and took a dip to cool off! 

We upped the anti in the afternoon, by moving into the realm of Grade 6 climbs. There were some really good, long routes right above the water that everyone took a go on before eventually burning out. It felt good to get a bit of a pump on. We retreated back to camp pleased with our efforts and in need of a shower.



Cala Fuili:

- Alcolica, 5b

- Fuochi d’artificio, 5a

- Ponili Peppe, 5a

- La Segreta, 5a

- Silja 6a**

- Alta Marea, 6a*

- Libeccio, 6b**

Climbing at Margheddìe ‘Non-Stop’

Despite there being the threat of rain all day, we managed to climb non-stop at a sector called ‘Non-Stop’ all day!

It’s a beautiful crag, perched high up above the sea, with brilliant views. We climbed every route on the crag, including a few more than once. 

By late afternoon, as hands were wore out, everyone became tired, including me (not helped by me leaving my water bottle in the van!).



As we pulled down the last of the ropes, a light rain began to fall, signalling that it was time to return back to the village...



...and have a well earned coffee and a flick through the guides at the climbers cafe.



Margeddìe Non-Stop:

- Zinggis, 5c

- Chiara, 5b

- Leia, 5a

- no name, 5a

- Bella Vista, (inc stacked abseil)

- Jo-E, 5a