Cycling in Staffordshire is not like Devon. There are hardly any hills. We sped along at an average speed I am not used to for the first 60 miles. We passed through Newport and Wem. The hills appeared as we entered Powys and there was a steady climb to Lake Vyrny where we stopped for lunch. The BBC, as they are known locally, have a fantastic group of supporters. We were cheered and filmed as we went and at lunch out came tables, chairs, drinks and food.
After lunch, we climbed up into the hills on small minor roads as we headed for Bala. It was slow steady progress but going downhill on the other side was another matter. One cyclist reached 47mph but he had to be brave to dodge the potholes and stray sheep.
After Bala, we climbed again into scenery that I just love. It was wild and remote. We were rewarded with spectacular views of the mountains set in mist. We pedalled to Llanrwst where there was a spectacular downhill. We thought that the final 10 miles would be an easy ride along a river valley to Conwy and Llandudno but there were two final hills entering Conwy that needed an extra boost from our tired legs.
I want to give special thanks to Balti Bike Club for allowing me to join them on this challenge. The next part of my "Challenge The Dragon" is to cycle from Llandudno to Chepstow and Bristol. My route is shown below and it retraces through Snowdonia, then heads south through the Cambrian Hills and Black Mountains.
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