13°C, brisk S. Grey but mostly dry.
I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 41.30km, time: 01:47:27, pace: 2:36mint/km, speed: 23.06km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2824385746
Leave supper to reheat after a blast. Again, used the sea machines on the front. I have energy this time so next, build stamina.
12°C, bright start but front building. SW breeze brisk.
I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 50.27km, time: 02:09:21, pace: 2:34min/km, speed: 23.32km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2821770613
It was only 30 miles but it felt like a half century.. I stopped on the front to use some of the exercise machines, they’re rather good. It was quiet at 8am so I didn’t feel too self-conscious using them. They didn’t need any adjustment because many of them rely on body-weight for resistance. If you’re light, the resistance is low.
I walked with MapMyRide+! Distance: 11.96km, time: 01:59:57, pace: 10:02min/km, speed: 5.98km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2819841856
I woke very early this morning, up by 04.30 and invigorated after breakfast. I embarked on the wall even before coffee. Such is the effect of spring and the escape from a recent head-cold.
There were also some unwelcome colours in the canal.
Probably diesel from a barge.
By 7.30 I had done my good deed for the day. Passing a remote cottage, I spotted bank card in the road. Usually, these things are junk but this one was valid and signed. I did the obvious thing and went to the nearest house and knocked. The woman who answered looked worried at first. Perhaps she thought I was police. I was mostly wearing black. I asked by saying [his name] and she said “yes, he lives here“. His credit card was lying in the road and I reached it over. She must have realised and melted into gratitude. “Are you just out for a walk” you’re not police then?
The card was probably good for a few contactless purchased up to £30 each time before it got blocked. However, it’s worth more to hand it over and make somebody’s day instead. You don’t often get to do that.
8°C, NE cool breeze. Grey.
I rode kona Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 15.18km, time: 01:06:21, pace: 4:22min/km, speed: 13.73km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2816224618
I’ve had a filthy stinking cold. Today, day 10, sees me not fully recovered and I’m wary of ramping up the exercise to quickly. Too quick and it all comes back.
It was good to visit the RSPB ‘visitor centre. There were knowledgeable volunteers there who pointed out an Avocet and a Spoonbill. The latter is a funny looking bird, more so because they look so serious with that absurd spoon.
I came away with some plans in mind: put up some House Martin boxes and maybe remove brick from the gable end. That will make it possible for bats nest in my roof. Some people worry about House Martins because for a short time of the year, they drop guano. That is a problem easily solved by fitting a window box. The window box holds nice plants and the Martins drop regular fertiliser.
I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 38.16km, time: 01:33:12, pace: 2:27min/km, speed: 24.57km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2792221178
The going was good but it seems to have brought my cold back. It’s odd because I felt fine during, but after, all achey. It’s down to timing, and this one wasn’t right.
–8°C start, then warmth came through steadily. Mostly sunny once hill fog burnt off.
A very long day’s walk, it turned out later.
A cold night: g knew it would get cold, it reached -8°C by about 4am. I piled on all the layers g could but no more would fit in the sleeping bag. That bag liner was helpful.
First summit. Carnedd Llewelyn 1034m in hill fog but milky sun was trying to break through. Navigation was easy enough using slope aspect and my newly repaired compass.
Ridges and cornices:
Do I need to spell out how utterly beautiful the views were? I went for a few reasons
The walkout was, perhaps a little too long. However, I was driven right to the end by the urge to get back to the car before dark.
Bethesda: the route skirted the edge of the village because the ideal route is impassible. There have been no repairs to destroyed bridges on th sites Caseg forcing a detour West.
Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls): I’m not normally so impressed by waterfalls but this one (two) make it onto my recommended list. There is a well made path leading in from the north for tourists. Of course, I got there by the cross-country route from the south west.
Long walkout: The rest of the route is a long slog back to the car. The paths are nice enough, and as it turns out, the setting sun cast a fine golden light over the land.
Kit to remember next time: where did I put those little micro-towels? I had the wrong kind of gas too. This stuff had no pressure in the cold.
6°C start sunny patches. No wind.
Hiking in semi-winter conditions. The theme here is ‘no planning’. My first idea for a start was changed because of a closed road. There map a cross country running event that forced closures. Other people having adventures.
The next obvious car-park is far more remote near a roman road. It’s along track with very steep bits and all single-track. At the car-park, I got chatting to an elderly woman who wanted to hike there despite her recent his replacement. She keeps these years secret from her physician. I could have chatted more, but it was 12 and time to go.
I’m trying to use the Carneddau as a horseshoe. So far, the idea has worked. I’m now camped in the Lee of Carnedd Lleweddlyn by a crash site. It’s cold, the sky has cleared and temperature has plummeted. Inside the tent is +1°C. Outside must be 5 below that. No wind though. Utter peace but no animals. I miss them.
This picture is taken on Foel-Fras in the Mountain Rescue hut. Don’t worry, I only went in to brew a cuppa. Despite there being ice on the inside walls, it felt considerably warmer than outside. I headed for the lake on the east where we wild-camped on my ML training course, summer before last.
7°C, rain.
Pitched near Betwys-y-coed on the banks of the R. Conwy. Can’t really tell how good this place is because I arrived in the dark. Tonight’s rain should be the last of it this weekend.
9°C, still with clear blue.
I rode Paddy Wagon with MapMyRide+! Distance: 35.11km, time: 01:25:47, pace: 2:27min/km, speed: 24.56km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2761348144
Set a brisk pace after a good day with other stuff that has gone well today.
12°C, white cloud and moderate S breeze.
I rode the Mustang with MapMyRide+! Distance: 90.50km, time: 04:05:31, pace: 2:43min/km, speed: 22.12km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/2757600181
Late start but a decent length ride that’s only possible with these later sunsets. This has been a refreshing spring day.
Micycle 