Green Laning Novice - Llangollen

[THE DOCTOR]

I picked up a DR350 a few weeks ago with the intension of doing a bit of 'green laning'.
Earlier this week I was looking through some old posts & I came across a track route posted in an old thread.
Perfect! That'll do for starters, so I downloaded it to my Garmin & today I set out into the unknown.

I've got to say - I've never gone off-road before so this was all new to me.

Boy it was good!

Rode out to Llangollen & fuelled up, turned the Garmin on & headed out towards the 'route'. There was quite a bit of tarmac to cover before I came across A GATE!

I sat there for a while wondering if it was OK to open it & ride on. I got my camera out & a few other bikes came blatting towards me from the opposite direction. If they're there then it must be OK I concluded.

Here I am at the start of this trail...

Must've been about 20 miles of mud, stones, sweat, water, fear & laughter.

I loved it.

Didn't take too long before I was sweating & wishing I'd brought some water (& a puncture repair kit) Those damn gates are a pain every couple of miles when you're as unfit as I am.

It's quite a long way to ride & at times I thought about turning back but I pressed on.

Looking back...

This was the last gate & it was a tricky mud covered downhill bit.

I'll be back there again - superb day.

 

[Gaz]

It's good that you got out but it's a very bad idea to go out on your own, especially as a newcomer to it.

Look out for group rides organised by Timpo, both on here and via Adventure Rider.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

It's good that you got out but it's a very bad idea to go out on your own, especially as a newcomer to it.

I agree!

I had the trail plotted onto my GPS & it was about 3 miles (seemed a lot more) so I could see how far I had to go before I hit some main roads again.

At a few points I concidered turning back but the further I went it made sense to push on to the end.

The trail was quite busy today, 2 4x4 came past in the opposite direction & I saw about 8 bikes but I was concerned by how long it took to cover any distance & I feared if I came a cropper I may be there as darkness fell.

Good advice Gaz, cheers.

Must've been about 20 miles of mud, stones, sweat, water, fear & laughter.

Just studied the route - it was 3 miles! (just felt like 20!)

 

[earthmover]

That would be the Wayfarers. I was out there on Saturday on the GS (only up to the stream crossing from Llanarmon DC) and on Sunday with Grimmy et al.
If you were passing the pub at around 2.00pm on Saturday, then you would have been the DR 350 I saw. My GS was surrounded by a group of 19 enduro bikes blast)
Mark

 

[robbie c]

That would be the Wayfarers. I was out there on Saturday on the GS

Mark

talking of someone who should know better

see you soon, in North Wales, probably

 

[louisdut]

talking of someone who should know better

Rob to be fair to Mark he was waiting for Mav & me fecking phones don't work in that area

 

[Jenkins]

Good to see the old girl back in her favourite environ...

Doctor,

Nice report - It was good to see the photos of the DR back in her favourite environment. It looks like you had a good day out, and I'm glad she looked after you!

Cheers,
Jenkins

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Went out again today to explore & link some trails together.
Jenkins, I've eliminated that front brake squeal - I pumped the front wheel bearings with grease & replaced the pads, one of those actions cured it! New wheel bearings on order.

The start of today's ride, bike all clean (for now)

The road led to this........

I was hoping Wideparting was going to join me this weekend but he's out looking for a pogo.

I really need a partner to help out opening & closing these bloody gates.

Today's ride was OK but not really inspiring, the 1st ride I reported on earlier was The Daddy!

£2 for a p155 poor weak jet wash.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

I returned to the hills today (see first post) to do it again in the opposite direction.
The weather was much better this time & the trail was drier.
The start at Llandrillo was the hardest part of the trail, a tricky uphill muddy stretch with rocks & gates thrown in for good measure.

Today I was testing out some new tyres & a relocated GPS position.

Both mods proved to be major improvements.

Does anyone know what this trail is called?
I've heard The Wayfairers & The Berwyns.

Very busy up there, loads of bikes & 4x4s but quiet enough to see a naturist off the trail!

High Ho Silver & all that!

 

[paul13]

I was riding some of the local lanes yesterday.

Fantastic experience. Wet rocks and wet slate a challenging combination lol. Those sleepers were very wet yesterday.