That sounds hardcore, but a great idea, especially combined with the camping. Only 1 problem from my point of view, and thats the Llanberis ascent. Its tedious, long and tiring, with no riding opportunity and no real challenge. I walked it once, and I swear I’ll never do it again. So, on the morning when the rest of the group meets for the ascent, I suggest that those of us looking for a nicer ascent (hopefully the whole group) can maybe bus it from Llanberis to Pen-Y-Pass, and ride/climb the Miners track. Its faster, much more enjoyable from a riding, scenery and technical challenge point of view and you lose a lot of the touristy ‘stroll up the mountain after sunday lunch’ feeling that snowdon can suffer from on busy days.
The Miners Track is not bridleway all the way, only the easiest bit from the car park to part way along Llyn Llydaw - the rest is footpath and should be respected as such. If you are looking for a more interesting and challenging walk up the mountain, sling your uni on your back and take the Pyg Track to Crib Goch then follow the ridge until it joins the Llanberis Path and Miners Path close to the summit. The Llanberis Path is the only route down that is mostly ridable by mortals - Joe Marshal doesn’t count. That way you get the best walk to the summit and the best ride down, including a tea-stop at the summit and another at the cafe near the top of the tarmac section before you get down to Llanberis.
This is all getting a bit silly… are we still doing the Llanberis path on Sunday or what? Presumably Carl needs to know what’s going on as he suggested the whole thing in the first place. I still haven’t heard anything from him.
Phil: If you’re still going up on Saturday then a lift from Worcester at 11:15ish would be very nice. There’s no way I can make Friday, and I need to be back on Monday. I think it might be easier if I just go on the train - I don’t want to end up stranded when it turns into a week long event
I can only do the Saturday and Sunday too, so I’ll be going up there on Saturday and coming back on the Sunday when we’ve finished. Rob and Joe, you are welcome to a lift in whichever directions suit you.
I really don’t mind which paths we do; I actually quite like just doing the Llanberis path because on the way up it’s an easy walk with lots of rideable bits and the way down is a blast. If other tracks require faffing around to get to and from I’d rather just stick with the normal way…
Cool. Thanks Phil - count me in for a lift from/to Worcester at 11:17ish, assuming the time suits you. I’ll book my ticket. See you there - is Worcester station easy enough for you to get to?
Are you planning on camping or do you want a B&B place? (I’m leaning towards the B&B so I can travel extremely light (probably stay in the same one as domesticated_ape)).
That time is fine by me; the station is dead easy to get to so that shouldn’t be a problem. A B&B sounds like a good option… travelling light has nothing to do with it, I’m just a big wuss…
Strangely enough a year ago tomorrow some friends and I went to Wales for a few days camping and cycling, and while it was a bit parky I’m sure it wasn’t as cold as it is now! There’s still a smattering of snow around here and it’s bitterly cold cycling to work in the mornings, so I think the tent can stay packed away until it gets a bit warmer…
I think whatever happens, on the Sunday we should follow Carl’s plan, given he’s the original organiser, it’d be a bit rude to do otherwise. So on the Sunday, unless we hear otherwise, 10 o’clock in the carpark at the train station. I’m unconvinced we’ll make it up to the top by 12.30, especially with a bit of a group, but a 10 o’clock start gives us plenty of time to get down and not finish too late.
I hope it warms up a bit, or else I might have to take the fleecy sleeping bag liner, which will add weight.
Rob, when you say a ‘b+b in Llangenith’ do you mean Llanberis? or somewhere else, I can’t find Llangenith on the map.
If you guys are staying in Llanberis, I might, dependent on legs and whether the other two descents are both worth riding, ride over that way for the Saturday evening. We could all go t’pub in Llanberis on the evening, even if we don’t manage to meet up for a ride on Saturday.
Er… I’m not sure. I was just taking Liam’s word for it, as he is being generous enough to investigate B&Bs. I assumed Llangenith must be near Llanberis. Now you mention it, it would appear that Llangenith (or Llangennith) is in south Wales… I’ll send him a PM to check.
for those that may not have been on the orginal email list. Sent today at 5.00pm from Carl.
Hello Everyone. Sorry for not updating you all sooner but I have been so busy getting things ready for university.
Ok I have made some final arrangements and I have all so got in touch with the local papers.
OK, on the Sunday we will meet at the car park across the road from the Snowdonia mountain railway in Llanberis, At 9.30am. We will be setting of hopfully from there at about 10.00 along the Llanberis path to the summit.
There are two resons for this route. 1, there will be a lot of people arriving in cars, and I feel that the car park at the top is to small. and 2, we would have to get back to the cars after riding down the other side. I am hoping for a large turn out in people that will be coming to watch and participate in the Snowdon trip. I just hope it all goes to plan.
I am trying to get in contact with the press. I am hoping that they can some how help raise money.
After getting to the top I expect we’ll all need a bit of a rest before the desent. I have a few people coming up with cameras and video cameras from college. If any one has or knows how to attach a video camera to a helmet or a unicycle that would be great. We are making a film in college and hope that we could get some film from the Snowdon trip.
After reaching the bottom I have not thought it out yet. But maybe have somthing to eat at the cafe then we open to surgestens.
All I need to say now is if I can have the names of all the people who are going to unicycle down snowdon with me. And if you can send me your address I can send you a sponsor form in the post this week.
I hope thats everthing, but if you can think for anything else that I might need to arrange that would be great. It’s the frist time I have done somthing this big before and I am a bit nervus.
I want to go here at some point but it’s only open till 8 which makes it not reliable if people are doing rides and stuff beforehand. It’s described in various places as ‘the best cafe on earth’ or other similar things and having ‘very big portions’ http://www.petes-eats.co.uk/index.asp
Hello Everyone. My name is Carl if you don’t know me already I am the one arranging the trip to go down Snowdon.
I have to say I did not expect such an out come of people who want to come along with me. I am new to this site and I have just joined.
I have tryed to e-mail back every one who has sent me mail, but I have had some problems with a few e-mails and they would not send. (My I have wrote the wrong mail address)
I have arranged to go to Snowdon on the 9th of april on the Sunday. I will meet at the carpark in Llanberis, arcroos the road of the Snowdon summit trainstation at 9.30.
I am doing this for Cancer research and originally was only going up with a friend and myself. Cathy wood has kindly asked everyone here if they would like to go with me to help with the Sponsorship. But as I say I did not know there would be such a turn out in people who are interested in going.
I am going up the Llanberis track because I have students from my college coming with me doing a sponsored walk for cancer research and there are some college photographers coming to film and take pics of the route.
Also ITV are going to film us HOPEFULLY going down and that is the place they will be meeting me.
I have never in my life done anything or arranged anything like this before and I hope that you are all cool with this. I am very nervous and I hope thatr it all goes to plan.
You should all know my plans of where and when I am meeting, so the rest is up to you if you need transport or a place to stay. I am very sorry but I am snowed under here with college work as I am going to Uni this year. I hope you all can understand.
Thank you all kindly for all your support. If you need any more info my E-mail is bonaparte06@hotmail.com. I would like to send the people coming with me sponsor forms to help with the charity. But if I can’t get them to you in time you are still welcome to come. But if you know anyother way to help just let me know.
I would like to thank you all again for you support. And a special thanx to Kit Johnson and cathy wood.
Where is everyone camping? There’s a few on google, but it’d be cool if everyone who’s camping stayed in the same place. If no-one’s made any plans, then I’ll just book a random one and post where it is in case anyone fancies joining forces.
We should name a pub for Saturday night, and a rough time to be there by so we can all meet up. I have no idea what’s what in Llanberis, so best plan is the first person to post a pub name gets to choose!
Cheers,
Matt
Ok i’m interested, but i think i’ll have to ride daily till then to get my fitness up,
I would like some info, i’m gonna go down from liverpool and if you need a lift, better yelp
If someone could give me a email fantasticola@hotmail.co.uk or a ring on 07804110305 with some of the details. I’ll have to arrange the correct gear and it’s still a little early in the year, and it’s gonna be cold and wet by sure.
Carl - you’ve done all the planning that anyone needs, a time and a place. I’m sure it’ll go fine.
Matt: Howsabout 8.00pm, at the Heights Hotel in Llanberis on Saturday.
I’m hopefully not going to be camping in a traditional manner, I’m going to be bivvi-ing in a woods somewhere. Probably two different places on Friday and Saturday night if all goes to plan.
Travelling for most of it
Actually I’ll be in Phil’s car from Worcester upwards, so looks like I’ll be there early afternoon, 2 o’clockish. A few people are keen to go for a ride, but I don’t know if anything definite has been set up.
That way you get the best walk to the summit and the best ride down, including a tea-stop at the summit and another at the cafe near the top of the tarmac section before you get down to Llanberis.
