Pedalling paradise

Llechwedd Downhill Centre is due to open late May 2012 providing lifts to the top of the mountain with a choice of two black trails and two red trails to the bottom. Also on offer will be a jump-site and pump-track.  Not for the faint-hearted, this biking facility is aimed at the down-hillers and free riders. 

Downhill

For a more genteel ride you can enjoy the Tanygrisiau Lake Trail, a blue graded cross country mountain bike trail round (almost) the lake with 8km and 5km options. Planned opening is July 2012.

Even more genteel and unique to Britain is the velorail due to open September 2012. Basically a pedalo on wheels running along the disused railway track between Blaenau and Llan Ffestiniog and ultimately to Trawsfynydd. Two people cycle at the front whilst their passengers urge them on from the back.

Velorail

And of course there are all the new trails just down the road at Coed y Brenin. Pedalling paradise!

For information on any of these activities please contact Antur Stiniog on 01766 832214. They can also organise mountain walks, historical walks, canoeing/kayaking, caving and fishing. It’s all happening in the Vale of Ffestiniog www.VoFf.co.uk

Pedal Power

All sorts of transport have been used in the Vale of Ffestiniog including funicular inclines, gravity trains, ‘Car Gwyllt’ and steam trains. But these days it’s the turn of pedal power, not just the downhill biking, but velorail too.

Boys and their toys

Ceri from Communities First has taken delivery of a velorail vehicle from the south of France which is currently parked in his office. The design will be modified to suit local conditions (maybe a waterproof canopy?) and production will be local involving schools / colleges and no doubt the Ffestiniog Railway.

The velorail will run, initially from Blaenau to Llan Ffestiniog and eventually to Trawsfynydd, on the currently disused track that once ran all the way to Bala. With no freight to and from the old nuclear power station (closed in 1991 and being decommissioned) the line has become a bit overgrown so volunteers have been busy cutting back the buddleia. All being the well the service will be operational sometime in 2012. 

But surely Blaenau can come up with a better name than ‘velorail’?