Forum menu
As per the title really, I'll be staying in a cottage very close to the start of the main bike route up Cadair Idris in mid March so I'm wondering if it's worth trying to ride to the top?
Obviously if the weather is poor or has been prior to the time we're going then it's perhaps not a good idea. But if thing's have been OK is it worth it?
Main query is how long it might take. I've seen the route on youtube so I know roughly what to expect, fair bit of walking/carrying etc. I just thought with it on our doorstep all weekend that it might be worth doing.
Any thoughts?
It's Wales, it might be nicer in Mid-March than on 1st of August.. You never know, can't see that there would be a problem though, might just be a bit rainy.
Cadair isn't a great bike ride, it's an up and down same route but I've done about 5 times now so there must be something about it.
Actually I reckon its a great ride.
Starts out non techy, but steep in places, then gets a bit techy so you will have to carry for some short bits. Not far and its a nice break from pedalling as some of it is steep. Its easy to navigate even in the fog. The decent is probably 90% ridable. I did it last year in late Autum.
So I would give it a go and you can decide as your riding if its worth persuing to the top.
When I did it we had a bit of fog and very strong winds, so there was no view at the summit. But that made it seem more special. On the way down it was very fast and got faster as the trail got less techy and more swoopy. Then the fog cleared and the view was great.
I actually preferred it to Snowdon. Less walkers as well.
When I did it I took just under 3hrs of moving time and it was 25km with 1233m of climbing. I didn't race up or down, just took my time and enjoyed all of it.
I did it on my 29er Jeffsy, but any bike will do. A FS would be easier and you don't need lots of travel. Classic trail bike sort of ride to be honest.
Probably 80-85% ridable for an average to good rider. There are some sections where you can ride for about 10 yards, then you have go push for 5 yards then back on to pedalling for 10. So you might as well just walk that section. Its not far and dosent spoil the ride.
Give it a go, the worst that could happen is you give up and turn round. You would have to be special to get lost 🙂
If you're stopping at the bottom then you've got to give it a go really.
Might be a bit of snow on top of course, but just go up as far as you're comfortable and don't wander out onto a cornice at the top.
Report back on this thread.
2.5 to 4hrs depending on fitness & conditions for the whole ride, I reckon.
I also had a go at the Climax trail just outside Machy, that was great fun, then final decent had me laughing all the way down.
And the Dyfi forest area is quite well-populated on Trailforks, for sniffing out off-piste & enduro trails.
We did it on a Saturday in the first week of November in pretty miserable weather, culminating with sleet at the top. Made it all a bit of an adventure, I enjoyed it far more than the next day at CyB (which was lovely and sunny).
...and if anybody want to rent a cottage near there then..... just saying' 🙂
ttps://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g191275-d12091653-KYNASTON_COTTAGE_character_cottage_pet_friendly_close_to_beach_walks_and-Aberdyfi_Abe.html
Even installed a hose pipe and bike anchor...
I would have hoped it would be covered in snow at this time of year!
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px;">I would have hoped it would be covered in snow at this time of year!</span>
Yep
https://www.lookr.com/lookout/1495757460#action-play-day
if the weather looks too nasty to ride Cadair not too far to CyB for a more sheltered outing.
Cheers for the info. We're riding CYB on the Saturday and probably either Nant Yr Arian or ClimachX on Friday, maybe both depending on times. Just thought that on the Sunday we might as well give the big mountain a go.
We'll all be on a various mix of trail bikes so should be perfect tools for the job. Hopefully we'll get some nice weather. I've found a gpx file before of the route which I'll load onto my Garmin so we Donn't get lost.
I've done it, nothing to add to previous comments. But I notice you're staying in Aberdovey, that's a good 20 min drive to the start, there's riding direct from Aberdovey up onto panoramic view, and a possible link to the bridal way from happy valley over the top to bryncrug.
You should be fine. Only go to where you are comfortable though. The wind at the tops can feel very cold at the moment!
We're actually staying on a farm a short walk below the lake at Tal-y-llyn. The Railway Inn at Abergnolwyn is the local. Not a bad pub that.