am off with a mate in a couple fo weeks time - can anyone point me in the right direction of a good cheap bike friendly place to stay. Within a stones throw from a pub?
Last time I did a Coed Y Brenin trip we stayed at the Dolgellau YHA. Fair way out of the town and no pubs but the hostel has a licence and the booze is reasonably priced. About 20 minute drive from the trail centre.
Dolgellau itself might has plenty of pubs / b&bs that might be bike friendly.
Llys Ednowain in Trawsfynydd.
Independent YH, fifteen minutes down the road. Fantastic facilities, bike cage, lovely staff!
£19 per night.
[url] http://www.coedybrenin.com/ [/url]
Stayed at botht he 'bungalow' and the old miner's cottages. Basic, nice aga though. Almost on the MBR route, lovely valley, pub is 10-15 mins ride away through.
www.cadairviewlodge.co.uk
Cae Gwyn Farm is really nice but the pub is a bit if a trek
Torrent Walk Campsite, behind the Little Chef on the main road just before Dolgelleau, has a nice B+B, bike wash, secure storage etc. Is about 15mins from CyB, but for pubs I'd try somewhere other than whats on offer in Dolgelleau...was seemingly full of small-town-angst-syndrome shell-suit boys when we tried there.
Theres a Pub/B&B on the main road just before CyB, Tal-y-Bont I think its called.
Tyn-y-Groes hotel/pub. Ride across the road and virtually straight onto The Beast.
Tyn-Y-Groes is superbly placed and has decent beers on. Food isn't too bad either and its relatively cheap. Otherwise theres a holiday park just up the road at that place above beginning with T - they rent wooden chalets and theres a pub at the top end of the site. Bit of a ride from the trails though (unless theres a way to cut cross country?).
Tyn-Y-Groes is superbly placed and has decent beers on. Food isn't too bad either and its relatively cheap
Agreed. Always had an impeccable welcome there.
Otherwise theres a holiday park just up the road at that place above beginning with T - they rent wooden chalets and theres a pub at the top end of the site.
The horror......the horror.....Possibly the worst pub meal I have eaten. Cabins feel like you're in some scary POW camp!
Cae Gwyn is very nice, as is this place;
http://www.glynyraur.com/ Superb in mid-winter in the snow, equally so in the summer. It's one hell of a trek to the pub, mind you!
+1 for Bullhearts suggestion in Trawsfynydd (spelling?!).
There's a pub & a hotel with a bar in the village, plus one of two convenience stores & an HSBC cash point.
http://www.bikers-retreat.com/accom/index.htm
In Dolgelleau, highly recommended. Drying room, tools, bike cleaning area, can store bikes inside, good food, cheap bar, very friendly owners
Oh yeh, Flash, the whole place is a sh*t hole but it was cheap and sitting on the grass watching the sunset over the mountains when we were there beat the dark valley where the TyG is! Plus semi-p*ssed night riding was fun.
Oh yes, that sunset! (Not that I was there at the same time as you....I think...!) About the only thing to recommend the place, IMO!
We use Glyn yr Aur or the Tyn Y these days. One other tip re Glyn yr Aur - If you plan on riding from the accomodation, on to the trails and then do a full day on the trails, that last climb back up the road from the old Karrimor trailside cafe is a killer!
And, finally, I apologise for any of the literary [s]g[/s]entertainment left in GYA.....