hello all,
just after some opinions on this BW - not done it before - have done all the others up/down and I know that I am potentially looking at a struggle !
How rideable is it down / or not at all? Would prob go up it for the first time and down either the llanberis / ranger...
cheers
paul
You wont ride much of it as an uphill, there are lots of steps, slabs, loose boulders and a bit of bog.
As a DH it's great apart from a bit of a walk/carry through the very uppermost section. You can get through those aforementioned features with applications of speed, weight back off the saddle and the odd dab. It is tougher than the Ranger Path and much tougher than the Llanberis Path.
I'd go up the Llanberis Path (with a bit of railway line action this time of year), down Rhyd Ddu and then back up the Ranger Path until the righthander to get you up, over and down Maesgwm (aka Telegraph Valley) and back to Llanberis.
This time of year it is a proper mountain so take the right emergency backup kit.
Thanks ! I did cadair idris this sat and the ranger / llanberis / telegraph valley this sunday ! we took all the gear and some ! I know and respect these mtns an awful lot !
sounds like I may hike it first to scope it out
cheers
paul
Well done, a busy weekend. With Cadair under your belt it sounds like you have the legs, lungs and determination to get up Rhyd Ddu but it is better as a down. Perhaps if you will be alone mid-week then the hike would be a good idea but otherwise with your knowledge of the Llanberis start and Maesgwm finish of the suggested route you really could enjoy the Rhyd Ddu descent in the middle. I just didn't want to recommend something that would for many people would be their worst 6 hours with (not on) a bike! Go for it, being the South ridge it gets the sun even in the winter so is not too gloomy.
Jimm