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Ranger path isn't that dangerous, unless I slip while carrying my bike 😉
It's not just a 'big hill'.
It's a mountain.
Just because it's got a railway and a caff doesn't mean it can't be dangerous.
Ice & snow on the Llanberis (railway) path above Cloggy is particularly dodgy - some very experienced people have fallen there, because it looks so benign and you can't see the extent of the drop, or stop yourself if you start to slide when snow is on the ground.
I'm nowhere near good enough to ride down the Rangers path, but walk it a couple of times a year - compared to somewhere like CYB I'd personally say it's way beyond anything you'd find in a trail centre because of the loose surface, unpredictability of the conditions and the potential consequences of getting it wrong.
I've got genuine respect for anyone who attempts it, but you need to show it a bit of respect in return.
Steeper than it looks in the videos too.
EDIT, The ice cream shop opposite Pete's is excellent and have a play in Dinorwic quarry if you've got time, it's ace.
The chippy's pretty damn fine as well.
You can get spare tubes at the bike hire place in town, near the lake if you run out.
I like the comment about what's between your ears being important. A bit of common sense goes a long way and the advice about riding with mates is sound too. Something I should have remembered up Braeriach last year while negotiating a snow field on a steep banking at the head of Glen Einich where I ended up having to inch my way along between the steep slope and a big bank of snow and ice which had come away from it, post holing my handlebars into the snow to stop my bike from skittering down onto the boulder field below. Stupid bugger, I thought to myself as I could have taken a slightly longer but easier route. 😆
At the end of the day, have fun, take pics and tell us about it after. 😀
Go with kit for changeable conditions... this was Christmas day 2007, cracking day, hike a bike up Rangers...
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To this....
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To this....wheeee!!
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Take all day ride stuff, plus more tubes. Have only punctured once but still take about 4 tubes. Good bits of kit for the way down was the goggles as the wind was blowing a hooly so was good to be able to see properly, leg warmers as you're not pedalling much but get cold (if you're doing it in sub 10 degree weather). Done it a few times now, every time i say I'll do it on flats next time for the bits you have to walk.....one day I will use flats.
Also, go Christmas Day, you have the place to yourself 🙂
A warm coat?
Planning a trip in May. Given the ban, what time would we need to start in order to get down by 10am? Is it worth it?
It snowed there pretty heavily on Sat night / Sun morning, only above about 1000ft though.
The most valuable thing you can take is another human being.
+1 for Petes Eats, the monster omelette comes recommended.
Dear god! There's some proper fannies on here. Whats the worst that can happen? You get a bit cold? You run out of tubes and have to push your bike down a bit? MTFU!*
dday - we got down on Friday night, got leathered at the pub in llanberis, kipped under the stars in the field next to it (didn't even bother with a bivvi bag) Then woke up when the sun came up, grabbed our bikes and headed up. Set off before 6.30. Plenty time
* or alternatively do it in July. Like we did 😀
dday - we got down on Friday night, got leathered at the pub in llanberis, kipped under the stars in the field next to it (didn't even bother with a bivvi bag) Then woke up when the sun came up, grabbed our bikes and headed up. Set off before 6.30. Plenty time
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:swoon:
My two mates went through my supply of spare tubes (after their own) on Telegraph Alley.
I always take a wind proof and spare layer since it get get very windy and therefore cold at the top. Winter gloves too since most of the time I can't feel my fingers coming down from the summit!
A real man wouldn't use shaving foam either 🙂
Chainsaws are gay! I've now upped the ante a bit. I have the grim reaper turn up every morning and shave me with his scythe, while I insult his mother
Its ace! Ranger is one of my favorite descents in the country. I've never came across anything as remotely technical at a trail centre.
space blankets are a bit useless, buy a proper emergency bag instead, pretty much the same size as a blanket and will last forever or until you need it.
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Lowey's advice from yesterday is good advice - park at the Ranger Station.
You'll probably use more tubes on Telegraph Alley than later on the Rangers descent, mainly because of the speed and number of drainage bars. Each clumsy strike and there goes another tube.
I managed to put a half inch incision in the tread of my rear (spesh storm tubeless)on that bit when we last did it in January. Not a pinch-flat, a pure flint cut!
The Rangers path is great. Flats aren't a big issue on there as the occasional techier bits have to be taken slow anyway. IIRC there are only two rocky steps that might have you dismounting, maybe 5 metres max of walking. The rest is just pure fun. Enjoy.
Too dim to understand that the most important bit of safety kit you have is between your ears.
That says to me that you know the importance of being prepared. 😉
Just because it's got a railway and a caff doesn't mean it can't be dangerous.
I'd go so far as to argue that it lulls you into a false sense of security. On training for the Welsh 3000s we met a load of scousers in tees and trainers where the paths merge from Crib Goch (our route up) and the railway track (I forget the correct name). Half of me was impressed because they were obviously suffering but getting on with it, and the other half was in a state of amazement be because they were obviously cold and carrying nothing other than the odd jacket or carrier bag.
I'm nowhere near good enough to ride down the Rangers path, but walk it a couple of times a year - compared to somewhere like CYB I'd personally say it's way beyond anything you'd find in a trail centre because of the loose surface, unpredictability of the conditions and the potential consequences of getting it wrong.
IIRC there are only two rocky steps that might have you dismounting, maybe 5 metres max of walking. The rest is just pure fun. Enjoy.
Aah, good old STW consensus!
I walked up Snowdon in March. There was a woman up at the top in shorts and flip flops! 😯
Do it, it's ace.
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3234/2964096418_71ce8bb17b_z.jp g" target="_blank">
Don't forget to set up base camp and do several equipment drops prior to the attempt itself.
Don't forget to set up base camp and do several equipment drops prior to the attempt itself.
And recruit some locals to carry your bikes to the top. 😉
recruit some locals to carry your bikes to the top
That is probably the best bit of advice on this thread.
If you go to the pub in Llanberis on Friday night, then nothing that can happen on Snowdon, in fact Nothing that can happen [i]ever[/i] will scare you
Mike D is it all like that? That looks almost a complete opposite to the kind of trails I like to ride 0_0
I read this as 'Swindon - 'essential' gear' 😯
Harpoon gun
Breadcrumbs for retracing your steps
Coloured beads for bartering with the locals
Shinythings doin' it when we went up first Monday in October
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i don't think you joke about going up Snowdon!!!
i for one will be applying strict rules as to what to take,hence i will be taking my 30L camelback full to the brim with all the equipment,should i fail and have to sleep up there.
my other half wont ride it with me as he's not as keen as me 😥
No its because she doesn't want to have to deal with all that shit. Take a chill pill.
Huh i was only stating a fact that it's no joke,taking the essential equipment is vital for doing this kind of biking.
and she is a he!
Seriously you really don't make it sound fun. While I agree that you should be prepared I also think that you shouldn't go over the top as it takes the fun out of it.
Oh and apologies for misreading and typing she.
apology accepted 🙂
fun,preparation,full equipment sorted.
Mike D's picture is just before what is possibly the hardest section, but its only relatively short, and theres a chicken run anyway.
The rangers path is not remotely like any trail centre I've ridden. There are some superficial similarities between some of it and the munsters sections of CyB from back in the day before they were re-worked. If you're used to being fed a line by trail centers, Rangers will, IMO, be a very rude awakening for you.
If you're uncomfortable with moderately slow, steep wheel drops, sometimes at the balance point and often threading through smallish gaps, with little run-out and not much space before the next drop to compose yourself, or if you favour flow, then you're not going to have much fun on the rangers path.
So as not a huge technical rider, who fancies doing this solo, in a reasonable amount of gear / not hungover way how doable is it.
Is it like a Fort William mandatory air type thing or can I ride and drop etc...
Kind of fancy it 🙂
Honestly, if the weather is clear it's a scream - go for it - its proper mountain biking.
Just tell someone where/when you are going, take a little survival bag and a fully charged phone in case you cant walk or ride out; just like you do on normal rides. The only real difference to a "normal" riding outing is that it can be unusually cold and windy so dress appropriately.
OP if rangers path looks a bit technical, give the llanberis descent you've climbed a go down. I've done both a few times and find the extra speed and flow much more fun. If I'm honest, the llanberis descent is probably my favourite ride in the uk. I cant wait to go again in a couple of weeks:)
On a HT I would suggest a DH tube in the rear run at 30ish psi rather than a xc one at 40, the extra give will make a huge difference to how much fun you will have on the descent.
Snowdon Yesterday was brilliant. Only problem is I left all my Bottle and techinque at home.
Seriously though, I last rode the ranger track Oct 2009 and its had a battering since. Lots more loose scree and the technical switch backs have got a whole load more drops.
For example... the slab in the picture...
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2602/4032045714_1297281808.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4032045714/ ]snowden 025[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
Is now about 2 foot above the surrounding path level!
Wonderful Inversion yesterday... we even saw Broken Spectres.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6827491680_354b06cd34_o.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/6827491680/ ]2012-03-11 14.51.07[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
Is that a Bogtrotters ride? Where's Obelix?
Bog trotters?? no mate..
OH fame at last [ it me in the pic] and stop organising rides when I have the kids
We did it a couple of weeks ago, the weather was grim and in hindsight we probably should have turned back... 60mph winds, horizontal freezing rain like shards of glass pelting you in the face etc.
I had an expensive & rather painful encounter with a rock near the top... I'd suggest packing spare wheels and helmets in the car if you are planning to ride somewhere else the following day!