Discussion
You've got to earn that descent!Snowdon website said:
Voluntary Restrictions
The high level use of the bridleways to the summit of Snowdon for off-road cycling has led to serious fears about erosion and the safety of walkers.
The following voluntary agreement to remedy the problem has been negotiated between the cycling organisations, the Sports Council for Wales, Gwynedd County Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority.
10.00am to 5.00pm from 1st May - 30th September - Please do not cycle to or from the summit of Snowdon.
From October to the end of April - Full access.
The pdf map will help you plan your day with a circular route which can include an ascent of Snowdon before 10.00am or after 5.00pm. Please use this map in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map.
So let me start again. In October, a friend and I are planning to ride Snowdon. What do I need to know?The high level use of the bridleways to the summit of Snowdon for off-road cycling has led to serious fears about erosion and the safety of walkers.
The following voluntary agreement to remedy the problem has been negotiated between the cycling organisations, the Sports Council for Wales, Gwynedd County Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority.
10.00am to 5.00pm from 1st May - 30th September - Please do not cycle to or from the summit of Snowdon.
From October to the end of April - Full access.
The pdf map will help you plan your day with a circular route which can include an ascent of Snowdon before 10.00am or after 5.00pm. Please use this map in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map.
Your chances of success are limited! I've tried three times this year to get up there (walking though, not MTBing) but every time the weather's been totally rubbish 
Even tried flying up there but with a 2000ft cloudbase, we were never going to see the summit.
So, being as though I've never managed it, this post is fairly pointless
However, if you get lucky with the weather, I'm sure it'll be great. Let us know how you get on 
Even tried flying up there but with a 2000ft cloudbase, we were never going to see the summit. So, being as though I've never managed it, this post is fairly pointless
However, if you get lucky with the weather, I'm sure it'll be great. Let us know how you get on Did this a few years back, just to kill some time whilst waiting for a mate who was stuck in traffic. I went up and down alongside the train (Don't know if there alternative routes). There was a sign indicating that cycling wasn't permitted (or words to that affect) during peak hours. Unfortunatly due to walkers standing in front of I didn't read it until on my way back down! Definitly worth doing. Although back then on a fully rigid with V brakes the descent made my arms ache.
As for what you need to know apart from access arrangements I'd say not a lot if the weather is good, just do it. Could be a touch miserable if the weatehr is poor but the up side is that would reduce the number of walkers that are likely to be in the way.
As for what you need to know apart from access arrangements I'd say not a lot if the weather is good, just do it. Could be a touch miserable if the weatehr is poor but the up side is that would reduce the number of walkers that are likely to be in the way.
Gooby said:
So do I pack a waterproof and a kendall mint cake, put water and tools in the camelback and go for it?
I should mention that Dooley the wonder dog will be a companion but I get the impression that I treat this like a steep hill?
People die on Snowdon every year, so don't under-estimate it if the weather changes. I'd treat it like any other day in the hills.I should mention that Dooley the wonder dog will be a companion but I get the impression that I treat this like a steep hill?
J111 said:
I'll happily sit corrected, but I don't think you can take bikes on the train.
Personally I'd go for the Marin trail in Gwydyr Forest, Snowdon's overpopulated with hikers and the summit is utterly grim.
Cant take dooley (dog) on the train, so the train is out!Personally I'd go for the Marin trail in Gwydyr Forest, Snowdon's overpopulated with hikers and the summit is utterly grim.
Edited by J111 on Tuesday 19th August 14:17
Never thought I would see this subject crop up on PH.
First off, there is a ban on cycling between 1000 and 1800 (it may be earlier) between May and Sept, that was introduced by the Park Rangers way back in the early 90's. I first rode an mountain bike off the summit of Snowdon in the mid 80's, having being brought up underneath Snowdon and the surrounding mountains and quarries. Most fun was coming off Elidir's summit in deep snow, which involved a lot of carrying to the summit but was hilarous coming down as falling did not really hurt with that much snow around (bar the first 50ft from the summit in the rocks). I digress.
Best paths for riding up, bar the railway line which is hard work with the sleepers, oil and grease from the train (misses the steps on the Llanberis path) is the Rangers path from over near Rhyd Ddu, comes up from the lake and its rideable all the way to the really steep bit coming up the south west ridge. There is also a path directly from Rhyd Ddu which joins up eventually with the Rangers path or you can miss the summit and cross the ridge between Snowdon and Aran and drop down the path that comes up from Nant Gwynant, very good technical descent (and this was in the days before disc brakes and suspension).
From Llanberis you can ride pretty much all the way to the summit using the railway line, be aware that trains still come early in the morning as they take away the rubbish from the cafe at the top and the cafe workers up to the summit (this is going back a while mind). The worst bit is the tarmc road, some horrendous sections of 1:3 and worse on the corners, even cars struggle.
One the other side is Elidir with a net work of tracks up through the quarries, its possible to ride up the old service slate service rode used by the engineers when they built the Dinorwig Hydro Electric scheme which joins onto the tarmac road which goes up to the surge pond about 1000ft below the summit. Great ride up and even better coming down (on tarmac or slate).
Some excellent rides down the Lleyn Penisula although this is going back a few years when we never saw another sole on a bike and before the MTB places opened in Betws-y-Coed etc, so probably frowned on now as we just rode sheep paths and used the compass.
In terms of conditions, go prepared, even on a nice sunny day in the valleys, it can 25-30 at the bottom, half that temp at the top and feel colder with the wind chill. We had some of the first Buffalo tops which we put on for the decents as it could get cold comng down, same with the hands, full fingered gloves help (as in the ones that are made for down hill racing). If I rode now would take a Garmin, a mobile + food, (flap jack is a personal fav) and tell at least two people where you have gone and when to expect you back. Weather is critical on a bike, have ridden in all weathers, horizontal driving rain ain't that much fun, unless you have the tail wind blowing you down hill. There are webcams on Elidir and elsewhere, part of the Hydro Electric scheme so you can check weather conditions from the comfort of a PC or look at the Snowdonia National park website. Joe Browns and other climbing shops normally have the daily weather forecast. Look out for the bloody sheep on the way down, not the brightest animals in the world and enjoy a monster cup of tea and ham egg and chips at Petes Eats in Llanberis when the day is done.
First off, there is a ban on cycling between 1000 and 1800 (it may be earlier) between May and Sept, that was introduced by the Park Rangers way back in the early 90's. I first rode an mountain bike off the summit of Snowdon in the mid 80's, having being brought up underneath Snowdon and the surrounding mountains and quarries. Most fun was coming off Elidir's summit in deep snow, which involved a lot of carrying to the summit but was hilarous coming down as falling did not really hurt with that much snow around (bar the first 50ft from the summit in the rocks). I digress.
Best paths for riding up, bar the railway line which is hard work with the sleepers, oil and grease from the train (misses the steps on the Llanberis path) is the Rangers path from over near Rhyd Ddu, comes up from the lake and its rideable all the way to the really steep bit coming up the south west ridge. There is also a path directly from Rhyd Ddu which joins up eventually with the Rangers path or you can miss the summit and cross the ridge between Snowdon and Aran and drop down the path that comes up from Nant Gwynant, very good technical descent (and this was in the days before disc brakes and suspension).
From Llanberis you can ride pretty much all the way to the summit using the railway line, be aware that trains still come early in the morning as they take away the rubbish from the cafe at the top and the cafe workers up to the summit (this is going back a while mind). The worst bit is the tarmc road, some horrendous sections of 1:3 and worse on the corners, even cars struggle.
One the other side is Elidir with a net work of tracks up through the quarries, its possible to ride up the old service slate service rode used by the engineers when they built the Dinorwig Hydro Electric scheme which joins onto the tarmac road which goes up to the surge pond about 1000ft below the summit. Great ride up and even better coming down (on tarmac or slate).
Some excellent rides down the Lleyn Penisula although this is going back a few years when we never saw another sole on a bike and before the MTB places opened in Betws-y-Coed etc, so probably frowned on now as we just rode sheep paths and used the compass.
In terms of conditions, go prepared, even on a nice sunny day in the valleys, it can 25-30 at the bottom, half that temp at the top and feel colder with the wind chill. We had some of the first Buffalo tops which we put on for the decents as it could get cold comng down, same with the hands, full fingered gloves help (as in the ones that are made for down hill racing). If I rode now would take a Garmin, a mobile + food, (flap jack is a personal fav) and tell at least two people where you have gone and when to expect you back. Weather is critical on a bike, have ridden in all weathers, horizontal driving rain ain't that much fun, unless you have the tail wind blowing you down hill. There are webcams on Elidir and elsewhere, part of the Hydro Electric scheme so you can check weather conditions from the comfort of a PC or look at the Snowdonia National park website. Joe Browns and other climbing shops normally have the daily weather forecast. Look out for the bloody sheep on the way down, not the brightest animals in the world and enjoy a monster cup of tea and ham egg and chips at Petes Eats in Llanberis when the day is done.
Gooby said:
A while ago I read an article in a cycling mag about riding Snowdon. It was very good and the photos stunning.
A friend and I have decided that we will spend a weeked in September (Before the snow?) and ride the route.
What do I need to know, what do I need to take?
A friend and I have decided that we will spend a weeked in September (Before the snow?) and ride the route.
What do I need to know, what do I need to take?
Edited by Felix7 on Tuesday 19th August 20:35
personally i cant see the point, there are far better cycle routes in the area which wont be full of walkers hell bent on getting in your way and trying to knock you off... even in october it will be very busy particularly on the llanberis path which is pretty uninspring to walk up and down let alone on a bike due to the surface, its very easy going at least to clogwyn station and only then does it get a little rocky. the last half a mile or so alongside the train track is dull. on the climb you will be surprised how many deaf walkers you will confront, that is to say that despite all your "excuse mes" etc there will stand firm and not get out of the way. the climb will be frustrating. the path isnt that wide and you will be braking heavily a lot on the descent, taking a lot of the fun out of it.
cafe isnt there at the moment (thank god) but is being rebuilt and construction work will probably still be going on in October. last winter they stopped for a few months as the weather was too bad.
as a walker who has summitted snowdon frequently, there would be nothing worse than seeing a guy on a bike charging towards me down the lalnberis path, does he know who has right of way? (for the record its the walker), will he slow down?, how confident a cyclist is he? has he even seen me?
as a mtber, there would be nothing worse than repeatedly coming face to face with the red sock brigade who are up for an argument believing that its a footpath not a bridleway and i am doing something illegal.
personally i would take the bikes elsewhere and climb snowdon via crib cogh for some thrills on snowdon.
if you need a B&B, "Tegfan" in Caernarfon is nice, 01286 673703 its clean and quite cheap, they do a good breakfast too!
cafe isnt there at the moment (thank god) but is being rebuilt and construction work will probably still be going on in October. last winter they stopped for a few months as the weather was too bad.
as a walker who has summitted snowdon frequently, there would be nothing worse than seeing a guy on a bike charging towards me down the lalnberis path, does he know who has right of way? (for the record its the walker), will he slow down?, how confident a cyclist is he? has he even seen me?
as a mtber, there would be nothing worse than repeatedly coming face to face with the red sock brigade who are up for an argument believing that its a footpath not a bridleway and i am doing something illegal.
personally i would take the bikes elsewhere and climb snowdon via crib cogh for some thrills on snowdon.
if you need a B&B, "Tegfan" in Caernarfon is nice, 01286 673703 its clean and quite cheap, they do a good breakfast too!
pablo said:
made lots of good points
Each year I try to do something interesting, this year I was going to learn to paraglide. It didnt happen, so climbing a mountain is going to be do-able with current work induced constraints. I have never climbed a mountain (I have ski'd from top down but it isnt the same thing). Though I agree and respect your advice - I just want to do it.Gooby said:
pablo said:
made lots of good points
Each year I try to do something interesting, this year I was going to learn to paraglide. It didnt happen, so climbing a mountain is going to be do-able with current work induced constraints. I have never climbed a mountain (I have ski'd from top down but it isnt the same thing). Though I agree and respect your advice - I just want to do it.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff