Project Lighthouse

Brynaerau – Treheli – Brynaerau

Date:	20th – 21st May 2023
Distance	79 Miles
Ascent	5250ft
Lighthouses	None
Riders	Chris M, Tim, Dan, Sam, Steve, Chris J, Cindi, Lindsey Rob Paddy Rachel H, Helen, Paul, Sam, Emily, Rachel D, Ben, Kate, Paula, Rachel B, Mike Snr, Mike Jnr, Mike, Maria M, Maria L, Marg, Lucy, Kevin, John, Jo, Jim, Ian Gareth, Duncan, Bob, Anthony, Jane & Me

We can get, maybe, six people joining us on a ride which is lovely and very much appreciated. Always appeciated. Often we are just two because of the poor efforts at planning ahead.

What’s great about riding a peninsula is that we don’t need to worry about getting back to the start as it can be tackled as a circular tour. The Llyn Peninsula is one such place and, this time, the message went out to people nice and early. There had been a bit of publicity about the project so we ended up with the biggest team ever! 41 riders in all. I didn’t plan to have a support crew but Paula, Tim and Rachel took it upon themselves  to give their time to shadow us around in their van…..and thank goodness they did!

The other bit of the jigsaw we really really needed was a decent bit of the weather. We peddled out of a Ysgol Brynaerau school car park in the sunshine and out onto a sweet little country lane high up on the hillside long views out to sea. 

This was looking like it was going to work. Most of the riding was an absolute delight and we just had to negotiate an early section of main road with a cycle path and a monster hill before things would settle down. However it only took 15 minutes before Bens pedal fell off, then Emily got cramp and Margs tire exploded. Thank goodness for that support team (that now included Mike Snr as the bike shop courier and the brilliant Steve as the back marker/ fixer).

The peninsula is beautiful, glorious little bays and amazing views, so why I chose the arse end of it golf course car park for lunch I can’t explain. I guess it meant we didn’t hang around too long munching sandwiches instead of munching miles.

Next stop was Towyn Bay for ice creams and a quick dip. Then on to Whistling Sands for a team dip led by Ian who strode out into the briney like a sea god. Goodbyes at the top of the hill with John who had to pedal back to his car here’s hoping he can join us a again. Then it was on to the to the end of the peninsula and up Mynydd Mawr to get the view over Bardsey Sound and, blimey, a lighthouse! Sadly not on the mainland. A twisting, swooping descent got us swiftly into Aberdaron for fish and chips at Sblash washed down with a cold lager.

After filling our boots, the final stage to the campsite was somewhat raggedy but the final flourish was a clifftop campsite and brilliant welcome from the support crew. Wine, beer and rounders then kip.

Bacon butties eaten we head off along the south coast. A footpath takes us to Porth Ceiriad for the days dip before heading up and over the headland to Macroes to meet up for lunch. Through Abersoch, Pwllheli for Ice Creams in the sand dunes and on towards Cricieth where we turned inland and upwards to head back to the cars. It was a bit busy until we hit the disused railway line across the top. All was well, no mishaps all day… until the last half mile when Sam hit the deck. Snapped chain and beaten up knees. Not Nice. Few few drinks, photos and hugs in the car park and a long drive home. Thats a proper weekend. Thanks so much to everyone involved. I Loved it.