u/gabwyn

Posted these in r/bikepacking a few weeks ago.

This was my first attempt at bikepacking, I cycled solo along the North Wales coast, from Llandudno area to Gyrn Goch on the Lleyn pensinsula towards the end of April.

Brilliant journey, beautiful mountain views, lots of historical sites (Conwy castle, Penrhyn Castle, Caernarfon castle, celtic and iron age forts, steam railways, religious sites along the old pilgrim route etc)

I chose this area because I regularly see the rivals mountains (Yr Eifl) in the distance from the top of the Great Orme (local headland) on clear days, and decided that I would like to see them up close. It was only when I got there that I realised that it was the same area where I have a lot of family history.

Journey was approximately 75 Km; this is10 km more than it should have been due to taking a couple of wrong routes and attempting a closed cycle path (first 2 barriers were ok, 3rd one was impassable).

I set up camp here and the second day day explored the local area on my bike; the Glyn Llifon estate, Llandwrog village (lovely pub there for a pint and a meal), Dinas Dinlle etc it was quite nice riding around freely without all that additional weight on the bike. I then set off back home on the third day.

This was really a test run to see if I can handle the Traws Eryri route in Summer (after my youngest son finishes A-levels and before he goes to uni).

Posting this from the back of the Great Orme (the headland next to Llandudno)

Only a 40 minute cycle from home. Can't beat the views in this area.

The last image is a zoom towards Yr Eifl (the rivals), that you can see on a clear day and are the Westernmost mountains on the Llyn peninsula.

Went to Plas Newydd a few days ago, a beautiful National Trust property. This was the country seat of the Marquesses of Anglesey.

The gardens are maybe not quite as impressive as the nearby Bodnant Gardens (another National Trust property), however the vistas and views of the Eryri mountain ranges are really spectacular.

Within the house itself you can visit the history of the Paget family starting with William Paget who was an advisor to Henry VIII and secretary of state. A lot of information and exhibits are related to his descendent Henry William Paget, who was the 1st Marquess of Anglesey who gained the title for his actions leading the cavalry in the battle of Waterloo and losing a leg.

There's an impressive mural painted by the artist Rex Whistler in one of the rooms (9th image in album).

Theres a nice woodland trail, that if you follow, opens out to a nice view where you can see as far as Yr Eifl (The Rivals), the westernmost mountains on the Lleyn Peninsula (15th image)

This was my first attempt at bikepacking, I cycled solo along the North Wales coast, from Llandudno area to Gyrn Goch on the Lleyn pensinsula.

Brilliant journey, beautiful mountain views, lots of historical sites (Conwy castle, Penrhyn Castle, Caernarfon castle, celtic and iron age forts, steam railways, religious sites along the old pilgrim route etc)

I chose this area because I regularly see the rivals mountains (Yr Eifl) in the distance from the top of the Great Orme (local headland) on clear days, and decided that I would like to see them up close. It was only when I got there that I realised that it was the same area where I have a lot of family history.

Journey was approximately 75 Km; this is10 km more than it should have been due to taking a couple of wrong routes and attempting a closed cycle path (first 2 barriers were ok, 3rd one was impassable).

I set up camp here and the second day day explored the local area on my bike; the Glyn Llifon estate, Llandwrog village (lovely pub there for a pint and a meal), Dinas Dinlle etc it was quite nice riding around freely without all that additional weight on the bike. I then set off back home on the third day.

This was really a test run to see if I can handle the Traws Eryri route in Summer (after my youngest son finishes A-levels and before he goes to uni). Main lesson were 1) I need to really increase my fitness and lose some weight, 2) I need padded gloves and to fit my bike properly including seat position (just discovered what the ulnar nerve is!), and 3) I'm going to need panniers as a shoulder bag for clothes was particularly uncomfortable.