Llangollen
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
North Wales has many fine sections of road, with great scenery, excellent pubs and loads of history to fascinate the two-wheeled visitor. This is a fairly short ride, easily accomplished during a Sunday morning, or as a lazy way to unwind in the afternoon, after a late breakfast.
The Route
Llangollen to Betws-y-Coed
Our starting point is Llangollen, which is a very tourist friendly town located on the River Dee. If you’re into steam trains or Dr Who, there are two major attractions catering to your needs here. From the steam railway station in the town, take the A road signed for Ruthin and the Horseshoe Pass. This rapidly climbs the pass, with stunning views available from the top but do watch out for sheep on the road!
At the summit, you will see the Ponderosa café on your right, which is a well known local bikers hang out, attracting over a hundred machines on a nice sunny Sunday. The food isn’t that exciting for my taste, but if you’re into the traditional breakfast fry-up, the Pondersosa will have all you need.
The A525 then gets seriously twisty for a couple of miles as it drops down the other side of the pass, which will convince you that this is a bit of top road. You’ll ride uphill to a mini roundabout, go straight on and take a left, joining the A525 signed for Ruthin. This is a little detour through the Nant-Y-Garth pass, a narrow, ultra twisty, three mile stretch which is a challenge, no matter how small your bike is. Very tricky to overtake, with lots of blind corners too, so take care.
At the end of the Nant-Y-Garth, slow down and turn around for another run through it, yes, it is that good!
Go back to the mini roundabout you recently passed, but take a right, following the signs for Bala and Betws-Y-Coed, via the A5. Get set for about 15 miles of lovely, curvy roads, dotted with villages and a random selection of agricultural hazards. This isn’t as busy a road as the A5, but be extra careful around its many blind bends.
When you reach the junction with the A5, turn right and join the queues of caravans and cars, all making their way towards Snowdonia and Bala. It can be slow going here on a Sunday, unless you get up early, but traffic eases after the Bala turn-off. Next up, is another 5 miles of twisty stuff, then the A5 opens out a little bit crossing moorlands after Cerrigdruidon. Keep an eye out from now on until Betws-Y-Coed, as the North Wales Police like setting up speed traps on these faster, straighter sections.
After the village of Cerrigydrudion the A5 begins a gradual descent into Betws, getting tighter and twistier as it does so, with some ace views to your left. There are overhanging trees on some corners which drip a slippy film and leaves onto the tarmac, so take it easy when the road ahead looks a bit dark.
Journey’s end is Dil’s Diner (currently closed, as of 20.0.2001), which is next to the railway station, located in the centre of Betws-Y-Coed. This superb, biker friendly café has good food, a free visor cleaning service on the wall outside, plus plenty of seating for the hundreds of bikers who travel there every Sunday.
Time to head home? Possibly, but if you are in the mood to explore the roads of North Wales further, then Betws is the centre of your biking universe. Pick any road out of town and enjoy.
Biker Beds
Can Yr Afon Bed and Breakfast, located in Capel Curig, just a few miles up from Betws-Y-Coed, has rooms with off-road parking. If you want somewhere in Betws itself, within walking distance of Dil’s Diner, then try Bryn Y Gwent, which has a drying facility for wet clothing kit and is non-smoking throughout.
You’ll see loads of signs for farmhouse B & B en route, as you travel around this one, or search some websites if you want to book yourself into the area for a short stay.
Pitstops
Apart from the Ponderosa and Dil’s Diner (currently closed, as of 20.9.2001), which form the start and finish points of this route, there are several very decent country Inns along the way, especially in and around Llangollen. At the other end of the route in Betws-y-Coed, you can try an alternative menu at Ty Gwyn Inn, with a top value bar meals selection.
