The destination for this car assisted ride was the North Wales town of Llanberis, passing through Llangollen and latterly Betws-y-Coed. All these places were quiet and deserted at this unearthly time on a Sunday morning. Was this telling us all something as we headed further up to the rugged peaks beyond?
At the Snowdon Mountain Railway car park cars arrived until we numbered some fifteen riders. The air was full of anticipation as everyone checked their bikes, equipment and provisions for the journey ahead. Voices were unusually quiet after the initial greetings and leg pulling that are a part of every ride. Nigel was keeping us abreast of the conditions that lay ahead up the mountain, informing us of wind speeds gusting to 90 miles an hour in places with pictures of patchy sun on the summit and temperatures of 2 degrees all downloaded to his hand held from the Internet .At 10.45 we set off right out of the car park up the tarmac road heading towards the first climb. After no more than a mile we turned left off road. This led to a rock strewn climb that took us all towards Halfway Cafe. The train headed up on our right making easy work of the incline, using it rack and pinion to good effect.
A short break at the cafe saw us push further up, passing cyclists returning to the bottom after taking decisions not to go for the summit due to the high winds. A very steep section proceeded the second time of passing under the railway track, here the full force of the wind caused much interest. Soon afterwards three of the elite Andy, Colin and Keith were seen returning from the summit telling stories of stronger winds still. Should we turn back or push on; was asked in slightly concerned tones. It was decided to continue having come so far. Disappearing into the low cloud the summit was no where in sight, looks of amazement was etched on numerous walkers faces as we headed up.