MARCH 2018 mbr 21
MYNYDD LLANGORSE,
BLACK MOUNTAINS
34.6km (21 miles)
This is the biggest of this bunch, but you do
get two summits instead of one for your effort.
Start at the lake (Landranger 161/ SO128273)
and follow lanes through the village and NE to
Penllanafal, where you can enjoy a drop NW
to Heol-y-Cefn. Take lanes to Trewalkin, and
SE to pick up a BW E to Pengenfford, then SE
then S to a lane at the top of Cwm Sorgwm.
Take the narrow BW SW, eventually looping E
onto Mynydd Llangorse (backtrack 1km if you
want the trig point), then drop to Bwlch and
take the A40 NW. As it bends L, keep SA and
follow a BW over Allt yr Esgair and down to
Pennorth, where you need to loop around the
lake on the road to finish.
GPS download po.st/Mynydd
Ride time 5 hours
Why ride it? Two summits and plenty
of solitude
Where to eat? Castle Inn in Llangorse VillageBURMA ROAD, AVIEMORE,
SCOTLAND
15km (9.5 miles)
This is a peachy little loop that beams you
from the bustle of Aviemore to the remoteness
of the mountains in a handful of kilometres.
And if that’s not enough, it brings you
back down again on some fine singletrack.
Wherever you start, head out of town to the
roundabout at the S end (Landranger 36/
NH892116) and continue S to where the road
joins the A9. Cross this and head up the lane
opposite. Now follow the track all the way
to the top. As it levels, take the sharp L and
plummet back down, breaking R at the bottom
to go beneath the A9.
GPS download po.st/BurmaRoad
Ride time 2 hours
Why ride it? The quick way to get away from it
all and a great trail.
Where to eat? The Winking Owl, AviemoreBLACK COMBE,
LAKE DISTRICT
14km (9 miles)
A coastal outlier that offers one of the
toughest, most rewarding climbs anywhere in
the Lakes, and delivers views over the sea in
one direction and high mountains in the other.
Seldom ridden but an absolute gem. Head
S to Whicham from the lay-by on the A595
(Landranger 96/SD120837) and after you turn
inland, take the lane then BW N all the way to
the summit — a 600m climb. Stay on the BW
to descend at speed and, as it levels, make
sure you get on the BW that heads S
and follow this all the way to Whitbeck.
GPS download po.st/BlackCombe
Ride time 2-3 hours
Why ride it? Something different with a great
climb and great views
Where to eat? The Miner’s Arms, Silecroft