Find out how the first day of the Bala RFC bike ride went as they raise funds for the Yogi Foundation Charity.
We left Maes Gwyniad at 7.30am with high spirits and made the long journey to Holyhead in a mini bus. Three support vehicles followed us with our bikes, spare parts, clothes and camping equipment. It must have been a frightening sight to see 27 men and women in Lycra bulging in different places.
The ride began at 10am outside the Holyhead train station. We split into several groups of similar ability and began following cycle route number 8, which should have taken us all the way to Caernarfon. Two minutes into the ride the majority of us were lost, including the main support vehicle. The driver, Rhydian 'Mwnc' Morris blamed the map reading skills of the navigator, Mei 'Tom Tom' Fon. We all regrouped in Bethel, read the map and took on some refreshments.
Our first casualty was Robin Cablyd, who took out a crash barrier after misjudging the width of the gate. Fortunately only his pride was hurt.
Teleri Davies had a "close encounter" with a van in Menai Bridge but no harm was done, although the van driver was traumatised.
After a slap up buffet lunch in the Buckley Arms we headed towards Caernarfon on the A55. Everyone except Robin Cablyd arrived safely in Bryncir for our scheduled water stop. Following a lengthy search and rescue operation, Robin was found heading in the wrong direction back towards Caernarfon, dehydrated and confused.
The rest of the journey ran like clockwork with everyone enjoying the ride and sunshine. We arrived at the Glanaber in Morfa Bychan 62 miles later around 6pm, exhausted but happy. After another four hours and 140 miles, Robin finally arrived in time to see sunset. The owners, Chris and John, treated us to a fantastic Asian banquet which was very gratefully received. We then relaxed with a few cold beverages and compared our tan lines.
Harry Guttridge and Ger PK
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