The Blaenau Lung Buster
The signs are unmistakeable. Daffs are peeking shyly out from sunny roadsides, Big Al's legs have made their first appearance since last October, Ian's new wheels are still in their bags and Chris has just baked his millionth hot cross bun. Yes, that's right, 'tis the season for the traditional Summer bike opener, the Blaenau lung buster! Not a particularly long ride, but a total bugger after the relative flat of our over-wintering pastures around Maesbury. A respectable turnout congregated in Bala. First to arrive were Robbo, the Assassin and the Pup, followed shortly by Candle, le patron, Chrissy, Lord Baltimore and Dave.
We climbed steadily out of Bala and across the Migneint, basking in the glorious spring sunshine. Steady didn't last for long however, as egos tussled and scrapped up and over the Crimea pass to be first to the cafe. The return leg out of Betws was as hard as I can remember, barely struggling to maintain 20mph on the flat in the teeth of a biting headwind. With 10 mile to go, the inevitable turn right on our own 'road to hell' signalled the start of the draggy, heavy and generally ball breaking final push back to Bala.
'Struggling to maintain 20 mph' - jeez I have no hope! LOLs
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