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Club trip 2017

stevedepport's picture
on Fri, 22/07/2016 - 17:40

I have booked Foel Ortho near Bala again. I have booked Fri/Sat 23/24th June 2017.

Cost will be £70 per person.

Money via PayPal to steve.depport@blueyonder.co.uk or drop it off at the shop.

 

stevedepport's picture

I need to pay a £350 deposit to secure the booking for next year. I am looking for some early takers who are happy to commit and pay up early or I will have to pay it myself.

The deposit is due before then end of August.

D N A's picture

Oh go on then. Wouldn't miss this top weekend for anything! Money sent across to you on PayPal Steve. I've created an event on Facebook to start banging the drum as ever!!!!!!

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

craig s's picture

I'll try and stay upright next year...

D N A's picture

Facebook drum being well and truly banged! 9 confirmed definites on the Facebook post. Me, Craig Sneddon, Emma Newton-Thorpe, JP, Colin Clark, David Roe, Mark Titch, Darren Rigby & Mark Lane. Hopefully you'll have sufficient funds shortly to sort the deposit out.

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

stevedepport's picture

Craig and Dave have paid up so far, thanks very much guys.

I need £350 to secure the booking, is anyone else ready to pay?

D N A's picture

David Roe has paid and 'hopefully' sent you the money via PayPal Steve. #facebookdrum

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

stevedepport's picture

David has paid and so has Emma so i have enough money to pay the deposit.yes

Time to plan this is your diary for 2017. This year was the first year we rode as one big group. In previous years the mix of riders has meant splitting and planning different routes for A and B groups. There is plenty of space for A, B or C groups with different rides for everyone.

Talk to the people you ride with every week and see if you can get your own group to book some places.

D N A's picture

Steve, Darren Rigby has paid and left his money at the shop for your collection.

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

stevedepport's picture

Full details for the trip for 2017 are as follows -

Friday/Saturday 23/24th June 2017 - Foel Ortho farmhouse - cost £70 per person.

For this you arrive on Friday and get two nights accomodation, breakfast each day and a choice of great rides on Saturday and Sunday. The farmhouse is about 90 minutes drive from Ormskirk so even if you can't stay over you can always come and join us on the day for a ride. Last year we rode as one group, in previous years we have had two groups, basically an A and B group. It all depends on you and your best riding buddies booking your places.

www.farmhouseinwales.com

The venue is unique and worth the £70 to visit anyway. The riding in the area is brilliant. We go to a nearby pub for something to eat on Friday & Saturday night and some riders have the odd drink too!

www.lakevyrnwy.com

You can drop the money at the shop or pay me at PayPal at steve.depport@blueyonder.co.uk

All you need to do now is pay up or add it to your letter to Santa.

 

stevedepport's picture

Right, now is the time to sign up for the club trip. This will be our fifth year in Bala and the area has some oustanding riding.

I am hoping we get two groups this year and have spoken to a few B group riders who are interested. You just need to talk to your fellow riders and sign up. You can drop your money at the shop or pay through PayPal.

Plenty of spaces at the moment but they usually go quickly at this time of the year.

 

 

 

 

stevedepport's picture

Right, now is the time to sign up for the club trip. This will be our fifth year in Bala and the area has some oustanding riding.

I am hoping we get two groups this year and have spoken to a few B group riders who are interested. You just need to talk to your fellow riders and sign up. You can drop your money at the shop or pay through PayPal.

Plenty of spaces at the moment but they usually go quickly at this time of the year.

 

 

 

 

D N A's picture

Pending numbers and ability of riders going, in going to lead a 'steadier' B ride. This will be the same route as the A ride, just full of more love and banter!

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

stevedepport's picture

JP has paid up and will be on this years trip. Hopefully he brings a bike......cheeky 

A few other looking at whether there would be a B group ride, pay up to secure your place, its going to happen.

 

 

stevedepport's picture

There were a few people at the club meeting last week interested in the trip. There are 8 paid up so far and I need at least another 12 to cover the cost of the trip. There is enough room for up to 30 people, so plenty of places left.

I need to pay the balance on 12th May so have 2 months to nag you into goingcheeky

It is a great trip, £70 per person, drop the cash at the shop or pay via paypal at steve.depport@blueyonder.co.uk

 

stevedepport's picture

 

 

Since the club meeting I have had three people pay via PayPal, thanks for your support.

Graham Sutch has paid in fullyes

Stephen Graham has paid £10, which I assume is a deposit or did you hit the wrong key, 1 instead of 7?frown I will need the rest before I have to pay in May.

Steve Nelson has paid 70p! Now I am sure that is a keying in error and should have been £70. You were awarded Fastest Old Bastard, but obviously not for your keyboard skillswink

There may be cash at the shop as well but I have not been able to get in, will check on Saturday.

stevedepport's picture

Steve Nelson has made up for his 'senior moment' and paid the £69.30 balance to go with the 70p.wink

Colin Clarke and John Jones have left their cash at the shop yes​ That's 5 more signed up this week, making 13 in total.

Still a few more who said they were coming who have not paid up, don't miss out, book your place now.

stevedepport's picture

James Wignall has paid up through PayPal and Kenny Madden has left his money at the shop. That's seven signed up this week, making fifteen in total so far.yes

Places are going fast now, pay up soon or miss out.crying

stevedepport's picture

John Hill has joined the Bala bound crew, that's sixteen nowyes

stevedepport's picture

Dave Atkinson, Craig Sneddon, David Roe, Emma Brain, Darren Rigby, Jonathan Parkinson, Graham Sutch, Stephen Graham, Steve Nelson, Colin Clarke, John Jones, James Wignall, Kenny Madden, John Hill, Mark Titchenor and me. That makes 16 so far with two groups starting to form nicely.yes

Places still available, book yours now.yes

D N A's picture

Two groups people, remember that. All abilities will be catered for. I'll be leading the B group, nobody gets dropped / or drops me most probably lol. Just lots of banter, laughter and maybe a little sing song as well lol.

I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)

stevedepport's picture

winkAlan Price has paid up, making it 17 riders. Will he want to take on the Bwlch y Groes?

stevedepport's picture

Mike Lloyd has paid up via PayPal, numbers climbing now, book your place asap.yes

stevedepport's picture

The lanes in Wales make brillinat riding, but even better news! The Lanes are joining us Mark and Claire are the latest riders to join the trip. They will be staying in the splendour of the master Bedroom Suite, with it's own private staircase, kingsize bed and a jacuzzi. Staying in the best room in the house entitles them to be referred to as Lord & Lady Lane for the duration of the weekend. Please show them due deference at all timesThat is 20 riders now, more places are still currently available, book yours now
stevedepport's picture

The farmhouse is now fully paid for and will be ready and waiting on Friday 23rd June. There are 20 going at the moment but still plenty of space if you want to join us. If you fancy just a day out, let me know and you will be very welcome. The venue was chosen so people could come out for the day on Saturday or even Sunday.

Any 312/225/167 riders fancy using their Majorcan legs? Anyone else with any big challenges, looking for some good miles?

Saturday will be a day out with a variety of routes available, split into two groups. Sunday is usually a half day ride, so you can get back home for a nice roast dinner.

Any preferences on where you might want to go, or places to visit? We went to Barmouth last year, done the Bwlch y groes twice, a few other places too. If anyone already has any routes that would be useful as well.

 

stevedepport's picture

Craig Nickson has just paid up, keen to show off his Majorcan legswink

Any more?

stevedepport's picture

Inder & Gemma have decided to join us again, but there are still some places left if you are undecided. So far there are just three reserved rooms, the Treehouse (Emma Brain), the Main bedroom (Mark & Clare Lane) and the Library bedroom ( Inder & Gemma). I will post some more joining instructions next week. Basically, there is bedding but if you are on your own bring a sleeping bag/pillow just in case you end up sharing a double bed!

There will be plenty of the basics there for breakfast but you will need your own drinks and soemthing for the BBQ. It might be possible to get a takeway delivered one night, I will let you know. If not you will need some food for a second night.

 

stevedepport's picture

I will put a few posts out today, partly because if I post too much in one go it usually falls over. Directions are on this link -

http://www.farmhouseinwales.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Directions-Latest-08-reduced-size.pdf

Arrival - you can generally check in from 4pm Friday 24th, although early arrival for the lake loop is ok too. Rooms are on a first come, first served basis with a couple of exceptions. These exceptions are the Master Bedroom (Lord & Lady Lane), the Treehouse (Emma Brain), the Library bedroom (Inder & Gemma). Many bedrooms have double beds so you might want to bring a sleeping bag and/or pillow to keep yourself pure.

The Bunkhouse has plenty of mattresses but you will need to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow.

Parking - parking can be tight so car sharing helps a lot. If we have too many cars we will have to park some at the top of the lane.

Departure - we need to be out by 10am Sunday 26th. The plan would be to drive to Bala, park in the car park behind the Fire Station and go for a ride of about 3 hours, back to Bala then home late afternoon.

Meals - I will provide all the basics for breakfast and lots of bananas, tea, coffee, milk, cereals, bread, bacon, eggs, etc. We are eating in both nights so bring what you need. There is a built in BBQ & two portable BBQ's available. There might be more time to BBQ on Saturday but it is up to you. I will bring some charcoal and firelighters.I will see if I can bring some cakes and personally, maybe a lasagne or something for Friday and something to BBQ for Saturday. If anyone else wants to bring anything to share I am sure it will be appreciated. Bring your own booze.

I have had 24 people book so there are still some spaces if you decide at the last minute. If you would like to join us for the day on Saturday let someone know you are coming and aim to arrive by 8.00am. You will have a great day out.

I will post some routes and it would be good to have a few garmins loaded just in case. Better to download the routes in advance. The farmhouse is remote, has dodgy phone signal and some wifi, great place to get away from it all.yes

stevedepport's picture

This is a route to Barmouth, 90 miles, 8,500ft climbing with two cafe stops. I have updated this since last year so we don't get lost on Coed y brenin forest again!

https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4333074.html

The first cafe stop is the Bath House cafe in Barmouth, about 38 miles in. It is not part of the route itself, you could use any cafe in the town, this one is on the beach. When you come over the bridge into the town, the route would take you to the right, turn left towards the beach/harbour. Take the first left and carry on until it bends to the right, the cafe will then be on your left. It is only a couple of minutes 'off route'.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g316013-d8401841-Reviews-Bath_House_Cafe-Barmouth_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html

The second cafe stop, Bala lake railway in Llanuwchllyn, about 70 miles in. Again, the cafe is not on the route. When you get to Llanuwchllyn look out for the signs for the Bala Lake railway, Station Road willl be on your left, the cafe is on the station itself.

stevedepport's picture

This is a slightly shorter route that takes in the Horshoe Pass, which is after you have gone through Llangollen -

https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4299058.html

This is 73 miles and 7,500 feet of climbing.

There are lots of cafes in Llangollen if you want an early stop, which is about 20 miles in.

There is a cafe in Adloniant Maelor which is also a cinema this is at 46 miles in. I have put this one in because I am not sure what else there is between Llangollen and Bala, which are at 20 miles and 57 miles respectively.

https://www.adloniant.co.uk/

This route also brings you back to the top end of Bala lake at about 57 miles so again, you could stop here if you fancied a cafe stop.

stevedepport's picture

This is a shorter Sunday route, starting in Bala. It goes up the back of the Bwlch y groes and down the Hirnant valley back to Bala. There are loads of cafes in Bala before heading for home.

https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4561199.html

This route is 34 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing.

If you have climbed the back of the Bwlch on the way back from Barmouth and want to do something different, this route goes the other way around ie. up the Hirnant, then down the back of the Bwlch.

https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4299151.html

Spoilt for choiceyes

stevedepport's picture

Great weekend in Bala with a great bunch of people. You can't beat just riding your bike in countryside like that with great company. Big thanks to everyone who helped or supported the trip in any way, even just being there. That was the 5th year at the farmhouse and was the best yet. I am waiting on confirmation back on dates for 2018, watch this space.

Final accounts! there were 24 riders who paid up, a total of £1,680. The farmhouse cost £1,400 and I spent £150 on the breakfast food, etc, leaving a balance of £130. The trip is run by a dictator who has decided to split this amount to two charities being supported by two club members.

Gareth Olley is cycling 230 miles to raise money for Alder Hey https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gareth-olley

Carl Hammal is cycling 340 miles in 24 hours, The way of the Roses and back supporting a number of very good causes https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carl-hammal3

I have donated £65 to each of the guys on behlaf of everyone who went to Bala. that doesn't mean you can't still make an individual donation, go on, you know it will make you feel good.heartyes

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