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Chelmer On Tour by Alex Eason

Day 1

Friday 30^th October is a date that will go down in history.  It was the first day of the Chelmer winter tour ’09.  I say winter, but the day dawned bright, sunny and relatively mild sparking fevered debate about the correct clothing to wear when embarking on a four day tour to north Wales in October – intermediate, semi-intermediate, polytech, holytech, toptech or even full winter kit.

The line up for day one – I would have photoshopped out the two not in Chelmer kit but I don’t know how to. I can only apologise.

The tour started from Haughton Hall, Shifnal, a hotel noted for its fine carpet, and saw 10 resplendent Chelmers heading west with the aim of reaching Ruthin by nightfall.  It was going to be an arduous and challenging day but this didn’t deter John Golder who set a ferocious pace out of town leaving many wondering what they had let themselves in for. However, once it was pointed out that we weren’t on the E2, Johnny adjusted to his new surroundings and the pace eased.  The group was, fortunately, still intact and good progress was made to lunch. 

Post lunch saw the crossing of the famed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  For the more inquisitive among you, the aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct carrying the Llangollen Canal over the valley of the River Dee, is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain and is a World Heritage site.  Of more concern to the brave tourists was the need to cross this if the tour was to continue.  I am pleased to report that no Chelmer member was hurt or lost in the crossing.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

No sooner had this obstacle been crossed than Captain Stapleton announced that we still had the Horseshoe Pass to climb.  This blow was softened somewhat by the promise of the Ponderosa Café at the summit which served fine tea and cake.  From here it was only a long descent before the short run in to Ruthin and the stage finish.

70.7 miles covered at a very slow pace.

Day 2

Day 2 again dawned bright and sunny.  The destination was Caernarfon and it was looking like an arduous and challenging day as the group made its way through north Wales.  Chris Regan had joined us overnight, making his way up in the evening and not arriving until the small hours.  This level of commitment is what the Chelmer tour is all about and reports claiming that he was merely missing day one in order to save his legs were strongly denied.

However, Fresh Legs Regan, along with Steve Freeman and Johnny Golder, was soon part of a calamitous threesome who managed to get themselves distanced from the group.  Johnny Golder, a man who has been known to miss a left turn even when being directed by four marshals, was initially blamed but it was felt all were responsible and each were relegated to last place on the stage and a mandatory 11 point penalty.  Chris, Steve and Johnny re-joined the group shortly before lunch at Llanrwst where the town was circled three times, much to the confusion of its residents, before a consensus (of sorts) was reached on which café we should enjoy lunch.

The post lunch leg initially saw some steep climbing before settling down on the more rolling roads of north Wales through Capel Curig to Caernarfon and a finish in darkness after completing 64.7 miles.

The evening entertainment saw the Chelmer ‘hit the town’ of Caernarfon in an attempt to instil some life into the town’s Halloween celebrations.  Your Captain led the more adventurous to ‘Club K2’ while others chose a locally hostelry for a relaxed pint and witty banter.  The goings on inside ‘Club K2’ remain a secret, if only because your author wasn’t there and hasn’t the time or inclination to find out before this report gets circulated.

Day 3

After the balmy weather of the previous two days, day 3 dawned to a strong wind, sheeting rain and an arduous and challenging day making our way across to Bala.  This is what real touring is all about.  Today was set to be a true classic.

After an initial tour of the town to see the castle, the group set off in heavy rain straight up the Llanberis Pass.  Rivers were running down the road and the group soon split on the four mile climb to the summit.  The Pass carries the main road between the mountain ranges of Glyderau and Snowdon but views were non existent as everyone regrouped in the summit café.  After a long descent, lunch was taken in a pub serving Jalfrezi which seemed to be the sustenance of choice.  Whether this was ideal touring food was uncertain and previously untested but this did not deter the Chelmer.  Whether this was a wise move would become apparent.

The afternoon saw some tough climbing through Rhiw Goch, over one of the highest roads in Wales, before the run in to Bala along the shores of Llyn Tegid.  As everyone re-grouped after climbing for what seemed an eternity, Steve was heard to ask ”Is this the top?” to which the Captain replied “We haven’t even started the climb yet.  We’re not even on it”  This would have broken a lesser man but fortunately Steve is made of sterner stuff and the fact that there was no alternative had nothing to do with it.  The benefits of Jalfrezi as a touring food inspired the group up the climb, none more so than Corinna who, to the amazement of all, was first to summit the climb.  I say amazed as Corinna is not renowned for riding on the front of any group but stormed over the top to take the spoils.  This could only be a testament to the Jalfrezi so expect to see the destination of future club runs determined by the quality of Jalfrezi on offer.

54.5 miles, even slower.

Day 4

Early morning saw climbing out of Bala along beautiful roads, in more bright sunshine, over Moel-Y-Geifr to Lake Vyrnwy.

Digging in

Day 4 was a relatively uneventful day and your author is running out of time before going to print so you’ll have to live with the brevity of reporting on stage 4.  Suffice to say that the group arrived back in Shifnal with time for a quick shower and some food before heading home tired but satisfied after a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.  And for those who were wondering it was an arduous and challenging day.  76.7miles. 

Cast: 

Pete Barton

Graeme Berry

‘JD’ Edwards

Alex Eason

Corinna Francis

Steve Freeman

John Golder

Graham Painter

Chris Regan

Ann Shuttleworth

Antony Stapleton

With thanks to Antony Stapleton for organising and leading the tour.  Also to Graeme Berry for photos. 

More pictures

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