It was a gorgeous spring morning, too good to spend in the office. I muttered “research” as I left but I suspect that my Lycra cycling kit rather gave the game away. A local CTC group (http://www.ctc.org.uk/) that I had not been out with before was meeting just up the road. It was a rendezvous that was not to be missed. Even though you think you know an area quite well it is always good to join a new group of riders to share their favourite lanes.
There were about twenty riders getting ready when I arrived at the assembly point – the car park for the Bryn Celli Ddu Neolithic burial chamber – to be warmly welcomed by members of the group. When all were ready, we set off up the hill to Llanddaniel Fab to pick up a minor road I had not encountered before. The quiet lane provided distant views of the Malltraeth estuary as we travelled towards Pentre Berw to join the Lon Las Cefni linear cycle route which follows the Afon Cefni (River Cefni) down to the coast at Malltraeth.
A brief sojourn at the Red Squirrel Wood on the way to Newborough did not reveal any examples of this major Anglesey success story – perhaps they shun publicity. Another previously unknown lane with spectacular views took us down the hill from Newborough to Dwyran before we stopped for a restorative lunch at the Anglesey Sea Zoo.
From Brynsiencyn we joined the Anglesey Coastal Path to enjoy splendid views of the Menai Strait and Snowdonia beyond, despite the rough terrain more suited to a mountain bike, en route to the water’s edge at Moel y Don, before returning to our starting point. It had been a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable day enhanced by good company and fine weather.
Anglesey County Council has done a lot to promote cycling on the island with the designation of a Rural Cycling Routes Network of four signposted routes (‘Nico’ or goldfinch’ which starts and finishes at Lynnon Mill; ‘Giach’ or ‘snipe’ based on Llys Llywelyn at Aberffraw; ‘Hebog’ or ‘falcon’ starts and finishes at Benllech; ‘Telor’ or ‘warbler’ centres on Beaumaris). In addition, there are two National Cycle Routes that go from Menai Bridge to Holyhead on different sides of the island: Route 5 to the east which includes the Route 566 ‘Copper Trail’ extension and Route 8 to the west (http://www.sustrans.org.uk/). A further recent initiative has been to encourage the use of electric bikes on Anglesey, supported by Menter Mon, with an electric bike and conventional bike hire available from Cycle Wales, Unit 2, 37 Church Street, Llangefni. (Tel 07733 121585) (http://www.cyclewales.net/)
Cycling is a great way to explore Anglesey at a gentle pace which allows you to experience the visual and fragrant beauty of the lanes and the coastal paths away from the hustle and bustle of motorised traffic. To make the most of an Anglesey adventure book a beautiful cottage or apartment from Coastal Holidays online at www.coastalholidays.net or for personal service contact our Brynsiencyn office on the south coast of Anglesey by ringing 01248 430712.