GC1HGMM CycleFest - Lady Bagot's Drive (Traditional Cache) in North Wales, United Kingdom created by Team Marzipan adopted by Team OneWheel

This cache has been archived.

Southerntrekker: This cache has been in need of care and maintenance for some time and as the owner has not responded to recent logs I am archiving it.

The Geocache Maintenance guideline explains a CO's responsibility towards checking and maintaining the cache when problems are reported. Caches that have been archived for lack of maintenance will not be unarchived. This is explained in the Help Center.

Regards

Southerntrekker - Volunteer UK Reviewer North Wales, London and Isle of Man www.geocaching.com
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GC1HGMM ▼

A cache by Team Marzipan adopted by Team OneWheel Message this owner

Hidden : 10/24/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is one of a series of cycle-themed easy-find caches. Collect and/or swap the number in each cache to find the bonus cache. Don't forget to make a note of the NUMBER in the log book. You can swap numbers with other cachers, and then when you've collected all eleven numbers, see bonus cache (if you want). See bookmark list for this series of cyclefest caches.

For generations this path has inspired cyclists from as far away as Merseyside and Cheshire to include it in their route for the day.
Some years ago a 'No Cycling' sign appeared at the Rhewl entrance to the Drive. This is of dubious legal status although it should be appreciated that whilst there is a pedestrian right of way along the entire length of the gorge, sections are in the private ownership of various parties.

But cycling and Lady Bagot's Drive goes back a long way. In 1929 'Challis' (who was he?) wrote in an article for the Liverpool CTC DA entitled, In Pursuit of Primrose Plants.
"Two or three miles along the Denbigh Road I reached my destination. Lady Bagot's Drive was the place…. As I passed over the bridge a man gave a curious smile, much to say 'Poor chap he does not know where he is going. But I soon found out the reason for this for about 100 yds a further on I was up to the hubs in thick slush, while on each side of this were tremendous wheel tracks, about two feet deep, and so I had no choice but to pedal through………
I'm afraid Lady Bagot's Drive descendants would not be pleased with my description - I don't mean this one, but the remarks made on the spot; nor would the primrose plants have felt very grateful for the epithets ejected at them.
The ground had been churned up by the lumber wagons, and for at least half way along the drive the woodcutters had been felling trees, and I am afraid this spot has not quite the appeal ……
With the parting glance at the dim lights of Ruthin in the valley, Icontinued the ride along the usual route home, congratulating myself on having been able to enjoy one of the best Sundays so far of 1929.
Past a white cottage, then the road followed closely the winding of the river, now low down and level with it; now rising high above the water. And so we emerged from fairy land to a main road, and climbed out of the village of Bontuchel. We had a last look back at the clustered hills made mysterious by the gathering dusk, and down in the hollow a mass of trees that hid Lady Bagot'sDrive………
It seems that little has changed in Lady Bagot's Drive since those days when daily life for the countryman and town dweller was so different. Today there is much pressure on secret places such as this. We can only hope that those who visit will appreciate it is a rich heritage indeed, and treat it, and those who live there, accordingly."
The Bikecentennial Airbag
The Bicycle

*** Congratulations to lostnwet for being FTF on 14/11/08 ***