February 16, 2013 -

Wow. Went today from Bangor. This was the first day this year where the weather was warm and the sun was shining. I am so glad I rode this road. It was fantastic. Because of the time of year (mid feb) there were hardly any cars or bikes. I had the whole road to myself. Got a bit busier around the youth hostels but on the whole the scenery was breathtaking.

March 21, 2011 -

A great road especially from Bethesda up to the lake. After that it becomes a wider road, best to watch your speed from here on as it's easy to get carried away, not a good idea with the mobile 'safety cameras' about (60->30mph zones area their favourites). Traffic can get heavy in the summer, and capel curig down to betws-y-coed can be frustrating.

July 27, 2010 -

Did this route last Friday when returning from Anglesey. Nice views but I found the traffic heavy and never managed to get into a rhythm for too long. Pleasant road though, would have been more fun if I had a clear run at it though.

July 10, 2010 -

Great road and scenery, expecially with the lake on one side and the mountains on the other. Has a few twisty sections, though nothing too extreme. Main hazards are the suicidal sheep that stand inches from the Tarmac, and the police who do appear to be just laying in wait for the more enthusiastic riders.

May 25, 2009 -

lovely road with nice scenery and plenty of bends to keep you on your toes BUT also popular with plod

January 8, 2008 -

Truly one of Britain's most historic roads, the A5, originally an ancient trackway used by the Celts and Romans between Dover through London to Wroxeter in Shropshire was built on, along and extended by Thomas Telford in an effort to improve access between London and Dublin after the Act of Union in 1800. This Welsh section through the Snowdonia national park forms part of the now historic route (so declared since 1995) and Menai suspension bridge one of the roads crowning jewels.

November 13, 2007 -

Beautiful area, remember it is Mr Brumstroms area so likely to get flashed, unlikely to see police doing anything else! Great new B&B (Vagabond) in Betws-Y-Coed behind the camping clearance shop. Worth booking in peak season.

October 9, 2006 -

If you're lucky you'll get to see the tornado's, hawker trainers or the hercules drop like a brick from over devils kitchen and fly lower than you down the fracon valley!!! AWESOME!

August 8, 2006 -

Part of my daily commute. Excellent ride, but look out for traffic at Bethesda, and sheep all along the route (particularly west of the lake - they like to hide on the verge as you're coming down the valley). Continue on this route past Betws-y-coed for another nice section of twisties heading towards the A543 up to Denbigh (another route on this site)

January 24, 2006 -

This is a good run out, even if you don't make it as far as Bangor/A55. Take a bit of grub and stop at the side of the lake and watch the world go by, before heading back the way you came. If you do feel like doing the whole run, there is fuel available at either end. Heck, you could just spend all day riding up and down it.

January 1, 2005 -

A varied and undulatig ride through some great scenary. Road can be quite busy as it is a major A-Road. Dil's Diner used to be a good place to meet, but I haven't been there that recently