Joe Thorburn at Rhyd-Ddu Path in Snowdon, Wales - photo by Laurence-CE

A shot from a shoot I had with Joe on Snowdon for North Wales Mountain Bike Trails guidebook. Turned out to be a really good day considering the sidewards hail, icy trails and 3+ inches of snow at the top. Keep an eye out for the book soon! - Laurence CE - www.laurence-ce.com

Photo of the Day on Dec 17, 2011 - more PODs

Selected by Ian Hylands - Ok, back to the all mountain epic trails. Not sure I'd want to ride this one very far if the whole thing is like this, but it looks amazing!

View Who Faved this

105 Comments

Score Time

+ 72

erik74 (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:43)

Follow the yellow brick...er..stone trail.

+ 72

njdfan101 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:00)

*Insert Mordor comment here*

Taane (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:04)

that does not look real. 0.o

+ 13

radatabs (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:07)

this trail is very real and gave me one of the biggest beat down's i've ever had

+ 18

Draggon (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:12)

So I'm packing my bags for the Misty Mountains........

+ 11

ramprider17 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:21)

The never ending rock garden!

Six-or-Shore (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:35)

In the big rock candy mountains,
where the trails are paved with stones

+ 31

Daniel2011 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:41)

if only that rocky road was edible

+ 11

njdfan101 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:46)

^ hah ice cream reference Big Grin

- 27

shockabahala Plus (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:11) (Below Threshold) show comment

*insert comment here so more people see it*

MiloXC3 (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:34)

You can almost see the Eye of Sauron in the mountains watching them.

+ 14

WAKIdesigns (Dec 17, 2011 at 3:35)

njdfan101 don't be silly, everyone knows that mordor is in New Zeland

Wilfo95 (Dec 17, 2011 at 8:21)

Personally, i think cheese and pickle is an ideal sandwich filler. Forget the rest, just cheese and pickle complimenting eachother beautifully. You can't go wrong

katinasd (Dec 17, 2011 at 13:48)

Really love this shot, also the fact he's riding a bit far way since you'll still be able to see a lot of the terrain!

Waldon83 (Dec 17, 2011 at 17:25)

@ IanHylands . . . .

Your comment for this picture could spark a 29er debate.

@Photograph

Visually, very appealing. Plus 1

WAKIdesigns (Dec 18, 2011 at 2:45)

@Waldon83 - If this is a good reason to start a 29er debate, then nose wheeling a Penny Farthing is the way to go on this trail...

bury (Jan 9, 2012 at 10:13)

some people here will need a proper explanation on this Big Grin

if one can nose wheelie a penny, what is the need for a rear wheel? Big Grin

good one WAKIdesigns Smile

29'ers don't need any debate on them - they're just another great idea turned into a real thing Smile

Waldon83 (Jan 9, 2012 at 13:29)

Is that the same as girl on girl pornography ?

bury (Jan 9, 2012 at 13:51)

kind of I guess Big Grin

WAKIdesigns (Jan 10, 2012 at 0:07)

Within last two years I got really retarded so I have those thoughts in my head like: why do guys of guys brag so much about porn? There is no better way to admit to everybody that you are a wanker.

bury (Jan 10, 2012 at 11:12)

talking about a good picture we end up with porn and at least one wanker Big Grin

don't waste your time on such useless thoughts, there is always a wanker around the corner Big Grin

[Reply]

+ 27

dustingilding (Dec 15, 2011 at 20:23)

They paved Mordor?

fitbiker4130 (Dec 17, 2011 at 12:59)

all the tourists these days i guess...

Coleridesabike (Dec 17, 2011 at 21:36)

That way to Narnia.

[Reply]

gee-milner Plus (Dec 15, 2011 at 14:32)

thats going to be rather different from the usual guide books if it features your pictures dude.

wesley03 (Dec 15, 2011 at 23:15)

Looks like a fun trail, POD for sure

- 25

wolfe38 (Dec 17, 2011 at 14:49) (Below Threshold) show comment

absolutely gross picture.. eww.. XC guys are just as bad as roadies..how is this fun? do you like dicks up your ass while you ride on rough terrain?

+ 10

tank54 (Dec 17, 2011 at 17:17)

Xc guys are just as bad as roadies?? First off. Roadies arnt all that bad, they still ride bikes, their just not near as awesome as mountain bikers. Second off. f*ck you. Third off. XC is still mountain biking...its just for those a little more tame, so have some god damned respect for other bikers.

wolfe38 (Dec 17, 2011 at 18:22) (Below Threshold) show comment

i be trollin... chill broski

[Reply]

devonbalet Plus (Dec 18, 2011 at 18:40)

Wow! I love the use of wide angle as it helps accentuate the rock trail. I love how the horizon line is on the thirdand the clouds create an awesome mood. I want to ride there!!

[Reply]

ccvl Plus (Dec 19, 2011 at 15:52)

Ha Snowdon......everytime I've been there its been so foggy I haven't seen shyte............

[Reply]

doubledeuce (Dec 17, 2011 at 7:21)

Most breathtaking landscape I have seen in a while... need to get my arse out to Scotland/Wales etc. At least to see it all Smile

Nice shot!

[Reply]

charliefandango (Dec 17, 2011 at 5:30)

"Beauty, eh?"

paulclarke (Dec 17, 2011 at 8:11)

No doobt eh...

[Reply]

saxabar (Dec 17, 2011 at 7:43)

For my sins I haven't ridden that side of Snowdon, and I only live 8 mile away.

[Reply]

carmarvalde (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:49)

Love your stile Laurence-CE! Definitely POD!

[Reply]

twowheels2011 (Dec 17, 2011 at 7:50)

it looks like a painting.
great pic!!

[Reply]

epavichthesavage (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:04)

When in a hurry, most hobbits arrange for a bicycle. Here we see one on his merry way to Rohan

[Reply]

rbee1982 (Dec 17, 2011 at 15:18)

Is this an HDR or just touched up in post?

[Reply]

cretin82 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:29)

i love how i looked at this pick at 11pm and at 12:30am its pod

[Reply]

JABBA2010 (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:51)

gorgeous ermm i mean flawless thats unreal pick deffooo POD

[Reply]

GermanyFreeride (Dec 17, 2011 at 2:36)

awesome landscape

[Reply]

flowrider121 (Dec 17, 2011 at 2:23)

stunning as ever Laurence!!!

[Reply]

Psaras (Dec 21, 2011 at 21:11)

looks like a dream path...

[Reply]

chazusk (Dec 17, 2011 at 3:01)

WALESS

[Reply]

billmtown (Dec 20, 2011 at 1:55)

Yaaaa!!! Laurence is da bomb!! Where do you find these places!?

[Reply]

curly93 (Dec 18, 2011 at 5:22)

Brilliant photography, everything about it seems perfect.

[Reply]

gnarbar (May 17, 2012 at 20:20)

Laurence = all killer. no filler

[Reply]

rideRB (Dec 17, 2011 at 9:36)

Words can't describe how I feel watching this epic photo!

[Reply]

PED575 (Dec 17, 2011 at 4:08)

wales gives some great riding : )
ee I love it

[Reply]

JustRideThatBike (Dec 16, 2011 at 12:21)

POD!

[Reply]

westbayrippa (Dec 15, 2011 at 14:15)

great composition

[Reply]

rb246 (Dec 16, 2011 at 12:20)

great shot, looks like a super fun trail too

[Reply]

suicidedh711 (Dec 16, 2011 at 3:23)

this deserves POD

[Reply]

Heman (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:11)

so this is how heaven looks like..

[Reply]

LkWebz (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:07)

I love after like 15 more feet there is no freakin trail
its just mountains

[Reply]

dirtworks911 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:26)

Pinkbike should create two Photos of The Days... A photographer's photo of the day, and a rider's photo of the day.

This one would be under the photographer's photo of the day.

PLC07 (Dec 17, 2011 at 2:12)

Why? I've seen videos of the place and it sure looks fun to ride... Its different than your average berm or dirt jump shot.

zap606 (Dec 17, 2011 at 2:15)

Yeah, what do you mean? This could just as easily be under the riding shot.

bury (Jan 9, 2012 at 10:16)

1. pinkbike should be pink
2. pinkbike should create a "post of the day" category - impossible I think to "fish" some good posts and pick one a'day

[Reply]

HebMT (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:50)

Awesome!!!

[Reply]

caiocrz (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:50)

So much detail! I reckon POD Smile

[Reply]

misfitmtbr23 (Dec 17, 2011 at 18:15)

Really....

[Reply]

MONSTERAIR (Dec 17, 2011 at 11:44)

all it needs i one Big Vert on the top!

[Reply]

TheLou94 (Dec 17, 2011 at 14:51)

Interesting trail structure... Sick shot though

[Reply]

JackStephen (Dec 17, 2011 at 14:03)

Ok, can someone please explain me the history behind that stone-paved trail/fence?

[Reply]

bradwalton Plus (Dec 16, 2011 at 12:11)

really sweet photo!

[Reply]

JonMcC (Dec 17, 2011 at 23:06)

B-E-A-UTIFUL!

[Reply]

bike-fixer (Dec 18, 2011 at 19:13)

BIRTHDAY POD!!!!!

[Reply]

kenandrade (Jan 3, 2012 at 15:15)

love that coloring!

[Reply]

jacekslonik (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:47)

great!

[Reply]

goober6801 (Dec 15, 2011 at 15:15)

Rock & Roll, P.O.D!!!

[Reply]

bikrboij (Dec 15, 2011 at 17:50)

Nice....you lug your camera stuff all the way out to shoot this stuff?

Laurence-CE (Dec 16, 2011 at 14:26)

Always...has to be done.

paulclarke (Dec 17, 2011 at 8:12)

Amazing shot! Nice work man.

Laurence-CE (Dec 17, 2011 at 11:02)

Thanks Paul!

[Reply]

josephig (Dec 17, 2011 at 22:23)

POTH 2012

[Reply]

Rockurshoxoff95 (Dec 17, 2011 at 11:16)

Way too many lord of the rings comments XD

[Reply]

satch101 (Dec 17, 2011 at 20:20)

this has gotta be the poster for a dh movie!

[Reply]

harry-h (Dec 17, 2011 at 10:49)

Nice shot, very well composed

[Reply]

speshp2 (Dec 17, 2011 at 3:57)

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply]

macherschu (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:50)

'Orks, thousands of them'!!!

[Reply]

sam-davies (Dec 15, 2011 at 13:42)

Epic!

[Reply]

Art-of-Aragon (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:02)

Why would you not want to ride this all day?

dirtworks911 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:28)

Because your ass would hate you for it.

[Reply]

JakeMness (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:05)

A bit surreal...

[Reply]

kim19 (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:25)

yes and YES!

[Reply]

harry-h (Dec 17, 2011 at 10:48)

Very nice shot

[Reply]

poombah (Dec 17, 2011 at 10:28)

Its kind of a shame bikes are aloud in this amazing area... Cant they stay on their rutted out destroyed dh trails?

[Reply]

Josh-Morris (Dec 17, 2011 at 9:08)

the ISO speed should be at least a few hundred more for it to bring out the aperture of the background in the left third,

Luke-Taylor (Dec 17, 2011 at 9:10)

totally agree

JHewitt (Dec 17, 2011 at 9:21)

Isn't that just part of the vignette effect?

Novicerider (Dec 17, 2011 at 11:21)

ISO speed etc... What are you talking about. Take the pic for what it is - Its fab

[Reply]

Luke-VTT (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:55)

In most cases I dislike an upright format, but here?! Awesome picture.

[Reply]

jamesxx (Dec 17, 2011 at 7:20)

knew this would get pod, its so sick.

[Reply]

deisterschreddern (Dec 17, 2011 at 18:59)

a dream :>

[Reply]

sh0rt3us85 (Dec 17, 2011 at 16:42)

def different

[Reply]

DKmax (Dec 17, 2011 at 1:09)

lol

[Reply]

mathiasbutzke (Dec 17, 2011 at 18:23)

nice P.O.D

[Reply]

frommeboy2 (Dec 17, 2011 at 11:03)

almost looks fake

[Reply]

JacobNeufeld (Dec 17, 2011 at 0:00)

such a cool pic! follow the yellow brick road!

[Reply]

paulfreakinneumann (Dec 17, 2011 at 8:31)

Purdy!

[Reply]

RustyShackleferd (Dec 17, 2011 at 8:20)

Amazing shot!

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