Ponderosa cafe Llangollen

[Ministerofsillywalks]

In this case not a meet or rideout but used to be.

The Ponderosa cafe at the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen has closed 'for essential refurbishment' and will not be reopening. This was a favourite meeting place for bikers as well as cyclists and anyone else wanting to take in the scenery of the area. And perhaps more importantly, unlike most biker meets people didn't look down their noses at you if you turned up on a scooter!

It used to be a regular visit for me whenever I was staying at my Mum's in Rhyl. As well as having a good meal in the cafe I spent many a happy hour looking at the bikes (including many from the 1970s and before) and chatting. As I say people there didn't care if you had a scooter instead of a 'real bike.'

I'm in Rhyl at the moment, and I'm taking a ride there tomorrow to see if it is still a meeting place despite the cafe closing. With a bit of luck someone will turn up with a trailer selling refreshments. If they do and it is still a meeting place they will make a fair bit of money!

[Ministerofsillywalks]

Just got back. The place is locked up and the car park gates are locked with other entrances blocked by barriers, but looking inside I see everything is still in there. Tables, chairs and even a couple of cash registers. So maybe they will re-open some time. I hope so.

A few bikers turned up, some of which didn't know it had closed. One had come from Manchester.

[knight2]

Glad you reminded me I haven't been for a couple of years and had forgotten it had closed. Strange as they never seemed short of customers.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

They were certainly not short of customers on reasonably warm weekends. Whenever I have been the car park has been full of bikes. And when the sun was out it was rammed. Plus a lot of cyclists and hill walkers used to frequent the place.


My theory is that the winds where it is situated have caused so much damage to the roof and the rest of the building that the cost of repairs has made it uneconomic to remain open. But the fact that everything is still inside would indicate that the current owners or someone else may re-open it at some time in the future. But whoever takes it on will have to spend a fair bit of money on it. I will keep an eye on it.

[horobags]

a great place to meet on bikes, fantastic location, the food was average though, would rather go to subway.

[knight2]

That explains a lot I didn't realise they had suffered storm damage.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

They may not have. It's just my theory as to what has happened. With the location it stands a good chance.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

a great place to meet on bikes, fantastic location, the food was average though, would rather go to subway.

Their breakfasts were top notch.