0:00:03 > 0:00:05My name is Richard Parks,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and when injury ended my rugby career,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11it opened a new door to a new chapter in my life -
0:00:11 > 0:00:13creating world-first expeditions
0:00:13 > 0:00:17in the most extreme environments on our planet.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20After being capped for Wales,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22I became an extreme environment athlete.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27I've summited Everest and I've skied to both poles.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30What I've discovered is that some of the best adventures
0:00:30 > 0:00:33can be had right here on my own doorstep.
0:00:35 > 0:00:372016 is the Welsh Year of Adventure,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40so I'm taking on three very different challenges.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45I'll be running and kayaking along one of the longest rivers in Wales
0:00:45 > 0:00:49and climbing to the deepest point in the deepest cave in Britain.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58This time, I'm creating a new Welsh cycle route.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00From the gap in the Brecon Beacons,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I've got just four days to cover 165 miles
0:01:03 > 0:01:05north to the summit of Snowdon
0:01:05 > 0:01:09in what will become the highest cycle route in Wales.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19This is The Gap in the Brecon Beacons.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Used as a training ground for the SAS,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23it's also home to the Welsh Mountain Rescue.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27They're taking me up 700 metres to the highest rideable point
0:01:27 > 0:01:30in South Wales for the start of my cycling adventure.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Now, it's not very often that the Welsh Mountain Rescue guys
0:01:35 > 0:01:38are tasked with actually putting somebody on a mountain,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40but today they've offered to drop me off
0:01:40 > 0:01:41at my starting point, just up there.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46Cheers, Dave. Richard, it's an absolute pleasure.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48My route takes me through the Welsh mountains
0:01:48 > 0:01:50which were pushed up by a massive volcanic upheaval
0:01:50 > 0:01:52some 500 million years ago.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Not too surprisingly,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Welsh Mountain Rescue have got some keen mountain bikers in their team,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03so I've asked a few of the guys
0:02:03 > 0:02:06to share the start of my journey with me.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Morning, guys. Hiya. Good morning. How are you doing?
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Good to see you here. Nice to meet you. I almost fell over there.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Good to see you.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17You're all volunteers. Yeah. Yeah.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19How many rescues would you say you do a year up here?
0:02:19 > 0:02:22We do about 100 a year... Wow. ..on average.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Wow. I hope you're not going to have to rescue me in the next four days.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26I'm planning on not breaking anything.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29The next 20 minutes is what you've got to watch out for.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31OK. HE LAUGHS
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Who's going to lead the way? I'm definitely not going first.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40The Brecon Beacons National Park
0:02:40 > 0:02:45is spread over a staggering 520 square miles.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48There are more than 2,800 rights of way.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And for the cyclist, the steep, rocky terrain is ideal
0:02:53 > 0:02:55for the thrill-seeking adventurer.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Although the first leg of my journey is only two miles,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03with the bumps and bruises, it feels more like 20.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Oh, oh!
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Happily, no Mountain Rescue needed.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Cheers, Steve.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Nice, mate. Thank you.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20So, it's off to my support team to collect my next bike.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Now it's time for me to get some miles under my belt,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26and that means swapping my mountain bike for my road bike.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I've got a total of four days
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and now the best part of 170 miles to cover,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33both on and off road.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Now, I love my mountain bike, but I'm probably a roadie at heart.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42I've covered literally thousands of miles on my road bike...
0:03:46 > 0:03:48so I'm always happy to put like lycras on,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50although I probably wouldn't admit that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51Thanks, Sacha.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Having come down from the mountains,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I'm now moving into the beautiful Brecon Valley.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07This is the lowest part of my route.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10From here, it's pretty much uphill all the way.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20For the next leg of my journey,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I'm catching up with an old mate of mine,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Paralympic track cycling gold medallist
0:04:24 > 0:04:25and MBE Mark Colbourne.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Hey! How are you, buddy? Hey, I'm good. How are you doing?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30How's it going? Good to see you. Give us a hug, man.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33It's awesome to see you, mate. You OK? Yeah, really good.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35You're looking really well. Cheers, mate. Thank you. Wow.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Look how fit you look. Ah, mate, you've got to go easy on me today.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40The banter's started, hasn't it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Well, looking forward to spending some time with you today.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Yeah, it'll be cool, actually. In my office.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47THEY LAUGH
0:04:47 > 0:04:49What is it that you love about cycling?
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Obviously, I broke my back in 2009 paragliding, which...
0:04:54 > 0:04:57You know, they say life begins at 40 and it certainly did for me,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00thinking my life had ended, if I'm honest.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I was in a dark place.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05However, thankfully, half my legs worked
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and it was only that half I needed, you know,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11and the opportunity then came along for London 2012
0:05:11 > 0:05:13and then I just gave it 100%.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16The love for me is that exhilaration,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18that you're in control of the speed... Yeah.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21..how fast you want to go or how slow you want to go,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26and just being out in the fresh air, you know. It's lush, isn't it?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28We were made to be free as human beings, you know,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30and this environment makes me feel accomplished.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Shall we crack on, then? Entirely up to you, mate.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Do you promise you'll go easy on me now? I promise to go easy.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Good stuff. Oh, wheel spin already! HE LAUGHS
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Showing off now. Good stuff.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Mark fell 35 feet in his accident
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and was left with lower-leg paralysis.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50There were fears that he might never walk again,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53but just three years later at the 2012 Paralympics
0:05:53 > 0:05:56he won gold in the velodrome, setting a new cycling record.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59That's impressive by anyone's standards.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02But obviously cycling means much more to Mark
0:06:02 > 0:06:03than purely winning competitions.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07I think the great thing about cycling is it gives you
0:06:07 > 0:06:09that sort of mind, no mind feeling.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10Yeah, it does. Yeah, exactly.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13What you're doing is you're emptying your thoughts.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Yeah. But the subconsciousness is that you're taking everything in.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Yeah. I love that.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22You know, imagine when you've stepped out playing for Wales,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25you were so focused.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Actually I was BLEEP myself. THEY LAUGH
0:06:29 > 0:06:31You wasn't, mate. You was far from it, actually.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35But when you stepped onto the pitch and the game's started,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37you're thinking, but you're not thinking.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39You're right. And cycling is the same.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43So, this is what I say to anybody that starts riding... Yeah.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47..is learn the skills, but don't think about it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Just let it happen subconsciously, you know?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Like Mark, I have a passion for cycling.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Like me, he can't help being competitive.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02So, then, Richie, ready to open the engines a little bit? Yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04You know, you've had a great ride today
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and we've a nice stretch ahead of us now,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08so if you want to ramp it up a little...
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Yeah. I see your point. See how long I can hang in there.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Yeah? Yeah. Wait, can I just straighten this mic out before?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Yeah. Ah! THEY LAUGH
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Cheers, mate. OK? Yeah. Enjoy that? I did. Great. Brilliant.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53So, where you off next then, Rich?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55I'm heading up the Elan Valley now.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Fancy joining me? Well, if you're up for it.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I was hoping you were going to say "No, I don't want to go off road!"
0:08:01 > 0:08:04THEY LAUGH There's life in the old dog yet.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05I know there is.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Mark pulls ahead and soon leaves me, and so does the calm weather.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I'm heading into the Cambrian Mountains,
0:08:19 > 0:08:24so it's back to my mountain bike and into my wet weather gear.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26I've got 16 miles to go in the driving rain
0:08:26 > 0:08:29before I can finally stop for a rest.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39It's day two of my four-day cycling adventure.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I'm now pedalling into the heart of the spectacular Elan Valley
0:08:42 > 0:08:45here in Mid Wales.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The Elan Valley sits in the Cambrian Mountains
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and I have 59 miles to cover to Dolgellau
0:08:52 > 0:08:54in the southern reaches of Snowdonia.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58The views are just breathtaking
0:08:58 > 0:09:02in this place that was shaped by Victorian ingenuity.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08The six reservoirs they built
0:09:08 > 0:09:12still provide more than 360 million litres of fresh water
0:09:12 > 0:09:16to tens of thousands of people across Wales and England.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24The rugged beauty of this environmentally-sensitive area
0:09:24 > 0:09:28is being protected by Welsh Water and the Elan Valley Trust.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Around every corner there's a view that takes my breath away...
0:09:37 > 0:09:42..even when the wild Welsh weather does its best to cover it up.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45If the rain comes in,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49I just hope we don't get winter and the snow, but it's still...
0:09:51 > 0:09:53It's still absolutely beautiful.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55You know,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58it really is a spectacular part of the world,
0:09:58 > 0:10:03and, in fact, this road that I'm cycling on now
0:10:03 > 0:10:07is voted by the AA as not just
0:10:07 > 0:10:09one of the most beautiful roads in Wales,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13but it's ranked as one of the top ten most beautiful roads
0:10:13 > 0:10:16in the whole world.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17That's pretty cool.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Even though the weather's closed in, it's hard to leave this place,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24but I need to push on for the next 25 miles.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I've got a 3pm appointment I can't be late for,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34and I'm hoping to come face to claw
0:10:34 > 0:10:36with a real icon of this part of the world.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39This is Nant yr Arian,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42home to the magnificent raptors I've come to meet -
0:10:42 > 0:10:44the national bird of Wales, the red kite.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Once abundant, by the 1930s, these majestic birds
0:10:54 > 0:10:57had been almost hunted to extinction.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00They were only saved by what has become
0:11:00 > 0:11:02the world's longest ever continuous conservation programme.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Gareth Owen is the man in charge of the centre.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10He's been looking after the red kites for ten years.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16The red kites are fed here at 3pm every day, 365 days a year.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I'm a real sort of big bird, bird of prey geek.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Oh, right. OK. I....
0:11:21 > 0:11:25I've been really excited to actually spend some time with these guys.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Yeah, yeah.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The birds are fed with the offcuts from the local butcher.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33With the rain and the mist, I'm hoping they can see it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36In true Welsh fashion, the mist has come in today,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39but hopefully when it clears we'll get a chance to see them.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40Yes, absolutely.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44How big are they? Up close, I can't get my head around it at the moment.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45They're quite big.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48They've got a wingspan of about five foot seven,
0:11:48 > 0:11:49but they've quite small bodies
0:11:49 > 0:11:52so they're pretty much all feathers really. Quite light.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56They're only about a bag of sugar in weight.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58That's what I love about them, I think,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02how they combine this majesty and grace with... Yeah.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Obviously, being a bird of prey, there's primal power as well.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08It's hard to believe that they were almost extinct
0:12:08 > 0:12:11not that long ago, either. Relatively not that long ago.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Yeah, persecuted almost to extinction.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15The Welsh population,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17as we see them today, came from that lower number.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Is it fair to say that that's the reason why
0:12:20 > 0:12:21it's the national bird of Wales?
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Oh, it's got to be. I think so.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I mean, as we've mentioned, they're a beautiful bird, and, yeah,
0:12:26 > 0:12:27it's great the public voted
0:12:27 > 0:12:30for the kite to be the national bird, definitely.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So, Gareth, help me out. What do I do here, then?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Literally just grab a pile. Yeah.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Hands in there and out it goes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40In the winter, when food is scarce,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43more than 200 birds come here to feed.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44However, it's now midsummer,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47so typically numbers reduce to around 40.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51But the fog has come in
0:12:51 > 0:12:54and it may stop the birds from diving for the food.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00But just when I feared I wouldn't see the birds close up...
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Thank you so much, Gareth, for having me here today. Not at all.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31Seeing them so close, I mean, they're just majestic.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33They're wonderful, wonderful animals.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Absolutely. "Majestic" is a brilliant word to describe them.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Well, the last thing I want to do now
0:13:38 > 0:13:42is get back on my bike in this weather. Fair enough.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44I've still got 30 miles or so to go
0:13:44 > 0:13:48so I'm going to have to shoot before all the food's gone.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Once again, though, thank you, Gareth.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Not at all. Been a pleasure. Thank you. Take care. Cheers.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58I'm now well into the heart of Wales and heading north.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Nant yr Arian has some great trails,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03so the cycling is about to get much more technical.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07This next section is all off road so I'm leaving the crew behind,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10which mean it's just the cameras I'm wearing.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I hate to say this, guys,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31but I'm having much more fun on this section.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34I don't think it's cos you're not here. Maybe.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47This is not a good sign.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00All right.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15I know it's not for everyone, being soaking wet,
0:15:15 > 0:15:20working hard to stay warm and in the middle of absolutely nowhere,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23but for me, I absolutely love it.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Absolutely love it.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I've had a good sleep and time to take stock.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I'm now more than halfway through my trail-blazing adventure
0:15:40 > 0:15:43creating the highest cycle route in Wales.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Today is going to be tough.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Quick change of clothes and I'm here to pick my trail bike up,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50which has longer suspension travel.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53This is because I'm at Coed-y-Brenin,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Britain's first purpose-built mountain bike trail centre.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00The centre was set up and is still run
0:16:00 > 0:16:02by veteran rider Sian Roberts.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06In the world of two wheels and occasionally no wheels
0:16:06 > 0:16:09she's a mountain biking pioneer.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13You've been called the godmother of mountain biking.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17I don't know if that's true. The creator of Coed-y-Brenin.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18I read somewhere online that
0:16:18 > 0:16:21this could actually be the first trail centre in the world,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23not just in Britain. Yeah, possibly. Exactly, yeah.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26A proper trail centre with a trailhead and everything.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Exactly, yeah. I love that it started in Wales. I love that.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Yeah, yeah. It's awesome. It's wicked.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32This is the Tarw Du.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Now, Welsh language isn't my first language
0:16:34 > 0:16:36but I know what this means. It means the black bull. Yep.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Is that what I can expect? Yeah, definitely.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43A black trail. Lots of really rocky, gnarly descents. Yeah.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45A couple of little, rocky, quite challenging climbs.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50That's what you can expect. It'll be great fun. You'll be fine.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53I love how confident you are. Great. Right, OK.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55So, I'll do the first bit with you
0:16:55 > 0:16:57and I'll let you go off and enjoy yourself. Wicked.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Excellent. We'll see. OK, cool.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12Oh, it's awesome.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18You can see why the Tarw Du gets its name.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20It's certainly not for the faint-hearted.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41That was awesome, Sian. Excellent.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Well, this is where I'm going to leave you.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Do you know what? It's been amazing to spend some time with you.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48It's been brilliant. Thank you. Take care.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50You look after yourself. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51I will.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58This rugged landscape is crisscrossed with trails
0:17:58 > 0:18:01that are perfect for mountain bikers.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I'd love to detour
0:18:03 > 0:18:06but I've 25 miles to go before I get to my next stop-off,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10so it's eyes to the north as I head deep into Snowdonia.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26This is Blaenau Ffestiniog,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29which was once the second largest town in North Wales.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31The reason for its rapid growth
0:18:31 > 0:18:36was the abundance of a natural resource - slate.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37In the early 1800s,
0:18:37 > 0:18:42Blaenau became home to a huge open-cast slate mining industry.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43These hills are man-made,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46created from millions of pieces of slate,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49the unwanted waste from the mining process.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54The slate boom lasted about 100 years
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and the legacy of the slag hills left behind
0:18:56 > 0:18:59was a bit of an unwanted eyesore for the community here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01But it's amazing what can be achieved
0:19:01 > 0:19:05through the spirit of adventure and with a bit of creativity
0:19:05 > 0:19:07as now it's become the perfect terrain
0:19:07 > 0:19:08for another biking discipline.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Downhill.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19British professional cyclist Tracy Moseley
0:19:19 > 0:19:21started competing at just 13,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and in 2010 became the World Downhill Mountain Bike Champion.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Hiya, Tracy, how are you doing? Hey. Good, thanks. How are you?
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I'm really good, thank you. How are you doing? Wicked.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41First up, congratulations.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Thank you. I know you're current Enduro World Champion
0:19:44 > 0:19:46but you're ripping the Series at the moment. Yeah.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48I had another little go back at the World Series
0:19:48 > 0:19:51a few weeks ago in Ireland to manage to turn up and take the win,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53so that was a pretty cool way to start my season.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55How did you get into downhill mountain biking, then?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58So, I think I've really got my older brother Ed to thank.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01He got into cross-country mountain biking at the time.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03I was kind of his lazy little sister
0:20:03 > 0:20:05that didn't really like having to pedal up hills
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and just enjoyed the thrill and that adrenaline of downhill.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I think it's just that adrenaline rush,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13that real speed, pushing yourself to the limit
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and really trying to beat the terrain.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17You're going to run me through my paces then?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Yeah! Definitely! Cool to go.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20You need a helmet before we get going,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22and then we should be good to go.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04The mind's an amazing thing, cos my body is tired,
0:21:04 > 0:21:10it's the end of the third big day, but I'm just buzzing.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12I'm like a bottle of pop.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's been an amazing day with two mountain-biking legends
0:21:16 > 0:21:19and genuinely lovely people.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24I've still got a long way to go to the top of Snowdon over there,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27so I can't rest on my laurels just yet.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39It's day four and the final leg of my epic cycle through Wales.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I'm heading into the heart of Snowdonia National Park,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47home to Wales's highest mountain.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50I know this terrain well, and it can be pretty brutal.
0:21:50 > 0:21:56Famously, Sir Edmund Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay
0:21:56 > 0:22:01used Snowdon to prepare for their 1953 ascent of Everest.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07In fact, Wales has a rich connection and history with the mountain,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11and in fact she was named after a Welshman -
0:22:11 > 0:22:15the Welsh geologist and surveyor, Sir George Everest.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25But mountains and rocks aren't just for climbing
0:22:25 > 0:22:27or admiring while you cycle through them.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31They also reveal incredible secrets about our ancient past.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Dr Lynda Yorke lectures in physical geography at Bangor University.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40One of her favourite places on earth is Cwm Idwal
0:22:40 > 0:22:41here in Snowdonia.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Well, I love this place, and I know that you do, too.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49I do. Could you help me understand, though,
0:22:49 > 0:22:50how these mountains were created?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It starts about 550 million years ago
0:22:53 > 0:22:57and we had this really explosive volcanic activity.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01And all of this area was this really active volcano zone,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04a bit like what you see in the Andes, present day.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Yeah. Taking me back to GCSE geography,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10that is a glacial trough. It is indeed!
0:23:10 > 0:23:13It's the most fantastic example of a glacial trough you'll see.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15So, yeah, originally,
0:23:15 > 0:23:1830,000 years ago to about 15,000 years ago,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20all of this area was under ice.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21And we had ice coming out of the mountains
0:23:21 > 0:23:23from the Snowdonia range,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26the North Wales ice ploughing down this valley,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29carving out this fantastic glacial trough,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32so that really shaped the main part of this landscape.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Is it true that Darwin's theory of evolution
0:23:36 > 0:23:38started here in North Wales,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41or North Wales played a part in that?
0:23:41 > 0:23:42It definitely did.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Back in about sort of 1831,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Darwin came here with his geology professor.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50There was actually some famous boulders
0:23:50 > 0:23:53named after Darwin just on the other side of the cwm,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57which he sort of deduced had been transported on the top of the ice,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and as the ice melted away, they'd fallen through the gaps in the ice.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02And we can still see them today.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Wow. That's awesome. That is really cool.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And now it's one of the most amazing adventure destinations
0:24:08 > 0:24:11in the world and it's right on our doorstep as well.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It is. Talking here,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I know I've got to get back on my bike, haven't I?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19You have. You've got a long way to go.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20I have. I have.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22And a big rock to climb as well, the biggest here in Wales.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27But before I take on the last leg of my journey,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30these are Darwin's rocks.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33It's remarkable to think that Snowdonia helped him form
0:24:33 > 0:24:35his ground-breaking ideas.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41But now it's time for me to face my final challenge -
0:24:41 > 0:24:43cycling to the place that was created in the chaos
0:24:43 > 0:24:45of massive volcanic upheaval.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50The summit of Snowdon sits at 3,560 feet,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52and it's here in the clouds where my route ends.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58This is Llanberis Path
0:24:58 > 0:25:01and the only route up the mountain by bike.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03In peak season bikes are only allowed on here
0:25:03 > 0:25:07before ten in the morning and after five in the evening.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09And as it's just turned five,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11this is my chance to reach the summit.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I've run up here many times before
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and I'd never say it's been an easy day,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42but I tell you what, this is the first time I've ridden and...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Oh, wow.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48My legs are screaming.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53How are you guys doing?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56All right? That's a lovely smile there, that.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00That's what I need to get me to the top.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I reckon...
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I reckon if I didn't have
0:26:16 > 0:26:19the best part of 170 miles in my legs,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23and I wasn't shattered,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26this actually would be pretty cool.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33I don't know which is harder -
0:26:33 > 0:26:37cycling up here or climbing it with my legs.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46What an amazing way to finish this journey, though.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36The summit of Mount Snowdon, Wales's highest mountain,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39and what a fitting end to an amazing journey.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47It just wouldn't be an adventure without an epic in it somewhere,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51and to think we're in the middle of summer here in Wales!
0:27:51 > 0:27:54It's just... It's just awesome.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56It wouldn't have been a fitting end
0:27:56 > 0:28:00rolling in somewhere with a hot cup of coffee waiting for me.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04And the journey's been made all the richer
0:28:04 > 0:28:07for the people that I've met along it.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And not just the ones that I knew I was going to meet
0:28:10 > 0:28:14but the people that I've met just on this last section of the journey.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18And to think I've created a new cycling route in Wales
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and the highest cycling route in Wales.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22It's just awesome.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28And what an amazing way to mark Wales' Year Of Adventure.