End of the Ponderosa
Discussion
https://wrexham.com/news/ponderosa-popular-horsesh...
A regular and very popular stop for both two and four wheeled petrol heads on the Horseshoe pass in North Wales to permanently close its doors after 42 years
Very sad news
"The café, located on the A542 between Ruthin and Llangollen, has long been a popular stop for motorcyclists and tourists, offering stunning views and a welcoming atmosphere.
There has also been frustration about changes to the local area.
“The state of some of the roads, average speed cameras and reduced speed limits have ruined driving that area unfortunately,” one customer said.
Another wrote, “I’m sure the enforced speed limits played no small part in crippling a thriving and popular business.”
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A regular and very popular stop for both two and four wheeled petrol heads on the Horseshoe pass in North Wales to permanently close its doors after 42 years
Very sad news
"The café, located on the A542 between Ruthin and Llangollen, has long been a popular stop for motorcyclists and tourists, offering stunning views and a welcoming atmosphere.
There has also been frustration about changes to the local area.
“The state of some of the roads, average speed cameras and reduced speed limits have ruined driving that area unfortunately,” one customer said.
Another wrote, “I’m sure the enforced speed limits played no small part in crippling a thriving and popular business.”
Sad news, Its been quite a hub for many years.
I live around 40 miles away, its always been a great meeting point.
Was always good to have a good walkaround on a sunny weekend, have met some interesting people and had a few good chats there over the years.
I can understand the challenges though, seasonal business, overheads.etc
Would be good if the location could remain as a meeting point for us petrolheads though, Im secretly hoping someone else may take it on, North West branch for Caffeine & Machine?
I live around 40 miles away, its always been a great meeting point.
Was always good to have a good walkaround on a sunny weekend, have met some interesting people and had a few good chats there over the years.
I can understand the challenges though, seasonal business, overheads.etc
Would be good if the location could remain as a meeting point for us petrolheads though, Im secretly hoping someone else may take it on, North West branch for Caffeine & Machine?
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Tuesday 11th March 09:14
AlexGSi2000 said:
Would be good if the location could remain as a meeting point for us petrolheads though, Im secretly hoping someone else may take it on, North West branch for Caffeine & Machine?
That would be ideal. It is close enough to the border to get people travelling from the NW as well as from N Wales and it is in a beatiful location. There are a few 'competing' event locations, but nothing massive. Its main problem is that it is still a bit of a trip and in a spot that can be a little bleak so out of season could struggle unless it became a go-to location like Caffeine and Machine.Damm....We had a feeling it wouldn't be long before they closed. We visited it a few times when doing North Wales trips on the bikes and cars. Last time we were there the gift shop was closed and it was mostly empty on the inside. There weren't many patrons for a weekend-but it was very foggy up there.
It's a real shame as I really wanted a bigger sweatshirt with the Pondersoa logo on it. My current one is a little shrunk....
It's a real shame as I really wanted a bigger sweatshirt with the Pondersoa logo on it. My current one is a little shrunk....
I have frequented the Ponderosa for a good few years on an all year round basis. It was sometimes a meeting point, sometimes a stopping point and also often a destination in itself.
Such a shame its time has come to an end, have to find an alternative now, the Loch Side cafe in Bala is not too bad if not a chunk of distance further out
Such a shame its time has come to an end, have to find an alternative now, the Loch Side cafe in Bala is not too bad if not a chunk of distance further out
One of my regular destinations. It's a real shame - food was greasy as hell, but all the better for it.
I think the speed limits thing is a red herring. Last 2 times I headed up there were crashes., One was a serious head on as some lad overtook on the descent to Llangollen, the other a bike and car.
Castrol for a knave said:
One of my regular destinations. It's a real shame - food was greasy as hell, but all the better for it.
I think the speed limits thing is a red herring. Last 2 times I headed up there were crashes., One was a serious head on as some lad overtook on the descent to Llangollen, the other a bike and car.
Same for me (regular destination for early morning drives and my dog loved the sausage rolls). I haven’t been to the cafe at Bala so a timely reminder to explore.I think the speed limits thing is a red herring. Last 2 times I headed up there were crashes., One was a serious head on as some lad overtook on the descent to Llangollen, the other a bike and car.
NomadicTurbo said:
Om said:
There are a few 'competing' event locations, but nothing massive.
Interested to hear about the others as I used to live locally but have moved out to Cheshire now but always looking for places to stop whilst out on a drive 
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