All of Snowdonia's biggest ticks, shoehorned into one awesome ride: the highest point, the biggest natural descent, the greatest vertical drop … sound good? Of course it does. And, as this there-and-back route is the easiest way up and down, it's within the abilities of most riders. You can see it coming, can't you? There's a catch. If you want the biggest natural descent in Snowdonia, you've got to tackle the longest climb – almost a vertical kilometre of it. You're still on tarmac, having barely left the houses of Llanberis behind when you first find yourself scrabbling for gears. Swinging off tarmac and on to the Snowdon Tourist Track, things ease a little. It's tantalisingly rideable, but right on the limit of endurance and ability, scrambling up little rock slabs and weaving between lumps of rock. Then, just when you begin to dare to think you might reach the top of Snowdon with only a bit of pushing, you hit the section near the second railway bridge. Ride even half of this and you'll have earned yourself a cake. Luckily, it's not far from here to the top, where you can shoulder your bike and carry it up the steps to the trig point for the obligatory summit photo. Now, admiring the view (aka having a breather and a banana), it's time for the fun bit. Saddles down, it's back the way you came up. The first section is fast and flattish. Weave through the rocks, aero tuck along the straight and wooooaaah! Slam the brakes on as you round the big left hander and hit the loose stuff above the bridge. You did remember to check out the lines on the way up, didn't you? Under the railway and into the rocky stepped section. This is the most technical bit here – and the site of many, many punctures. Get through that with your tyres still inflated and you can begin to relax and play around a little. Pop off the boulders, drop the slabs and enjoy the ride because, only too soon, you're back on tarmac for the final brake-burning drop to Llanberis and the cafe. Good, wasn't it?