MARCUS QUEENBOROUGH gets himself up to speed with some fun new activities in North Wales
WITH the fastest zip line in the world, and brand new Quarry Karts, Zip World has to be the most exhilarating experience you can enjoy in a day. Velocity 2 takes you at speeds of more than 100 miles an hour down the 1,555-metre line.
Yes, that’s almost a mile in old money. It quite literally takes your breath away. I know – I tried to scream my way down the entire run.
You’re strapped into a special safety harness, and hooked onto the runner then, as the loading bay platform lowers below you, you hover a few feet above the ground.
Nothing to it, you just have time to think as the cry goes out : “3... 2...1...” then away you go, zipping through the air, rapidly gathering speed.
First, the sight of the side of the slate mine zooms by, and the world abruptly drops below you.
The quarry lake appears hundreds of feet below you as you ease across its turquoise expanse, still screaming.
Trying to take in the breathtaking scenery is difficult because of the roar of the wind in your ears, the sheer speed at which you’re travelling...
And the screaming. Don’t forget the screaming.
Then, all too soon, you reach the bottom. With a mighty jolt from the braking system, you come to a standstill.
A worker tells you to grab hold of a large metal pole to bring you back down to safety.
I really loved this – total excitement and exhilaration, a fantastic experience over far too quickly – and wished it could have lasted longer.
Back down to ground and Zip World’s latest addition is Quarry Karts, reckoned to be the first in the country, and for those over the age of 15.
It does what it says on the tin. You race down the side of the disused slate quarry in Bethesda.
Starting at 1,500ft above sea level at a 10% gradient, you tear down the three-kilometre track at speeds of up to 40 mph.
This is great, a little dangerous, slightly scary, but fantastic fun. Whizzing along on the three-wheeled mountain carts, through the chicanes, under the tunnel, and round the tight bends to the bottom, we all found it brilliant.
There are no constraints, you just speed down as fast as you can go.
We did have one crash, resulting in a
MARCUS QUEENBROUGH
few cuts and bruises, but this only seemed to add to the excitement and thrill of the ride.
You get two trips down the mountain, with the ride to the top taking around 15 minutes in a bright red, and very bumpy, army truck.
Racing down on gravity alone, this seems to go on for ages on the very steep mountain track.
All my kids really loved this unique experience. You’re only limited by how brave you feel and the need to be in control of your own speed at all times.
Between the two adventures, we had lunch in the bright restaurant, with views over the quarry lake said to have been the deepest man-made hole in the world until the Chinese took the title.
And, on what is a rare occasion in this part of the world, bright blue waters reflected an even bluer sky.
The Zip World stable is ever growing and the company now has three sites in the area. It’s a brilliant day out for any family, or special birthday, stag or hen do.
Did I say mention you might scream?