In reply to Reach>Talent:
> (In reply to tlm)
> She cycles to work occasionally on tarmac cycle paths, she definitely isn't an experienced cyclist. I am a very lapsed xc rider not really having spent any time on the bike in about 5 years, although then I was perfectly capable of swearing my way down the odd bit of black graded stuff. I think we will probably try Coed y Brenin and see how that goes.
If I was you, I would go to the stuff around Betys-y-coed first. On the whole is is pretty, interesting, enjoyable, but not quite as technical as the stuff at Coed y Brenin. Most of the routes at Coed y Brenin have got some rocky downhill stuff which is only really fun if you are feeling confident.
Another thought that I had, depending on how confident she is/isn't, is the cycle through the slate quarries, which is basically a wide, flat track, with a gentle descent if you go from west to east...
I would start gentler than you think that you need to - that would be more confidence building, that you take her to something and it is a bit too easy for her, rather than the alternative. I know that in the past I've been a bit too overenthusiastic myself and put people right off things by suggesting stuff that is too hard - it's easy to do if you are confident about it yourself and don't notice that anyone else might have a problem with it (just look at the thread about approaches to crags).
My ex husband went off my lovely suggestions for walks after I took him on a really nice walk over the Aonach Eagach ridge!