Afan on Thursday

NikB

I'm off to Afan on Thursday for the first time. I've seen that a lot of people manage both the Whites Level and the Wall rides in 1 day. Bearing in mind that I have a 4-5 hour drive to get there followed by another 1-2 hour drive to Bristol afterwards, how feasible is it ot do both in one day?

Also how fit do you have to be to get both done as it will be 40km in total. I have managed the 33km or whatever it is of the red Dalby route but I was pretty much spent by the end of it.

Any opinions?

BigJimmyB

Hi there.

My friends and I did Penhydd and The Wall on one day, then Whites level the next.

The first 2 were 5 hours in the saddle in total, with long dull climbs. Ouch!

Whites is accessed from another Trail Centre and for my money is the better of the three (was the highlight of my weekend). I'd suggest trying that first, then maybe doing one of the others if you still feel up for it.

Enjoy!

NikB

Thanks for that. I was going to do Whites first so I'll see how I feel I guess.

chrisga

Didnt like the first climb of Whites trail, I was too knackered to enjoy the down bit after but if you are a climber I guess you'll love it.
Does anyone know if there is an easier route up to the top of the down bit for Whites Trail as it kind of meets a fire road at the top.
The wall in my eyes was an easier ride and more enjoyable as I could still talk at the top but again I wasnt designed to ride bikes uphill....

pittpony

I loved all the trails and as long as you make an early start you'll have plenty of time for 2 in a day. My favourite was the wall, but that's probably because we rode Whites in the middle of an horrendous storm! Whites was far and away my favourite climb though - so much more interesting riding technical uphills than fireroads 8) I'd describe it as demanding but rewarding

BigJimmyB

Yeah Pittpony, I agree.

Thought the climbs on The Wall and Penhydd were dull, all double fire road - we got off and walked some of it cos riding just wasn't much fun.

Whites was much more enjoyable. The first bit was a bit same-ish, but the ST bit after that was great, and the descent made all that climbing worth it.

Great countryside and views from all 3 that I rode, if you're into that kind of thing ;-)

Wish I didn't live a four hour drive away or I'd be a more regular visitor.

ddw

i live 10 mins from afan forest and i can say that for technical trail riding whites is the best. an amazingly hard technical ascent, barely any forestry road at all! and absolutely amazing downhill with proper welsh flow and a fun mini "north shore" style section over a bog. theres also a black section which is great if you like jumps et al. to be honest mate, just ride that twice! the wall has far too much forestry road climbing and the descent, whilst great, is over in a flash!

BigJimmyB

So NikB, how did you get on?