Riding this weekend? Llandegla - done, with some pics now.

GT Destroyer

We are planning a ride at Llandegla on Sat. We've never been before, and it looks like it'll be raining. Are the trails any good in the wet?

Is there any point in going if its peeing it down? I don't mind getting muddy at all, but I have found that its difficult to get any kind of flow or rhythm thus you don't enjoy the trail as much as if it were dry, you know what I mean?

So is a wet Llandegla a good Llandegla?

Thanks

Mancunianfightingcat

yeah, it'll still be fun in the wet, sure it's better in the dry but just hold back a couple of mph and you should still be able to flow

Stu 74

Yes a wet Llandegla is a good Llandegla.

Personally, if I was to choose any North Wales trail centre to ride in the wet it would be Llandegla. Its mostly under the cover of trees and there aren't many boggy sections. The best singletrack sections ride well in any conditions as the drainage is very good.

Out of the 100 plus times that I have ridden Llandegla (I go however bad the weather!) there have only been 2 occassions where I wished I stayed at home. Both were when I got caught without proper waterproofs in extreme and prolonged downpours!

Besides the weather forecast says sunny intervals this weekend!

Stu

GT Destroyer

Yeah I'm hoping the rain stays away for Saturday.

I see there are 3 trails to choose from - The full black route takes in most of the red route anwyay, so we were thinking of warming up on the blue, have a bit of a break and a sarny, then do the red, but do the black at the same time? Would that be sensible given that you are so familiar with it? We usually ride about 18K each week at Wharncliffe.

Yeti575

Post on here if it's any good mate as I'm hoping to sneak in a quick ride whilst down there with work this week.

Anonymous

GT Destroyer wrote:

Yeah I'm hoping the rain stays away for Saturday.

I see there are 3 trails to choose from - The full black route takes in most of the red route anwyay, so we were thinking of warming up on the blue, have a bit of a break and a sarny, then do the red, but do the black at the same time? Would that be sensible given that you are so familiar with it? We usually ride about 18K each week at Wharncliffe.

The black is really just the red route, with a few extra bits, so if you're up for doing the black sections (there's nothing scary there at all anymore, but the climb out of the black is quite formidable) then you may as well do them in one loop.

Watch out for the JJ's Jumps section (the final black section) is you're not used to jumping.
It's a good place to learn the technique, and in my opinion, they are much better crafted than the first jumps you come across.

(however, they have been refurbishing some sections, so a few things may have changed in the last fortnight I guess)

Stu 74

Personally I would do the Red / Black loop and then the Blue afterwards rather than the Blue first. You will get a good warm up on the first climb in any case!

I would ceratinly give the Blue a go though, it can be quite good fun if you hammer it!

Let us know how you get on.

Stu

GT Destroyer

Well its all planned - We are setting off from Dewsbury (near Leeds) at 7AM. I think we'll probably end up doing just the black route, but with all the red too of course. I'll take some pics if I can be bothered getting the phone out.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Got to go to bed now - Lots of driving and riding to do tomorrow!

GT Destroyer

Absolutely brilliant. Will go again. Well worth the 90 minute drive.

We did the full red route plus the black bits too, never jumped like that before. The trail begs you to get airborne, I know what you mean about the double jumps on the final black bit.

There was one guy who came off and landed on his head, he was being ushered back up the trail by paramedics, with a back brace on - Get well soon, hope the injury wasn't too serious.

We met a group of guys who were doing the route at the same time as us, one on a Crush and the other on an attack trail - As always anyone we came across (ooer) was decent and glad to chat away to us.

The first climb is an absolute dog, I was on my knees by the time we got to the juicy stuff. There is so much variation, fast flowing sections, BIG jumps, northshore, and loads of climbs, loads of climbs.

The trails are mostly fire-roady type stuff, so there was no standing water, although it is basically all damp as its under cover of the forest trees.

Here are some pics I took - The last one is possibly the best photo I've ever taken, I'm well pleased with it.

Scenery shot


Second scenery shot


Easy G - Look at his hair, what a loser!!


Me - Looking like an absolute gimp, look at my feet for god's sake


This was looking down one of the trails - One of the riders we met


Our rides - After we'd cleaned them up with the bike-wash


This is my Mocha, complete with Marshmallows, it tasted well nice


This is the best one - Its just at the start, I thought it would be a good pic with the sun coming through the trees, and it is, Im made up!

Anonymous

GT Destroyer wrote:

The first climb is an absolute dog, I was on my knees by the time we got to the juicy stuff. There is so much variation, fast flowing sections, BIG jumps, northshore, and loads of climbs, loads of climbs.

Ah, you English pansies, so many people moan about the first climb. There's not even a mountain there

Honestly though, I remember thinking the same thing, when I first got back on the bike (we spent a load of time riding Llandegla - it really is such good fun) "damn that first climb"

then we went to Coed y Brenin again, and remembered what real climbing is like :oops:

Mrs Toast

Glad you had a good time, Mr Toast and I are planning to visit Llandegla in August. Incidentally, how hard is the red route there? I'm trying to decide whether I should tackle it myself - I can do the red in Cannock Chase fine, but I know that's generally regarded as an 'easier' red.

Anonymous

The only technically challenging thing on the red is a piece of boardwalk about three quarters of the way round.
Lots of people seem to come unstuck on it, but really it's just mind over matter.
the rest of it is pretty smooth, with nicely bermed corners. A 10k BMX track, basically

Stu 74

Glad you enjoyed it! Next time you will have even more fun because you will know what to expect!

Stu

GT Destroyer

Mrs Toast - The red is fine, as said theres the boardwalk thing (which I think we went on?) but apart from that its not too challenging.

Man I am aching this morning! Slept from 6PM (fell asleep on the sofa) till just now! My legs are killing me, in fact my whole body is.

easyg

Good pics GT, although you can boll0cks to your comment about my hair!

Llandegla was great. GT and I particularly liked the black section which unlike most was actually more about pace and rythmn, as opposed to being technical. I think that is the best feeling of 'flow' I've had to date, interrupted only occasionally when the front wheel slipped out a tad and reminded me I wasn't immortal.

I think both of us spent most of the descent in the air shouting, which is always a good sign unless you land on your head like that poor guy. Get well from me too mate if you're there!

Would definately recommend it, and as far as reds go its a joy to ride, nothing majorly hazardous if I recall.

Easy.

PS - GT you don't remember the board walk bit mate, because you couldn't breath and were talking to the little birds in the trees!

easyg

Good pics GT, although you can boll0cks to your comment about my hair!

Llandegla was great. GT and I particularly liked the black section which unlike most was actually more about pace and rythmn, as opposed to being technical. I think that is the best feeling of 'flow' I've had to date, interrupted only occasionally when the front wheel slipped out a tad and reminded me I wasn't immortal.

I think both of us spent most of the descent in the air shouting, which is always a good sign unless you land on your head like that poor guy. Get well from me too mate if you're there!

Would definately recommend it, and as far as reds go its a joy to ride, nothing majorly hazardous if I recall.

Easy.

PS - GT you don't remember the board walk bit mate, because you couldn't breath and were talking to the little birds in the trees!

robmanic1

Bad memories of the black run, headbutted a tree last year on the "doubles" that was the end of my ride. It's very fast and, like you say, encourages you to get airborne. No good for the likes of me who's skills dont match the ambition. Great pics by the way!

psilocybe

My first time there today, tripped on a rock even before I'd got on my bike lol. All in all a damn good couple of hrs or so, glad I didnt drive the 2.5-3 hrs there and same back from Notts.

Did the red and black runs at a moderate wheels to the ground pace tbh. Got a bit cocky later on and jumped this bloody log on the floor just at the side of a small downhill bit and flew straight into a ditch, over the bars and a grazed shoulder but still had a lotta fun.

The starting climb is kinda cool but some of the others get on ya nerves a bit, lovely place to ride though in any weather no doubt.

dirtbiker100

Where is this climb people talk about at llandegla? I've ridden the black twice now and theres a couple of short slopes mid way round but i never saw anything at the start? Is this the trail that starts from the main carpark?

GT Destroyer

Yeah - It goes from the car park up in to the trees, you mess about going through the trees for a while then the trail spits you out into a big area where the trees looked like they had been felled recently. Its quite rocky, its more of a gradual uphill rather than a steep climb, I was absolutely knackered!

Anyone else thinking of going here - If you aren't super fit you need to chill out after the climbs, I personally found that I was plunged into a big DH-ish sections after a hard climb, arms were shaking and I was knackered loads of times! If you are fit, then it don't matter!!

sparrowlegs78

We hope to go this weekend...we always have to stop after a climb anyway or the Hubby will have a heart attack..and i need him to drive home lol

GT Destroyer

I just read the thread on it! The first climb for me was absolutely horrid, I am not really unfit, but not what I'd call fit, carrying some extra weight! Its so long and rocky, but well worth it once you get to the meaty bits.

Mancunianfightingcat

Try the Marin trail at Gwydyr if you want along dull climb to start with!