1st Afan trip coming up.

ads4

Well, I've finally built up the bottle to agree to a trip to Afan........

....having now got some knee pads I'm feeling pretty committed, though I'm a little unsure of my skill/fitness level and how I might cope with Wales :oops:

I have been riding for 5 months now and am definitely a fair bit fitter than I was before the bike! I've lost 1.5 stone and stopped smoking 8 weeks ago so I'm feeling fitter, been cycling around Swinley Forest every week and loving the riding.

So, what would you suggest as a first day at Afan? I don't want to go overboard and do something too technical or strenuous that ruins my day and leaves me worried about my next trip! Thinking about Whites in the morning and Penhydd in the afternoon before heading home again.

Any suggestions gents? Wil I cope with the Northshore on Whites or fall off and come a cropper ?

RealMan

Ads4 wrote:

I've lost 1.5 stone and stopped smoking 8 weeks ago so I'm feeling fitter

Very well done. Really good effort on your part.

And as for Afan, I'll share with you my plan (I'm going there for the first time in a few weeks). I plan to attack at the start, attack somewhere in the middle, attack at the end, and go as fast as I can without killing myself on all the descents. And do as many of the rides there as possible. So pretty much the same as every other ride I do.

paulscutt

you'll have a ball at Afan - make sure you try both trail centre's 'old' Afan and 10mins down the road at Glyncorrwg (signed Glyncorryg ponds)
Going to Afan on sat to ride the wall on my new Remedy 8

Stuey01

Whites Level is harder than Penhydd. I'd do them the other way around, so you get nice and warmed up on Penhydd.

The Wall is also excellent. I'd suggest doing Wall and Whites, but as it is your first time a warm up on the slightly easier Penhydd might be a good idea.

If you've only been riding round Swinley the climbs will kick your ass, but they're well worth it for the rewards

weeksy59

I didn't think Afan was that wonderful.

too rocky on the downhills rather than fast/flowing.

Some nice sections, but overally some were just a pain in the arse.

nferrar

Depends a bit on your fitness but I'd stick with your White's then Penhydd plan personally. White's has a nasty climb up from the start but just take it easy. The trail starts and finishes at the 'new' centre so you can get some decent food afterwards if you need it. Then either cycle or drive to the old centre and do Penhydd. That way around you're still fresh for White's which is better ridden hard IMO, Penhydd climbs are mostly fireroad so you can just cruise up and the descents are more flowy and take less out of your arms.

VWsurfbum

Theres nothing beyond anyones ability there, whytes level is an awesome ride, the climbs even if you walk half of them are ok and dare i say it the single track parts are "fun". the Northshore parts when you get to them you wont even think about them, i was really worried about them especially in the rain but there quite nice when you get there and your bum will like the smoothness! LOL

ads4

Off tomorrow then.... The Wall and Penhydd await

Will be taking tools, spare wheels, tyres.....and plenty of Torq bars

Mccraque

you'll have a blast there. It's as easy or as difficult as you make it really. You'll be nice and satisfyingly tired at the end of each day. I love the descents there. Sure there are a few rocks here and there, but great fun navigating over them. Even the climbs there are interesting and keep you motivated to try and blast up a pile of rocks, navigate a switchback.

And then a great lunch in the Drop Off Cafe....

I've been twice this year (is a 400 mile round trip for me!) and will be back just as soon as I can!

ads4

310 mile round trip for us Leaving early in the morning, should be home in time for a quick couple in the pub to discuss the day!

junglist_matty

Your going to love it at Afan, its my favourite trail centre, whites level is a real slug of a climb (shares the same climb as the big skyline ride), if your not feeling at your fittest I would save Whites for the last ride because the first climb (from the new centre) just goes up, up, up and more up, if your unfit it will probably take you about an hour to get up there. Sounds like your not too unfit so you should be able to do it in well under an hour.

The last two decents on Whites are really good fun, and I think they are the best decents there, you go through the first section called the graveyard, which as a beginner rider you probably will find difficult because there are some big rocks to manuvre about and its hard to get grip in the wet, but the next section, Zig Zags is super fun, that is really fast and flowing downhill, kinda like a mini-rollercoaster but with rocks!

...Obviously take care on your first go and just have fun; just don't hold back too much!

pjm-84

Ride within your means!

I took a mate up there recently and the first ride was Penhydd then W2. I always find Penhydd a nice little warm up and I always pay it a visit with guys who haven't ridden it before. It was the first time I'll ridden my Spicy 316 so it helped me as well to get dialled in.

Northshore has been "sanitised". I wouldn't worry about it.

Enjoy!

llamafarmer

junglist_matty wrote:

The last two decents on Whites are really good fun, and I think they are the best decents there, you go through the first section called the graveyard, which as a beginner rider you probably will find difficult because there are some big rocks to manuvre about and its hard to get grip in the wet, but the next section, Zig Zags is super fun, that is really fast and flowing downhill, kinda like a mini-rollercoaster but with rocks!

That sounds like The Wall to me mate

...or W2?

Richard85

I just got back from two days in Afan and had an excellent time. I thought White levels was the pick of the bunch and made more exciting by riding a hardtail. Loved that really tricky section not sure if it was part of the black run. Also I couldn't have asked for better weather. The views across the valley were breathtaking.

ads4

Wow, what can I say!!! :shock:

Absolutely brilliant day Decided to go straight in at the deep end and tackled Whites first off. That's a beast of a climb but we cracked it in just under an hour with a couple of much needed stops along the way. I hate climbing but found it rather enjoyable, lots of technical sections and so much concentration that you eat up the miles without realizing it. The descents are something else, sidewinder just flows so well it felt perfect. Loved energy, goodwood, graveyard..... brilliant. Mananged to flip over the bars 20m from the final gate after struggling with the final stone steps :oops: Thank god for the 661 knee pads as the sharp rock I landed on would have certainly caused some damage...



After a quick lunch we decided to give Penhydd a go, though my energy levels felt pretty low even though I was getting through my Torq carb drinks, bars, caffeine shots and anything else I could get my hands on! Absolutely hated the climb - horrible, endless fire road that had me gasping! Was comletely knackered by the time we reached the top, even with a couple of time outs, and had a much needed break. Came off again thorugh hidden valley due to a combination of exhaustion, lack of comcentration and severe hand cramps...I just lost the ability to hold on! After that I took things really easy and rolled down the rest of the way. I would like to try Penhydd again as my tiredness ruined it, though my memories of Whites will keep me grinning until next time 8)