North Wales - lookin 3 or 4 crackers

Bestwuzbest

Around the 20th Oct. me & a couple of pals are travelling over from Belfast to North Wales for a weeks serious riding. We have some sweet free accomodation for most of the week that's in the Betws-y-Coed area and as such are planning a run or 2 on the Marin Trail, but are undecided on how best to make use of our time in the region. We have a sleepable-in van at our disposal, so spreading our wings for a couple of days is on the cards. Trail centres appeal for ease of trail location, all-weather rideability & facilities, but in Northern Ireland we don't have any, and as such we'r mostly riding on the wilder-side on gnarly singletrack, downhill and freeride trails maintained and developed by riders. We would typically ride for 3-5 hours, can do back-to-back days and are well used to fire-road climbs. We'll all be on 4-6" trail bikes and will have a selection of tyres with us, though good ground conditions are always preferable, especially for first-time visits.
Any suggestions would be most welcome as we'd like to mix it up & make the most of a long-anticipated trip.

nonnac85

Trail centre maps and info on the website in my sig.

NDawn

How about heading to Bala area? I think you can park up on the shore of the lake there and there's a nice area to do some XC/DH at

http://www.hiraethog.org.uk/content.php?nID=10&lID=1

Going to be going there soon

Fully

Don't miss Penmachno (Both loops) and Nant yr Arian (The Continental Trail). Snowdon Ascent maybe? Back down the Ranger Path if you're good riders.

pdid

I`ve been to North Wales a few times this year, i`d say that you definately have to do Penmachno and Coed y Brenin. Then do a selection of Machynlleth, Llandegla and The Marin.

TBH I think once will be enough round the Marin, it`s lots of fireroad with the odd bit of singletrack thrown in. The final descent is excellent though.

Stu 74

Betws Y Coed is a great place to stay as it is central to all the main trail centres and close to some good natural riding

As pdid said you should definitely pay a visit to CYB and Penmachno. The Tarw trail at CYB is OK but I would recommend doing the Beast first as this is a much better trail in my opinion.

Penmachno is an excellent trail and you should give both Loops 1 and 2 a go. Make sure you know where you are going before hand as the trail head is not obvious or sign posted.
Maps here:-
http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/inde ... thread=284

I would say that you should also visit Llandegla, especially if you like getting airborne. Avoid at the weekend though as it gets manic. The shop and cafe are closed on a Monday (but the trails are still open).

The Marin has lots of fireroad but it still has some very good singletrack, particularly the last descents. Would not be top of my list though.

The Climachx in Machynlleth is good fun but it is only 15km long. See the link below for an extension to this (haven't ridden this yet but it looks good) There are other trails in Machynlleth but I think they are just long cross country rides.

If you have the weather for it and you are good and confident riders Snowdon is a cracking ride! I have ridden down the Llanberis path and it is absolutely awesome However, you need to pick your time very carefully as it gets very busy with walkers, Forget it at the weekend or school holidays.

The Ranger path on the other hand is pretty quiet but be warned it is Knarlington road and you need to be very good riders to tackle this. It would be best to ascend via the Llanberis path to do this and then cut across 'Telegraph Valley' back to Llanberis once you have descended the Ranger path.
Snowdon is a big mountain and you will need to be prepared if you plan to tackle this as it can turn very nasty up there very quickly.
There are loads of other good natural rides in the area. Have a look here:-

http://www.flattyresmtbroutes.com/WalesRoutes.html

Let me know if you need any more info.

Stu

Bestwuzbest

Many many thanks fellas...plenty of food 4 thought there...turns out that i got the location of our accomodation wrong tho...we'll be staying just outside Bangor...making Snowdon a very realistic option for fulfilling the "wild-side" craving...does anyone know if the train still runs up at this time of the year...and can you get aboard wid yer steed? Penmachno or the Marin, Coed y Brenin and the Climachx look like the likeliest...tho i'm intrigued by Llandelga...we talkin jumps or drops...downhill or freeride? Which trails suffer worst in the rain? And can anyone advise on the ideal tyre pairing for our trip?

Crayfish

If you really want to do Marin, I would do that in the morning but only once. Then Penmachno in the pm. We were there two weeks ago - check out my videos of how good that trail is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md77JwpjH5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kizBk0nbds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCagc8t3tuQ

The next day I would do The Beast at Coed-y-Brenin (which is two of the best trails there combined back to back)

The next day I would do ClimachX trail but twice.

Wish I was you.

Then you may be bored with the best singletrack you've probably ever done, and want to do Snowden...

Bestwuzbest

That's quite the itinerary you've prepared there Crayfish...nice work...& nice vids 2 man! With such a trip in mind, what would be your reccomended all-round tyre choice for the trail centres? Our regular wild-side trails in the Mourne Mtns require super tackys once autumn kicks in...the Swampthing upfront yesterday saved me aul bacon...slippery leaves covering slippery roots n rocks on slippery hillsides...tough on the nerves! Would a 2.1 Hi-Roller XC in 62a front and 70a rear do the job? Maybe my 2.25 Advantage FR 62a could sit upfront, thus requiring purchase of only 1 new tyre...though I like knowing that I can rely on front wheel grip...and could defo shave sum weight by downsizing from the Advantage

Crayfish

The Maxiis High rollers should be fine IMHO. Personally I'm using an S-Works The Captain 2.1" 2-bliss up front and a Kenda Nevegal DTC Lite 1.9" (they're always wider than they say) at the back. Both tubeless at about 36psi with Stans sealant in to prevent thorny punctures.

Does the job for me. But I know the High Rollers would be good too.

Even with super tackies you won't stop a slide on a wet leaf, but I don't think you'll get much of that yet on these trails. The wet, off-camber slate at Marin will be worse!

scale20

It's a shame I'm not home or I could take you on some cracking natural rides around that area.

Are you taking lights with you? if so have yourselves a treat and do the marin at night, it's a fast ride in the day and even faster at night. There is a bike shop in Bangor called Revolution and they are starting to do organised night rides on a thursday night, could be worth calling in and joining them.

If the weathers good you have to do Snowdon, the cycling agreement has now been lifted so you can ride any time of the day. Go up the Llanberis path and down the rangers/telegraph back into Llanberis. The treck up the Llanberis path to the summit can be an emotional slog but its worth it for the coming down bit. Some sections of the rangers are mental and you will probably use all your 6 inches

Don't worry too much about tyre choice for the marin trail. You could do that on slicks

When do you look at going back over the water at the end of it all? I will try and show you some local rides.

Stu 74

Bestwuzbest wrote:

does anyone know if the train still runs up at this time of the year...and can you get aboard wid yer steed?

The train does run but I'm afraid they won't let you take your bike on it.

...tho i'm intrigued by Llandelga...we talkin jumps or drops...downhill or freeride?

More 'hand crafted' jumps than drops. There are quite a few jumps on the red and black trails and there is a jumps loop that can be repeated on the black trail. There is also a skills area near the start of the trail which has some jumps and drops.

Which trails suffer worst in the rain?

None of the trails get muddy or boggy but Penmachno and the Climach x do suffer with puddles in certain sections so expect to get wet when you ride these!

And can anyone advise on the ideal tyre pairing for our trip?

Just general all round tyres should be OK. You won't need mud tyres.

Stu

BeardedDave

My personal opinion, steer clear of the Marin. I've ridden trail centres all over the UK and it's by far the worst and most boring I've done. Yes, the last couple of descents are pretty good but that by no means makes up for the rest of it.

Snowdon is decent ride. It's a bit of a slog getting up, but there are few descents like it. There is a voluntary curfew, keeping mountain bikers off it after 10am. Don't think this runs all year round, but worth considering, as you may be looking at a 5am start otherwise!

Penmachno is a great trail and has a surpisingly 'wilderness' feel, for a trail centre. Definitely worth a visit and, if you've got the legs, the extra 10km extension of loop 2 is worth the effort. Something to bare in mind is that there is no trail centre, so no cafe and very little parking.

Nant-y-Arian, is a really nice trail. Some good long sections of singletrack. Some great views and one never ending fire road climb in the middle of it. Definitely worth a visit.

Coed-y-Brenin has a selection of trails and is well worth a visit, as it has a good selection of trails to keep you busy. Not my favourite set of trails but certainly enough there to keep you interested.

Llandegla is different things to different people. It's pretty fast and rollable, but if you want there's plenty of jumping opportunities. I've done it a few times and now find it a little boring but I know people that love it and are happy to ride it over and over again. Good trail centre with a decent cafe and bike shop - worth noting though is that it gets very busy and parking can be a bit of a nightmare if you turn up at the wrong time.

This is a pretty good helmet cam video that my mate Col took, when we were in Wales last month. First half is Snowdon and the second half is Llandegla.
http://www.vimeo.com/6818036

scale20

The Snowdon riding agreement stands from 1st May until the 30th Sept. You can't ride between the hours of 10am and 5pm. I say you can't ride during that time, there's nothing saying you can't because it's not a ban, it's an agreement that cyclists wont ride in the peak season and times. If more and more riders ignore the agreement and ride in the peak times it will no doubt turn into a ban!

I wouldn't steer clear of the Marin, if your in the area it's one to bag and you can make your mind up wether its the worst or boring you've ever done. It's my most local man made trail so I use it a lot and never get bored of it. I think the fire road climb at the start instantly puts people off it. There is a lot of fire road but the singletrack sections are pretty good and can be fast. The last section of singletrack is great and at the end you can go back round and do it again from the car park.

Short travel full sus or a HT are good for the marin. I find that 6inches of travel is overkill.

Bestwuzbest

That truly was a fabulous trip...some exceptionally good trails were ridden and my appetite is well-whetted for further visits.

Monday: the Marin Trail...very XC...my big Wolfridge 140 with Fox float 36's was wasted there...was jealous of me wee bro's 4" Stumpy that day...nice final section, but the climbs weren't worth the effort for us thrillseekers...tyre choice was good (2.25 Advantage upfront & 2.1 Crossmark roundback)

Tuesday: pissed it down so went to the pub and the bike shop.

Wednesday: MBR trail at C-y-B...superb from the first section to the last...got the chance to open the big bike up more...tyres were good again (Advantage front & High Roller XC 2.1 back)

Thursday: Cli-machx trail in Macllyneth...again superb...that final decent is phenomenal...the big bike was purring along...again good tyres for the job (2.4 Nevegal front & Hi Roller XC back)

Friday: Snowdon summit via Llanberis path...a gut buster of a climb with some nasty weather thrown in...but man-o-man...what an awesum decent...cooked brakes & 2 pinch-flats included...the Wolfridge with 36 Floats was born for that kinda run...tho it was a mixed bag on the tyre front for that 1...the Nevegal was flawless upfront, but the HR XC was useless on the rear...should've had the bigger Advantage on...next time!

Many many thanks for all the tips & suggestions

Anonymous

Wolf ridge with 36 floats is a fricking awesome machine isn't it? I keep falling deeper and deeper in love with it every time I ride it!

scale20

Glad you all had a good time, I bet that wolf ridge made for a nice comfy ride down snowdon, not one to push up though

Was it just the MBR you did at Coed Y Brenin? Straight from the off on that trail you get the lungs pumping What bike shop did you visit?

Keep us in the loop for next time you plan on coming over and i will join you up Snowdon, the rangers path is the way to go down 8)

Anonymous

You know, scale, you'd be surprised how good these wolfs are at climbing.

scale20

I remeber a guy coming up with us once with one, poor bloke nearly died. Probaby just weak

Splottboy

Just watching the 2009 Marathon Eryri/Snowdon Marathon on S4C. The start shows the 2008 one. It's absolutely chucking it down at the start. Think it got better later on.

You guy's were lucky with the weather, chucking it down again at this years race too...

It doesn't rain much in Wales. Just all the time.

Anonymous

Actually it rains a lot, all the bloody time

Bestwuzbest

I love my Wolfridge, although it has been dramatically upgraded from the '08 bike I bought...frame, shock and dropouts are all that remain! The wheels were the first change....my DT 5.1D's on Hope Pro 2 hubs migrated across from my older edition Wolfridge along with the Gravity Dropper remote seatpost (how do folk manage without 1?)...then the double & bash set up twinned with an SLX drivetrain and SLX brakes took it to a new level...the 36 floats (mind blowingly good forks!) were the final piece of the puzzle, liberating the Wolfridge from being a bit of a lightweight nosediver into a hardcore all-terrain rock-muncher...and yes it climbs pretty darn good for a big bike! I am seriously considering going tubeless to complete the picture, especially after the 2 flats whilst bombing down Snowdon...could do without that happening on the Ranger Path next time round!

We had planned to do the Tawr trail at CyB, but got put off it by the guy in Dolgellau bike shop (a real nice fella) who said it had been ruined recently in the interests of health & safety...he had suggested the Beast trail with a few alterations, but i was sick for the first half of the ride, so decided to restrict it to the MBR where the routes diverged.

When down in Macllyneth lookin for the Cli-machx, we stopped into the Holy Trail bike shop to find another diamond geezer behind the counter...and whilst both climbing and descending Snowdon we received encouragement, praise and good humour from our fellow travellers...we then stopped into the world's finest Pizza & a Pint hotel on the outskirts of Llanberis town to be treated to some delicious pizza and a great pint o the black-stuff...top staff, fireside sofas and very reasonable prices...you sure have some damn fine folk round that part of the world...and the scenery is incredible...beyond belief at times! We'll be back 4 sure in the not too distant!

Crayfish

Can't believe you change your tyres to suit the trail Bestwuzbest. How many different tyres to you possess?! :shock:

We were there on the Saturday - at Machynlleth - did the Cli-machx trail too. It was superb weather - not a clod in the sky.

I took some video. Here's the final descent, and then another of the singletrack sections at the top, followed by a compilation of the whole day. Awesome place. I really wish I lived in Wales - you guys are so lucky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgwNYp6NK10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGsfMc34BM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIypRbMrpDw

Anonymous

glad you enjoyed your stay
Did you try Peat's Eats in Llanberis? The food there is spectacularly large!

Anonymous

Shame about the Tarw trail being ruined. Last time I rode it (a few months ago) it was all present and correct.

Splottboy

Shame I didn't get the "heads up" for H+S on the Tarw last year. Broke me femur!
Was my fault tho, LOL!

Bestwuzbest

I didn't used to mess with tyre set-up much, but find I'm increasingly doing it now as my riding improves...surface materials and weather conditions make a big difference to rubber selection and sometimes just swapping out 1 tyre changes the ride dramatically...afterall, there's only a couple o square inches of your mighty steed in contact with the ground!
Nice videos Crayfish...heard your holler of surprise on that crazy death-drop corner half way down final run...made a very similar noise meself and think the Crossmark might have sent me over if it had remained in place...long live the High Roller...it'll find grip on the slickest of surfaces. Wish I'd had the legs to take another run at the final section of Cli-machx and drop in from that mad north-shore spiral in the sky...looked awesome as I sped past!

Crayfish

Thanks mate - yep that corner is quite unexpected and looks like it could be lethal. I wonder if anyone has ever dropped down there?!
I was pleased with the performance of the Nevegal DTC Lite on the back - and I swear by tubeless because it has made my climbing better and prevented the hassles of punctures almost completely. Do it - you won't be sorry.

scale20

I know where you mean for the Pizza and a pint in Llanberis but never tried it. It's now on my 'to do' list for next time. Like Yeeha say's, Petes eats in the middle of llanberis is good for a hearty scoff and a brew after a ride.

You will find that nearly all of the walkers on Snowdon greet you with a smile and a few 'you're crazy' coments and generaly stand aside when your on your way down, but you do get the odd few that look at you in disgust and refuse to move to one side.

I have to hold my head in shame and admit I've never ridden the Cli-machx, done the mach 3, that was a horrible XC slog!

Parts of the Tarw trail were vandalised not long back, someone took some of the slabs off parts of the trail and turned all the way markers round.

Anonymous

Actually, it wasn't just the Tarw, they also removed, or turned around, waymarkers on the Beast too. The odd thing is that they're on opposite sides of the valley?!? :shock: