Afan for London / South east folk

Anonymous

Is a day trip to Afan worth it from the South East / London area? I'm in Woking and Google reckons on a 3hr drive, which is basically M25, M4.

To make the most of it, would it be hard to do it in a day?

Though later in the year would be better for decent daylight though.

And is it serious stuff there, in terms of stuff that can scare you? I'm seeing FC places taming trails and not really interested if it's just clean gravel paths with big climbs and descents. That's more like road cycling to me.

jwindeatt

I have done Afan in a day with some friends its fun and a bit tiring. There are a mixture of trails .Maybe start with Penhydd or the wall to get into it. The scenery is fantastic. Have had a few heart stopping moments but got through them fine.I bike around swinley/ crowthorne normally and thought I was a real mountain biker untill I got to Afan!! Glentress is next in the summer!!

VWsurfbum

i have done both afan and CYB in a day from essex, Jct 28 M25 and would recomend leaving very early to get to the M4 before 8 or if your going to CYB i'd aim to be on the M6 by 7.

M1llh0use

done afan and back in a day (from bournemouth so ~150 miles and 3.5 hour drive each way and it was great!

Did the W2 ride from afan (so the wall and whites level) and was completely knackered when we finished challenging enought ot keep it well interesting but not so hard as to put anyone off.

stomith

We do 2.5 hours each way whenever we can.....it is addictive.

Start with Penhydd or The Wall if you're new to trails like this. It's a good taster. I think if you went straight into Whites or W2...and you're new to it.... get some body armour and insurance.

Is it serious? er...That's up to you and your ability/ambition. You can make it as scarey as you like. Whites is harder, faster and more dangerous than Penhydd/Wall.

1. Get there early (7-8am)...
2. do Penyhdd (red) (2.5 hours)
3. do Wall (red) (2 hours) or do Whites (red+) (2.5 hours)

Eat as you go as you will lose all your stored energy after 90 mins anyway and you'll have to keep replenishing it.

Remember they are XC trails, not Downhill. But, they are RED routes, not BLUE or GREEN.

diy

Done it in a day - its doable if you get up early.. but make sure you have a spare driver, just in case the driver pulls, twists or busts something. Next time I go I will be going deeper (want to do the GAP) and staying over in a YHA centre :shock:

Afan Forrest is similar to Surrey hills - a lot better in places (scenery not riding quality) but not sure its worth a 7 hour round trip. So worth staying over if you do, because you'll want to do more than just 1 or 2 trails. There are some excellent climbs and it takes a couple of goes to really appreciate everything.

weeksy59

We leave Reading about 6.30 and get to Afan park just before 9am.

Ride till 11.30, lunch till 12.30 then ride till 4pm

Back home for 6.30

All in all an awsome day

thel33ter

Hijacking the thread slightly but how comparable is Penyhdd and The Wall to the red XC route at Bedgebury

billynobates

thel33ter wrote:

Hijacking the thread slightly but how comparable is Penyhdd and The Wall to the red XC route at Bedgebury

Bedge is like a family trail in comparison to S/Wales trails, everything is far more technical and demanding on man & bike which is why it's worth going again and again.

thel33ter

Cheers, I agree, Bedge was really easy, hopefully I'll get to Wales when this snow thaws out