Trails near Newport

rideitlikeitsstolen

Hi

I live near Newport and ride to Cwmcarn and Afan on a regular basis. Does anyone know any other trails around the Newport area?

Also I have found a local wood that has a pretty good bridal way that has a lot of potential. What's stopping me going up there clearing a few fallen tree's and removing a bit of the over growth to make the trail flow a bit better, I'm not talking about taking a chainsaw to the woods? Do I need to speak to the local council first?

Thanks

welshkev

which part of newport are you from?

ol\'gregg

there's a few nice little trails around upper cwmbran starting at the mountain air pub running through the woods behind the resevoir. Welshkev will know better than me as i know it's local to him.

rideitlikeitsstolen

Yeh I go there as well Blaen Bran I think its called. I tend to go up onto the top and there is a good downhill part all the way to the gates near to the church. I live on the outskirts of Bettws and have been to a few woods near by. Found a few spots just want to clear the section I have mapped out. Takes me about10 minutes to get there and about a 30 min trail (nice for after work or late on a Sunday) but also overgrown with fallen trees in the way...

rhyko7

i ride wenwood a lot, Blaenavon aint bad, pontypool is good

deeball

If you can get yourself to Abergavenny, their are quite a few brilliant trails over the Sugar Loaf / Deri / Rholban mountians. In fact, I have only just started going to the purpose-built trails as I've been riding these here mounts since I was in my teens. Ask in the Abergavenny bike shops if you need a pointer.

Powers

I live in Abergavenny and I am more than willing to point people in the right direction.
The decent down the spine of the Sugar loaf is brilliant. Worth all the effort.

1340jas

Machen mountain is good, ride up to the mast from Bassaleg or Risca, then drop down through the woods towards the Machen side. There are lots of good down hill runs but they would be graded Black. Don't go on your own in case of a big crash you won't be found.

rideitlikeitsstolen

Thanks for the tips...I have seen the mast at the top of Machen and always wondered if it was any good. Think I might suggest it for our next ride. How long is it? Just googled sugar loaf, Abergavenny and will give that a go as well. Expect to see me in your village soon. Anyone know about an off road route to North Wales? Mum lives in Conwy thought it would a fun challenge

skiing-cyclist

Hi,

I only started MTB ing in April. I'll be in the Brecons this coming weekend from Friday to Sunday and maybe Monday. I'm still learning but I should be able to cope with the "red graded" routes supplied by the Brecons Tourist Office.

If anyone wants to join me or give me some pointers I'd be happy to hear from you.

1340jas

The routes around Machen mast are as long as you want to make them. One way of doing it would be to drive to the car park at the old Nine Mile Point mine. start to ride along the sirhowy trail and then go left at the style. Get onto the road and ride up, back towards the mast. This is one hell of a warm up. Keep going up to the highest point of the road and then go up the really steep path in front of you. You will then see the old slag heeps ahead and o your right. Keep going and head to the mast. after getting a good look at Cardiff and England drop down to the woods on the right. there are hours of trails running down to machen. There are a number of fire trails to get back to the top after each run.
Or you could park on the Machen side or Rhiwderin side.
Its just a matter of finding runs you enjoy.

welshkev

rideitlikeitsstolen wrote:

Yeh I go there as well Blaen Bran I think its called. I tend to go up onto the top and there is a good downhill part all the way to the gates near to the church. I live on the outskirts of Bettws and have been to a few woods near by. Found a few spots just want to clear the section I have mapped out. Takes me about10 minutes to get there and about a 30 min trail (nice for after work or late on a Sunday) but also overgrown with fallen trees in the way...

if you live near bettws do you ever do the downhill track that's down the side of the lanes between henllys and 14 locks?

i haven't been there for a while but it used to be a good blast

rideitlikeitsstolen

No where about does that start? I have found a track inside some woods just along from the road from the 14 locks. Someone has been there and put in a few jumps and a few corners. Its good and can get very muddy.

welshkev

if you come out of the 14 locks car park and turn right, go along there until you come to the sharp right hand bend. you'll see the lane in front of you with a hated fireroad to the right. go up the gated fireroad and the start is about half a mile down that fireroad. it's quite hard to find so it'll probably take some exploring. but that's part of the fun no?

there's some berms and jumps with a big bomb hole in the middle, well there used to be, like i said i haven't been there for a while but it might be wort a look

rideitlikeitsstolen

I think we might be talking about the same place. I will have a look later. thanks for the info.