The Gap at Brecon Beacons

Silversladey

Hi all,

Looking to ride the Gap at Brecon Beacons this summer, Have been riding my local trail centre at Cwmcarn also been down to Glyncorrwg I tend to mix this with some long local riding on the Cwmbran and Pontypool mountains generaly over 50km. I have been checking the MB Wales website and it gives a good review of MTBing in the Brecon Beacons especially the Gap ride.

How hard is this ride, I am reasonably fit but tech ability is still on an upward learning curve?

Is the route easy to navigate, i am used to waymark routes at twrch trail and Whites?

Anyone intereste in doing this ride who has done it before or could help with first time navigation?

Would be good if we could organise a group ride, it would be easier for the RAF chopper to find us all

Tachyonic

Not sure if you are still looking for a reply but I can outline the route for you.

It starts with a long ride of the taff trail. This is a wide smooth fire road that is a breeze to navigate and only requires fitness - no skill. After some beautiful views you will reach the top then a short very fast road descent gives way to numerous gates and grassy paths. It is easy to navigate. Then begins the gap itself. It has large rocks all the way up, you must weave your bike between the rocks until the top. It is a melodic climb one can really enjoy.

The downhill after the peak of the gap is unrideable unless you are an accomplished trials rider. There are drops of a foot or so onto small ledges - basically carry your bike down. When I went to the gap a friend did ride this section but he has half decent trials skills.

The remainder of the route is wide, fast and easy. The group I went with all really enjoyed the course but it was not very technical leaving us all maybe a little underwhelmed on that front. Most navigation is of the obvious big road ahead type situation. The views make for a beautiful day in the hills.

riddle

I have done this route recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. The long slog at the start is a helluva warm up.
Some of first downhills are a bit lumpy and require concentration. The climb to the Gap is long, however the scenery more than makes up for it.
I managed to ride down the Gap towards Brecon without incident, it wasn't easy hugely satisfying though. The downhill afterwards is fast and exciting.

If you are following the Gap route outlined in the Vertibtrate Guide I would avoid the final down hill by CP6. It is narrow, rocky and does'nt really add to the route; all of us ended up with punctures on this short section.

Silversladey

Cheers guys thought this thread had died unanswered I will definitely ride this route by the end of the summer

jez_clarke

it's a pretty tough ride.. especially the long climb up to the gap, but worth every second of pedalling..

I rode Afan this weekend. Skyline, W2 and another which i forget as typing.. Equally as good as the riding around Brecon.. try both..

oldman biker

Looking to do gap ride on august 11th . If you want to come along let us know.

Silversladey

Will let you now by wednesday night, have to check work hours and child care but could be a real possibility what time you going.

GJC

Hi oldman biker, i was wondering what are your local rides?

GJC