Wales!

Northwind

OK so, as a last minute thing we're off to Wales for a few days, staying in Machynlleth... Should be 4 days of riding hopefully. So. Where? My mats have been before, they'll have their ideas, but I know they'll end up wanting to go back to where they were last time ratherthan see if there's anything better, that's just how they rolls.

For myself i'd be wanting proper challenging routes, putting in a few miles isn't an issue but I want a bit of gnar with my pedalling. Natural is good as long as we don't spend all day getting lost! Trail centres fine as well though.

Oh and, Hemlock or Mmmbop? Bop probably I think, it's about 5lbs lighter but still not much it won't do...

.blitz

Northwind wrote:

For myself i'd be wanting proper challenging routes, putting in a few miles isn't an issue but I want a bit of gnar with my pedalling.

Was in that area over the weekend. The route from Abergynolwyn down the valley and along the ridge to Cadair Idris is maximum gnar.

ddraver

ClimachX is worth a look as a supplimetry route after a shorter morning ride, as is Nant-yr Arian. I'm afraid I don't know the natural stuff around there...

welshkev

do the climaX then head down to brechfa..probably about an hour and a half ish drive

i've never been myself but it's supposed to be really exposed natural like riding but waymarked

then cruise along the M4 to afan then stop at cwmcarn on your way home

job done :-)

http://mbwales.com/

sorry, i've just seen that you're staying in mcllynlyth (i can't bloody spell it ) all the time, so yeah, climaX and nant yr arian are closest. but check out mb wales for a better idea

Northwind

Think I'll be stopping somewhere on the way down, it's a 5 hour drive from here so I can take a wee detour into north wales on the way down and up. Or maybe the lakes. Or hey, maybe just jump off the motorway and go and do drumlanrig Man, wish I had time to plan this right, I'm going down and back solo and meeting the others there so I can play around a bit with locations.

I'd like to get down to cwmcarn but it's a fair way, I don't think we'll have any bother filling the days further north. Plus it keeps the south and the beacons for some other visit.

Stu 74

If you are staying in Machynlleth you must check out the Climach-x trail. Its only 15km long but is a really nice trail with a cracking final descent.

http://www.dyfimountainbiking.org.uk/Dy ... machX.html

You will also only be about a 40 minute drive from the legendary Coed-Y-Brenin trail centre.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recr ... itorCentre

For natural rides there is the Cadair Idris ride already mentioned.....

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

and there is also 'Pont Scethin'..........

http://www.flattyresmtbroutes.com/Mawdd ... ethin.html

Have not done either of these myself so can't comment on their quality.

The Penmachno trail is about an hour away from Machynlleth but is well worth travelling to. It is, in my opinion, the best trail in North Wales. (There are no facilities there but who cares!).

http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/inde ... thread=284

When driving through the village to get to the trail head don't follow the brown bike signs!

If you fancy a quick blast on your way home could also check out the famous Llandegla......

http://www.coedllandegla.com/

Have fun!

Stu

welshkev

http://mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Bases ... lleth.aspx

http://mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Centr ... Arian.aspx

check these 2 out. should keep you busy for a few days. you could always stop at llandegla on your way through. it wouldn't really be out of your way. or possibly even penmachno.

i'm jealous...have fun

cambo

If you're coming all the way from Scotland you have got to do Penmachno. Its by far the best trail in North Wales, I'd possibly go as far as to say its the best I've ridden, including GT/Inners.

Don't go home without doing it!!!

scale20

Get snowdon smashed

cambo

mmmm, must change my signature, eh mart?

Northwind

Pretty sure Penmachno's on the cards, maybe for me solo on the way down. Or up. Or both, hey?

Northwind

Pretty sure Penmachno's on the cards, maybe for me solo on the way down. Or up. Or both, hey?

Stu 74

Just found out that the Cambrain rally runs through Penmachno on Saturday 16th October so I expct the trails will be closed on that day.

Stu

Anonymous

I've often wondered when passing through Machynlleth whether it would ever get people going there to stay, as it seems miles from anywhere, with not much to do, really.

Northwind

Yeah, I have no idea why we're staying there really. Ah well, I'm just the hanger on. Cheap bunkhouse at least and trails on the doorstep but it's not where I'd choose.

I saw that about the closures but I should be down on saturday, back up on thursday so looks like i'll dodge it. Would have been a good day off though!

Anonymous

Well, if you're staying in Machynlleth, you are only anout 18 miles away from Aberystwyth, if you're after some nightlife. It's a studenty place, so there's loads of cheap pubs etc.
A lot of the lighting crew were Staying in Aberystwyth when we had the recent job in mid Wales, and they said it was crazy.

ddraver

Stu 74 wrote:

and there is also 'Pont Scethin'..........

http://www.flattyresmtbroutes.com/Mawdd ... ethin.html

Is that the MBR Classic ride Stu?!