Penmachno Advice

Hothouse
Hothouse Posts: 27
edited May 2010 in Routes
I'm off to Penmachno on Sunday and was looking for any advice or pointers being the first time.

Cheers :wink:

Comments

  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    Enjoy it!
    Nothing too difficult, very pedally on the second part and the last few descents are brilliant.
    My Pics !


    Whadda ya mean I dont believe in god?
    I talk to him everyday....
  • nigpay1
    nigpay1 Posts: 11
    don't let the first ascent put you off!
    :)
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Hothouse wrote:
    I'm off to Penmachno on Sunday and was looking for any advice or pointers being the first time.

    Cheers :wink:

    There's some useful info here, I would say that though :wink:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12696323

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12691758

    It's its hard work on a Hardtail though Ratty, you never get a chance sit down, even on the climbs.
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  • spodomodo
    spodomodo Posts: 48
    The trailhead isn't signposted from the road - drive thru the village of Penmachno and there's a dirt road and carpark on the right about half a mile further on.

    The route markings are a bit confusing - the main loop (20km) is numbered 100, 101,102.....etc But there's a second loop which picks up about halfway round with 3 digit numbers begining with 2 - this adds another 10km to the route - its explained better than this at the noticeboard at the begining - so worth reading. I rode this trail for the first time last Thursday in the driving rain when the light was fading - it all got a bit deja vu and at one point I felt like I was going round in circles! This probably says more about me than the trail markings though.

    A fantastic ride though - definitely recommended - you will be back!

    S
  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    Dirtydog11 wrote:
    Hothouse wrote:
    I'm off to Penmachno on Sunday and was looking for any advice or pointers being the first time.

    Cheers :wink:

    There's some useful info here, I would say that though :wink:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12696323

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12691758

    It's its hard work on a Hardtail though Ratty, you never get a chance sit down, even on the climbs.


    Oh, I dunno... My 6" fully mince tank is far too much bike there.... I've ridden my 29er round there and a 'normal' hardtail (my On-One 456SS) and find them to be perfect TBH.
    Its not that rough, one or two places yes, but still not that bad- Compared to normal riding in the Peak anyway...
    My Pics !


    Whadda ya mean I dont believe in god?
    I talk to him everyday....
  • JAGGY
    JAGGY Posts: 167
    Be careful in the wet as the rocky surface is very slippy. I put it down to my MK's.

    Brilliant trail!
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    ratty2k wrote:
    Dirtydog11 wrote:
    Hothouse wrote:
    I'm off to Penmachno on Sunday and was looking for any advice or pointers being the first time.

    Cheers :wink:

    There's some useful info here, I would say that though :wink:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12696323

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12691758

    It's its hard work on a Hardtail though Ratty, you never get a chance sit down, even on the climbs.


    Oh, I dunno... My 6" fully mince tank is far too much bike there.... I've ridden my 29er round there and a 'normal' hardtail (my On-One 456SS) and find them to be perfect TBH.
    Its not that rough, one or two places yes, but still not that bad- Compared to normal riding in the Peak anyway...

    Yeah 6" would be overkill, 4" all round would be nice.

    Is funny, the lads I go riding with have both recently gone FullSus and now every trail I ride feels rougher than it used to. Either I'm getting to old for a hardtail or I'm sneak-ally trying to convince myself that I also need to go FS.
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  • Hothouse
    Hothouse Posts: 27
    To let you guys know that me and my bud had a brill experience at Penmachno this morning. I love the way that it's not a "manicured" trail like many of the other trail centres and you have to give 100% attention. Def going back soon :D
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Hothouse wrote:
    To let you guys know that me and my bud had a brill experience at Penmachno this morning. I love the way that it's not a "manicured" trail like many of the other trail centres and you have to give 100% attention. Def going back soon :D

    Glad you enjoyed it.

    Yes it has a very natural feel to it and as you say you can't take your eyes off the trail for a second. It was quite overgrown in places last time I went so I had the added challenge of avoiding hidden rocks, it undoubtedly has some of the best singletrack in North Wales.
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  • Hothouse
    Hothouse Posts: 27
    All the brambles etc. have been cut right back, so the trails a visible. I particularly enjoyed the last couple of descents. No room for error there!!!!!!! :shock:
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Hothouse wrote:
    All the brambles etc. have been cut right back, so the trails a visible. I particularly enjoyed the last couple of descents. No room for error there!!!!!!! :shock:

    What did you do it on a Full Sus or Hardtail, did you come across the Penmachno Badger?
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