Marin Trail and both loops of Penmachno

Crayfish
Crayfish Posts: 225
edited July 2010 in Routes
Can someone confirm if both loops of Penmachno and the full Marin Trail are open this weekend? planning to come up from London but will go elsewhere if any sections are closed.

thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/user/stumpy25lbs
Choose a ****ing big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin can openers. Choose a bike. Choose some singletrack. Choose your future. Choose Life. (Irv Welsh)

Comments

  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    I could not tell you for sure but as far as I know both Penmachno and the Marin are fully open. I last did the Marin about 4 weeks ago and Penmachno about 6 weeks ago. Both were fully open and riding well then!

    If you ask here someone will be able to give you a bit more reassurance:-

    http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/inde ... ard=trails

    I take it you have tried Coed Y Brenin?

    Stu
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    marin was definitely open about 4 weeks ago for me too - I've never seen any of it closed, actually.
  • Crayfish
    Crayfish Posts: 225
    OK thanks guys. Leaving just now.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/stumpy25lbs
    Choose a ****ing big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin can openers. Choose a bike. Choose some singletrack. Choose your future. Choose Life. (Irv Welsh)
  • sniper68
    sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    marin was definitely open about 4 weeks ago for me too - I've never seen any of it closed, actually.
    The middle section was closed for logging a couple of years ago near the uglyhouse.We followed the diversion and it actually cut the ride in half :shock:
    When we got back to the CP some other riders told us they spoke to the loggers who told them to ride past with caution :roll:

    The last time I was there was last year and I was surprised just how much felling had taken place.There used to be a really dark section just off the short steep tarmac climb which was clear!
    Lynskey R480

  • Crayfish
    Crayfish Posts: 225
    Much obliged. I can report that both trails are fully open and as awesome as ever. We did Penmachno in the drizzle yesterday, so were riding in a river most of the time, but managed both loops in 2hrs 40mins including breaks for the energy bars. Some sections are overgrown and I was smacked in the face by foxgloves and briars a few times but hey, it's the middle of summer so that's to be expected. I love the remote and wilderness feeling of Penmachno and the sustained and technical singletrack.

    We did the Marin this morning - started about 8am in warm and humid conditions. Last time I did Marin the second half was closed, but that was in 2007. Awesome ride. Short bursts of lovely smooth singletrack with steep but still fast sections. Shame about the fireroad downhill about 3/4 of the way around - they should find some singletrack to use up all that potential energy on!

    Fantastic trails. Great weekend. Wish I lived in Wales... :D:D:D:D

    P.S. Watch out for the Marin trail video - coming soon on:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/stumpy25lbs
    Choose a ****ing big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin can openers. Choose a bike. Choose some singletrack. Choose your future. Choose Life. (Irv Welsh)
  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Good to hear you had a good time!

    The singletrack sections on the Marin are sweet, it's just a shame there's so much fireroad there to dilute it :(

    Penmachno is magical!

    If you are very lucky one day you will get to ride it when it is bone dry and free from wind - those exposed sections on loop 2 actually get very very fast :D
  • Crayfish
    Crayfish Posts: 225
    Stu 74 wrote:
    Good to hear you had a good time!

    The singletrack sections on the Marin are sweet, it's just a shame there's so much fireroad there to dilute it :(

    Penmachno is magical!

    If you are very lucky one day you will get to ride it when it is bone dry and free from wind - those exposed sections on loop 2 actually get very very fast :D

    Penmachno, bone dry??? :wink:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/stumpy25lbs
    Choose a ****ing big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin can openers. Choose a bike. Choose some singletrack. Choose your future. Choose Life. (Irv Welsh)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Wales, bone dry? :!:
    eh?
    including breaks for the energy bars.
    I hope you didn't just drop the packets, or I WILL track you down and destroy you :twisted:
    I'll follow your tyre marks to the ends of the earth and beyond :lol:
  • Crayfish
    Crayfish Posts: 225
    As promised, the Marin Trail video is up and can be found at:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=508OnOhkSzk

    (Separate uncut vids for Dragons Tail and the Final Descent as well)
    http://www.youtube.com/user/stumpy25lbs
    Choose a ****ing big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin can openers. Choose a bike. Choose some singletrack. Choose your future. Choose Life. (Irv Welsh)

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