Brechfa?

[missing the VR6]

Hi folks,

Off for a weekends riding at the end of October, have ridden Whites Level a few times the Wall once and Cwmcarn twice. Really like Whites and Cwmcarn but thought The Wall was rubbish, all climb and very little singletrack to compensate.

Also ridden Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree and Glentress and enjoyed them massively bar Dalbettie.

Was planning on doing the red and black at Brechfa over 2 days, what do people think?

Thanks

Aaron

[P-Jay]

Both are really good, I prefer the red to the black, especially in winter as the black gets very muddy.

It doesn't appeal to everyone, some say it's "featureless" and yes there is little in the way of rocks or natural trail features, but it's VERY VERY FAST to ride.

It's very mad-made with lots of tabletops, berms and bombholes.

[BalhamBadger]

missing the VR6 said:

Hi folks,

Off for a weekends riding at the end of October, have ridden Whites Level a few times the Wall once and Cwmcarn twice. Really like Whites and Cwmcarn but thought The Wall was rubbish, all climb and very little singletrack to compensate.

Also ridden Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree and Glentress and enjoyed them massively bar Dalbettie.

Was planning on doing the red and black at Brechfa over 2 days, what do people think?

Thanks

Aaron

I went a few weeks ago. I'd say you could easily do both those trails in a day. I managed it without much trouble and I was taking things quite slowly.

I didn't enjoy either that much - while the day itself was glorious it'd pissed it down all week prior so there was standing water everywhere. The black was especially soggy as its trails are markedly more soil/mud based than the red.

I think in the dry both would be a blast and the area is lovely but I would avoid if the rain has been heavy in the days preceding your trip.

[missing the VR6]

BalhamBadger said:

I went a few weeks ago. I'd say you could easily do both those trails in a day. I managed it without much trouble and I was taking things quite slowly.

I didn't enjoy either that much - while the day itself was glorious it'd pissed it down all week prior so there was standing water everywhere. The black was especially soggy as its trails are markedly more soil/mud based than the red.

I think in the dry both would be a blast and the area is lovely but I would avoid if the rain has been heavy in the days preceding your trip.

We're both fat and lazy so will do one trail either day.

The continuing deluge has been troubling me, looking forward to trying somewhere new though.

[Mr E]

Gorlach is excellent fun, although the initial climb is about as much fun as you'd imagine.

The Blue loop is short and a laugh.

[timbo48]

If you've got time try Cwm-y-Rhaiadr. It's not far from Brechfa, roughly 5 miles north of Llandovery and the A40. Just one trail, gravel road climb and then single track all the way down, needs to be done twice to justify going really. Was named as the best single track in MBR IIRC. Damn good fun.

[missing the VR6]

timbo48 said:

If you've got time try Cwm-y-Rhaiadr. It's not far from Brechfa, roughly 5 miles north of Llandovery and the A40. Just one trail, gravel road climb and then single track all the way down, needs to be done twice to justify going really. Was named as the best single track in MBR IIRC. Damn good fun.

Yeah been thinking of that, I understand it's about 6KM ish?

[P-Jay]

missing the VR6 said:

timbo48 said:

If you've got time try Cwm-y-Rhaiadr. It's not far from Brechfa, roughly 5 miles north of Llandovery and the A40. Just one trail, gravel road climb and then single track all the way down, needs to be done twice to justify going really. Was named as the best single track in MBR IIRC. Damn good fun.

Yeah been thinking of that, I understand it's about 6KM ish?

Shhhhhhhhhh or everyone will want to go there!!

Yes, it's very short, the climb (well 90% of it) is stupidly easy, in fact the climb seems half as long as the descent, it must live in some sort of time / space paradox.

It really does need to be rode more than once in a sitting though, if nothing else it's a tough trail to get right first go, needs brave pills near the top.

[missing the VR6]

Change of plans, going to Coed Y Brenin now, sounds like it might be a better adverse weather centre and the MBR trail is meant to be amazing. (by their own admission)