Anyone done Swinley Forest and Llandegla - Reds?
Discussion
We're off to visit relatives this weekend and I'm considering taking my 8 year old (plus older relatives) round the Red Route at Swinley. He's happy doing the Red at Llandegla, does bits of the Black and absolutely loves it.
I'd done Llandegla many times myself before he was let lose, so was happy for him to do it, but I've never done Swinley and I 'm aware some Red's are very different to others. Is Swinley any more difficult that Llandegla?
Cheers
I'd done Llandegla many times myself before he was let lose, so was happy for him to do it, but I've never done Swinley and I 'm aware some Red's are very different to others. Is Swinley any more difficult that Llandegla?
Cheers
I can't for a second imagine that Swinley red should pose any problems for you or your son. I'd say that Swinley red would be a blue anywhere else.
I've not rode Llandegla but having rode Afan and Cwmcarn, they are much, much tougher than Swinley in every possible way!
The only problem with Swinley this weekend is that it'll be jam packed if it's sunny.
I've not rode Llandegla but having rode Afan and Cwmcarn, they are much, much tougher than Swinley in every possible way!
The only problem with Swinley this weekend is that it'll be jam packed if it's sunny.
neenaw said:
I can't for a second imagine that Swinley red should pose any problems for you or your son. I'd say that Swinley red would be a blue anywhere else.
I've not rode Llandegla but having rode Afan and Cwmcarn, they are much, much tougher than Swinley in every possible way!
The only problem with Swinley this weekend is that it'll be jam packed if it's sunny.
Cheers. Just what I wanted to hear. Llandegla also tends to get busy so he's used to early starts when we go MTB'ing. I'll aim to get there for 8am, which normally gives us a head start over the masses I've not rode Llandegla but having rode Afan and Cwmcarn, they are much, much tougher than Swinley in every possible way!
The only problem with Swinley this weekend is that it'll be jam packed if it's sunny.
Personally I prefer natural trails to the likes of Swinley. Although it's the only trail centre I've ridden so no idea how it compares to Llandegla. What I will say is that the Swinley Red Trail isn't that much different to the Blue Trail in my view. It's very 'pedaly' though, so you have to work to reap the rewards. But sections are fast, there are a lot of nice swooping berms, and a few tight twisty bits, but nothing (as far as I remember) that isn't rollable. You never need to get your wheels off the ground.
It's been a while since I rode there though, and memory is a funny old thing. Certainly no real "downhill" sections unless they've finally opened the area that they were developing just off the Blue Trail for that sort of thing.
You can spend a day there, as there's a fair bit of legacy 'off piste' trails to explore, and if you're willing to extend yourself there are a few local MTB race venues within pedaling distance. It's quite family friendly really. There's a Green Trail, plenty of benign fire roads, a play park, food, toilets and even a bike shop/bike hire place that can sell you essentials to rescue your day if you break the bike.
It's been a while since I rode there though, and memory is a funny old thing. Certainly no real "downhill" sections unless they've finally opened the area that they were developing just off the Blue Trail for that sort of thing.
You can spend a day there, as there's a fair bit of legacy 'off piste' trails to explore, and if you're willing to extend yourself there are a few local MTB race venues within pedaling distance. It's quite family friendly really. There's a Green Trail, plenty of benign fire roads, a play park, food, toilets and even a bike shop/bike hire place that can sell you essentials to rescue your day if you break the bike.
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