Where to Ride in North Wales/North West
Discussion
Im based in Chester and the only place I ride is Llandegla and occasionally Delamere but thats not really got the stuff there I like. I have done the Nant-Y-Arian trail in Aberystywyth 101 times as I went to uni there for 3 years. I loved that trail aswell!
Im into XC mainly and love the Red/black stuff at llandegla.
Anyone able to reccomend me any trails?
Im into XC mainly and love the Red/black stuff at llandegla.
Anyone able to reccomend me any trails?
A mate of mine lives in Chester, he rides with a local club and gets out 2 or 3 times a week, i haven't a clue what their club name is though i'm afraid.
He's guided me around the local area a bit, theres some good stuff. Check out:
http://www.ridetheclwyds.com/rideclwyds/index.asp
Also, Penmachno is fairly local and the Marin Trail too.
He's guided me around the local area a bit, theres some good stuff. Check out:
http://www.ridetheclwyds.com/rideclwyds/index.asp
Also, Penmachno is fairly local and the Marin Trail too.
I love the “Syfydrin Trail” at Nant y Arian, the feeling of remoteness when it goes onto the hills is fantastic. You mentioned uni, when I was doing the Syfydrin a couple of months ago, I totally exhausted myself and ended up having to push up “The Leg Burner,” a lad rode up behind me and gave up, got off, and pushed up with me, he was saying he was from the uni bike club and they go there all the time. All his smug bike club mates went flying past us up that monster climb as we walked up 
I went back a couple of weeks later because I felt defeated by the climb and absolutely nailed it around and up “The Leg Burner” so felt a bit better about it after that 
I’d say Coed y Brenin is the best for difficulty/technical and effort (“The Beast”). Delamere is very tame compared to any of the Welsh trails. I’ve also tried the Macc Forest area but that didn’t do much for me either. Here’s a pic on the Syfydrin Trail...
I went back a couple of weeks later because I felt defeated by the climb and absolutely nailed it around and up “The Leg Burner” so felt a bit better about it after that I’d say Coed y Brenin is the best for difficulty/technical and effort (“The Beast”). Delamere is very tame compared to any of the Welsh trails. I’ve also tried the Macc Forest area but that didn’t do much for me either. Here’s a pic on the Syfydrin Trail...thepickle said:
I love the “Syfydrin Trail” at Nant y Arian, the feeling of remoteness when it goes onto the hills is fantastic. You mentioned uni, when I was doing the Syfydrin a couple of months ago, I totally exhausted myself and ended up having to push up “The Leg Burner,” a lad rode up behind me and gave up, got off, and pushed up with me, he was saying he was from the uni bike club and they go there all the time. All his smug bike club mates went flying past us up that monster climb as we walked up I went back a couple of weeks later because I felt defeated by the climb and absolutely nailed it around and up “The Leg Burner” so felt a bit better about it after that I’d say Coed y Brenin is the best for difficulty/technical and effort (“The Beast”). Delamere is very tame compared to any of the Welsh trails. I’ve also tried the Macc Forest area but that didn’t do much for me either. Here’s a pic on the Syfydrin Trail...
Small world! MTB club member here I went back a couple of weeks later because I felt defeated by the climb and absolutely nailed it around and up “The Leg Burner” so felt a bit better about it after that I’d say Coed y Brenin is the best for difficulty/technical and effort (“The Beast”). Delamere is very tame compared to any of the Welsh trails. I’ve also tried the Macc Forest area but that didn’t do much for me either. Here’s a pic on the Syfydrin Trail...
Was the guy who walked on a black Orange P7?I think that picture's taken at the start of the first short, sharp descent on the "outer" part of the Continental trail. I love that place...
Edited by Jimbo. on Tuesday 8th July 09:12
The Marin Trail near Betws-y-Coed was enjoyable with a mix of forestry roads and single track 
We were there back in March. It was our first ride this year and it had been a long while since we had been out on the bikes so the first bit absolutely killed us as it was mostly climbing.
I would love to go back now fitness levels are higher.
We were there back in March. It was our first ride this year and it had been a long while since we had been out on the bikes so the first bit absolutely killed us as it was mostly climbing.
I would love to go back now fitness levels are higher.
Quinny – I did the “Wayfarer” about 5 weeks ago 
Here’s a link to the route I did CLICKY There was too much road riding for my liking but it was good to ride the Wayfarer itself, although the loose rock ascents near the top I found unridable in places. I even left a message in the “thought box” at the top saying how much I hated the rocky ascent! There were some funny messages about 4 x 4 drivers in there by the way (written by walkers no doubt), as maybe you read? It’s a good blast downhill from the top, really long, virtually no pedalling effort required all the way back to Corwen! I found it a bit easy but that's just me.
Jimbo – I really can’t remember 100%, but it was definitely a dark coloured hardtail so maybe it was. I think the guy had a bit of facial hair (goatee style maybe?) and I was moaning about cramp, saying I could hardly walk, and asking what was the quickest route back to the trail centre if that helps?
Yes, the climb at the start of the Marin is a good one. No chance to get properly warmed up and straight onto that thing! I try to ride in Wales at least once a week so have hammered all the trails mentioned here
Here’s a link to the route I did CLICKY There was too much road riding for my liking but it was good to ride the Wayfarer itself, although the loose rock ascents near the top I found unridable in places. I even left a message in the “thought box” at the top saying how much I hated the rocky ascent! There were some funny messages about 4 x 4 drivers in there by the way (written by walkers no doubt), as maybe you read? It’s a good blast downhill from the top, really long, virtually no pedalling effort required all the way back to Corwen! I found it a bit easy but that's just me.Jimbo – I really can’t remember 100%, but it was definitely a dark coloured hardtail so maybe it was. I think the guy had a bit of facial hair (goatee style maybe?) and I was moaning about cramp, saying I could hardly walk, and asking what was the quickest route back to the trail centre if that helps?
Yes, the climb at the start of the Marin is a good one. No chance to get properly warmed up and straight onto that thing! I try to ride in Wales at least once a week so have hammered all the trails mentioned here
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