afan forest park - W2

[E21_Ross]

just did the W2 today for the 2nd time (did it about 6-7 months ago) anyone else on here done it before? took me about 4hours 25mins with a few short breaks, and one 15 minute break half way around.

long, tough ride. forgot how hard it was, i'm pretty tired now!!!

[Minnsy]

Going there in a few weeks - I heard that the Penhydd run is closed, is this true?

[Gooby]

That is a tough ride, better when it is dry but really hard work any time. Hard to believe it is only about 25 miles. I ride with some guys who do it twice in a day for training!

I lost my Suunto Stinger and about 2 mins consiousness on that ride - love to get the stinger back!

Edited by Gooby on Monday 19th April 11:35

[theboymoon]

rode it in the snow with Abarth 'zippy' Chris, Rico from ph and about a dozen others a few weeks ago.

I really like it, one of my favourite UK trail centre rides

check this out for a mid-ride FAIL!

Edited by theboymoon on Monday 19th April 11:36

[P-Jay]

Minnsy said:

Going there in a few weeks - I heard that the Penhydd run is closed, is this true?

Yeah closed for a year for Harvesting.

Had a look at the new 4X track yesterday, might be finished in a few weeks if you fancy some nice easy 10m peak to peak doubles

[E21_Ross]

yup, penhydd is shut sadly, i liked that ride as a "warm up" to the wall. was going to do those 2 but just did the W2 instead. anyone on here done skyline? i've heard it's not as technical, but is it still a ride worth doing? how much longer does it take than the W2.

and yes, mileage is so irrelevant on these rides, since a lot of ups are even slower because of the technical, and the same for the downs as well.

Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 19th April 16:20

[Minnsy]

Did Skyline last october. In driving rain. And wind. Wind so strong, had to peddle DOWN some of the hills (I kid you not). Took ages, as one of our group was a bit of a pansy (bless). However the final descent (called 'Jet Lag') was a blinder.

[E21_Ross]

Minnsy said:

Did Skyline last october. In driving rain. And wind. Wind so strong, had to peddle DOWN some of the hills (I kid you not). Took ages, as one of our group was a bit of a pansy (bless). However the final descent (called 'Jet Lag') was a blinder.

blimey, wouldn't fancy doing it in anything but good conditions myself any idea how much longer it takes than the W2? i've heard it's not quite as good for the technical stuff, but it's the longer ride...think i'd love to do it just to be able to know i've done a ride that arduous. the W2 is fairly tough but i've not been cycling much at all (lots of running though) and i did it without any real problems, and i can manage the beast of coed y brenin alright too. is skyline much tougher/longer than any of them? i've seen the climb figure for it, which does look a hell of a lot compared to the beast!?

thanks guys

ps - nutters for doing it in the snow!!!!!

[Gooby]

For those in the know, do you do Whites first or the Wall first, and why?

[E21_Ross]

Gooby said:

For those in the know, do you do Whites first or the Wall first, and why?

i'm perhaps not in the know but i did the wall first, because the start is rather easy and gives you a steady warm up. whites level is straight into a 6km technical uphill session which seems tougher if you start from cold, than if you've been riding for 2 hours or so before you get there. it's a tough ol' climb that one. not that much in terms of metres (maybe 300m???) or so, but it's almost ALL technical, so it can take it out of you. you can't take it easy as you'll come off as you're going too slow.

Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 19th April 16:18

[theboymoon]

E21_Ross said:

Gooby said:

For those in the know, do you do Whites first or the Wall first, and why?

i'm perhaps not in the know but i did the wall first, because the start is rather easy and gives you a steady warm up. whites level is straight into a 6km technical uphill session which seems tougher if you start from cold, than if you've been riding for 2 hours or so before you get there. it's a tough ol' climb that one. not that much in terms of metres (maybe 300m???) or so, but it's almost ALL technical, so it can take it out of you. you can't take it easy as you'll come off as you're going too slow.

Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 19th April 16:18

I also do not claim to be in the know of anything....

but i always start at glyncorrwg so that the half time is at the 'other' cafe for a quick stop followed by a finish on the best descent of all (Whytes) and then a proper post ride bit of food and beer in the drop off cafe.

hmmm, that makes me sound like a right pansy choosing my ride on the quality of the catering but there you go.

[ar 145]

To the OP.

I was there last weekend too (16th-18th) I camped there!

What bike were you riding? were you camping?

I done W2 on Saturday and then Skyride on Sunday. Skyride was EXCELLENT! Really enjoyed it!

Cheers

[ar 145]

To the OP.

I was there last weekend too (16th-18th) I camped there!

What bike were you riding? were you camping?

I done W2 on Saturday and then Skyride on Sunday. Skyride was EXCELLENT! Really enjoyed it!

Cheers

[E21_Ross]

i was on an Orange G3 hardtail (with uprated forks). i fell off on one of the uphill techy bits on whites level and subsequently lost 1st gear

didn't camp, i don't live too far away so just drove up.

edit: i had a backpack on which had a PH smiley pinned to the back

Edited by E21_Ross on Monday 19th April 16:58

[theboymoon]

it was fine in the snow...

sometimes you looked down and it was


but mostly it was fine either doing a bit of this...


or this...!