MTB 3 day break

[missing the VR6]

Hi folks,

I've booked the first week of April off and fancy a few days riding. It'll probably just be myself and I'm a bit stuck for where to go. The options are either all three trail centres in the Lake District, never been to the Lakes and I'm keen to go but it's a long way if they suck. Or Wales, it'd be Nant yr Arian, Gwydyr Forest and Coed Llangdegla. Never been to Nant yr Arian or Gwydyr. I rode Llangdegla last year and it's my favourite trail centre in Wales or England only bettered by Glentress and the Alps as far as I'm concerned.

I've ridden most of the other trail centres in Wales. I have selected the one's I have based on convenience, of course I could look at Dalby, but only really want an hour or so trip from each one to the next.

The plan is to ride one centre a day, if there's more than 1 trail I may consider riding both.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Aaron

[ewenm]

The Lake District is great, and remember there is a big network of bridleways and byways outside the trail centres.

[missing the VR6]

ewenm said:

The Lake District is great, and remember there is a big network of bridleways and byways outside the trail centres.

What are the trail centres like to ride in the Lakes, are they technical or flowy and jumpy?

[ewenm]

missing the VR6 said:

ewenm said:

The Lake District is great, and remember there is a big network of bridleways and byways outside the trail centres.

What are the trail centres like to ride in the Lakes, are they technical or flowy and jumpy?

No idea, I ride "natural" when I go to the Lakes. I expect they've got some of both though.

[AndyWoodall]

A few sections of Nant-yr-Arian are (or were, they might be finished by April) closed at the moment, some of the best trail centery bits too which is a shame. The majority of the long Syfydrin trail (35k) is open though I think. Gets wild up there though and I'd only attempt on your own if the weather is very fair (if something goes wrong in some parts of that trail there is no signal and you won't necessarily see anyone out there either so you could get in trouble very quickly if you had a particular unlucky or bad off). That particular trail is much more hardcore than anything at Llandegla, but more so for the remoteness than the actual trails I'd say.

If I had a few days I'd be looking at exploring all of Afan. I went recently and was really impressed with the amount on offer, theres a good few days of riding there.

Another option worth looking at is Llandegla, Penmachno and Coed-y-Brenin. Good mix there of easy and flowy at Llandegla, wilder more remote riding at Penmachno and a bit of technical at Brenin.

Basically, go to Wales. Its what I do, but then I like an hour or so from the North Wales stuff.

[missing the VR6]

Thanks for the suggestions, problem is I've done both the Cwm Carn trails many times, Done all of Afan lots and popping down on Easter Sunday to do Penydd again, I've done Brechfa, Cwm Rhaeder, Coed y Brenin twice and Llangdegla once. Had ruled out Penmachno due to it's XC nature as I understand it. Been to Antor Stiniog and Bike Park Wales a couple of times, and the Revolution looks beyond my abilities. So kind of running out of options.

[anonymous-user]

You have Whinlatter and Grizedale in the lakes too, they are both quite fast XC bias routes but drain very well so are good bad weather options.

There is plenty of good riding on the ususal rights of way though, just dig out a 1:25000 map and have a look. I think streetmap have a OS view which is useful, there is loads of good riding to the north west of Ambleside towards Ullswater though its very exposed. I'm sure there will be good advice on STW too and people happy to share routes.

[Herman Toothrot]

Escape the UK and head to southern Spain Sierra Nevadas this time of year would be amazing - I was intending to go 17th to 21st this month but no one else to go with and cash flow not being the best this month means I abandoned.

[joema]

Lakes are awesome if you can find the stuff off of the trail centre stuff. It's amazing there from what we rode but I'd be keen for a local guide

I'd do North Wales. At least if you like Llandegla you will have one day you enjoy. You could also try Dyfi.

[missing the VR6]

Herman Toothrot said:

Escape the UK and head to southern Spain Sierra Nevadas this time of year would be amazing - I was intending to go 17th to 21st this month but no one else to go with and cash flow not being the best this month means I abandoned.

Great idea but I don't fancy the drive on my own and this needs to be cheap as I've a proper holiday in July and hopefully a trip to the Alps in June for some lift assisted fun.

[missing the VR6]

joema said:

Lakes are awesome if you can find the stuff off of the trail centre stuff. It's amazing there from what we rode but I'd be keen for a local guide

I'd do North Wales. At least if you like Llandegla you will have one day you enjoy. You could also try Dyfi.

Thanks for the advice, not sure my budget will cover a guide, but a great idea.

That's part of the problem, Wales is the safe bet. I'll look into Dyfi, never heard of it before.

[joema]

http://www.dyfimountainbiking.org.uk/climachx/

My only experience of the Lakes and Dyfi is from enduro and both used a lot of off piste. If you can find similar stuff - both places are meant to have loads - then it will be great. If you don't it could be an issue but the marked trails should be enough.

Link below has some guides:

http://bikemagic.com/?s=lake+district&submit=

Trailforks on pinkbike may help too

[AndyWoodall]

missing the VR6 said:

Had ruled out Penmachno due to it's XC nature as I understand it. Been to Antor Stiniog and Bike Park Wales a couple of times, and the Revolution looks beyond my abilities. So kind of running out of options.

Penmachno's no more XC than Nant-yr-Arian or Cwm Carn or some of the Afan trails, but I guess it depends on your perspective.

[wobert]

I live in N Wales so I might be a bit biased......

I've ridden Nant yr Arian and it's an epic ride. I did it in summer when we were blessed with good weather. The scenery is simply stunning and the remoteness is like nothing else - definitely recommended.

I've also ridden the Brecfa trails too, also good, flowing trails nothing too technical.

Marin Trail at Betws y Coed is also a great ride, but more technical. Again views are stunning and u feel out in the wilds, although actually never far from civilisation.

Llandegla is only ten mins from me, so it's my local riding centre. I prefer flowing trails so tend to mix red, black and blue to get the ride right.

One left field choice would be Telegraph Valley near Llanberis. It's parallel to the train track that goes up Snowdon. I did a loop which went up the valley and then looped past Llyn Cwellyn to Waunfawr.

Again, proper wild trails, epic scenery and Telegraph down would be perfect (as opposed to the slot up hill I did!)

Here's some photos to whet your appetite...

View up to the ridge line towards the Rangers Path:



View back down towards Llanberis:



View over Llyn Cwellyn:

Edited by wobert on Wednesday 9th March 19:09

[missing the VR6]

Thanks for your input folks. I've decided on the Lake District, Whinlatter and Grizedale and Gisburn on the way home. Just really want to go somewhere different.

Will certainly check out some of those Welsh options in due course though.

[rhinochopig]

Last minute suggestion...

Stay in the moors for two nights.

Day 1 - Dalby Forest
Day 2 - Guisborough woods - there is a huge trail building scene there and some of the trails are and
Day 3 - either drive up to Hamsterely or across to Stainburn.

Or if you like day long epics you can do some VERY VERY long day rides over the moors.

[Elfit]

Lake District is great. But was hard hit by recent floods some roads are still closed. Not sure about the state of the trails.Might be worth checking out just in case.
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/news/news-p...


If you're after trails check out http://www.7stanesmountainbiking.com/
Great trails in Scottish Borders


A three day ride 120 miles from Berwick to Hexham...
http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/

Just a thought.....

[gp1699]

I wouldn't bother with Dalby is a little boring, too much up hill and not enough down... more suited to XC riding. I think you would have more fun with an adventure over the North Yorkshire Moors.

[richardxjr]

Elfit said:

http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/

Like the look of that, thanks for posting.

With a 3 day pass I'd be doing the Capital Trail.

Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 17th March 12:06

[Elfit]

richardxjr said:

Elfit said:

http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/

Like the look of that, thanks for posting.

With a 3 day pass I'd be doing the Capital Trail.

Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 17th March 12:06

Capital Way ~ I like the look of that. Fair trade!

Cheers
Tim

I haven't done the Sandstone way yet but will do this year. I live 15 miles or so from Hexham so it's a ride to do either to or from the front door