dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding

Video: Dan Atherton In Dyfi Forest

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Dan Atherton is a rider that we could never grow tired of watching. His effortless style and incredible pace on the bike make him one of the most talented mountain bikers on the planet, and they’re big reasons as to why he’s been in the public eye for so long. Videos like his insane run at the Red Bull Hardline event are surely testament to that.

Aside from his insane riding skills, ‘Affy’ is also a well renowned trail builder, having been the brainchild behind the terrifying Hardline course, along with numerous trails and dirt jumps that we regularly see in his videos. In his latest edit, we get a look at Affy putting the finishing touches into a downhill run at the Dyfi Forest in Wales, before putting tyres to dirt for the first time. Check out the full press release below, along with the final cut of Affy making everything look all too easy!

dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
The spectacular Welsh countryside provides the backdrop for Affy’s latest edit. Photo: Mount Creative.

DYFI

Dan Atherton can often be found on the “worlds most stylish rider” lists but he’s probably as famous for his trail-building skills and his incredible work ethic as for his riding skills. This has never been more apparent as in this latest project which has seen him create two amazing lines in his beloved Dyfi Forest.

dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
Jeep? Check. Man-tools? Check. Flat-cap? Check. Photo: Laurence Crossman-Emms.

Dan said “The tracks that you see in this edit have been a ridiculous amount of work, but you only get out what you’ve put in. This project will never really be finished, there are two tracks featured in the edit but they are definitely a work in progress; we’ve been working on these trails for a year and stuff’s already great fun to ride but there’s loads more I want to do.”

dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
Affy is also quite the firewood enthusiast we’re told. Photo: Dave Mackison.

“The forest is awesome it’s got the same elevation drop as Fort William or Hardline but there are places where the terrain is relatively mellow, that meant we could build these cool flowing jump lines that you don’t have to brake on.”

dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
Trails that look like they’ve been carved out of peanut butter. Mmmm, tasty! Photo: Dave Mackison.
dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
We know this trail is a lot steeper than the photo alludes to. It is a Dan Atherton trail after all. Photo: Dave Mackison.
dan atherton trek session wales dyfi trail building trailbuilding
MmmmK, that’s big. Photo: Dave Mackison.
dan atherton style trek session wales dyfi
If only we had 1/20th of Affy’s style! Photo: Dave Mackison.

“Some of the projects I’ve worked on like Hardline or the 4 x3 Quarry line have been so intense that you can only ride them when you are right on top of your game, this time I wanted to create something that was fun to ride every day and that we could ride with friends, not just for me, Gee and Rach but for all the guys who were out in all weathers helping to dig it.”

dan atherton trek session wales dyfi dirt jump trail building trailbuilding
Behind the scenes of Dan Atherton’s latest edit; ‘Dyfi’. Photo: Laurence Crossman-Emms.

If you want to get inspired to go out trail digging yourself, then put on the kettle and get yourself a cuppa to sit back and enjoy with this vide. Love what you see? The Dyfi video has been directed by Robbie Meade of Mount Creative, and it’s said to be the first in a series documenting Dan’s project in the Dyfi Forest, so there’ll be plenty more to come. Enjoy!


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