I walked a descent to Llanthony from the ridge to the north, it would be an interesting and cheeky ride. Has anyone put together a route using the bridleways that descend SE into the Ewyas and Orchon valleys from either side of Gospel Pass? Or maybe down Black Hill, which would be pretty tech.

Or is this roadie territory only?

From Gospel Pass – You can loop into the Olchon via the bridleway that goes beneath Hay Bluff.
(Nice descent into the Olchon Valley)
Then loop back North via trail that goes from Little Black Hill car park / picnic area.
You can also do a loop starting down to Pennant / Blaendigedi, on to the road and then come back over at the Rhiw Wen below Lord Hereford’s Knob, then loop back around Darren Lwyd.
Can easily do both in a day.
But its a while since I’ve done the Rhiw Wen climb.

Here’s photos of my marked up old-skool maps.

help yourself.

http://northmalvern.co.uk/black1.jpg

http://northmalvern.co.uk/black2.jpg

Cheers both

BTW, forgot to mention, Blue, Red and Pink are routes transcribed from elsewhere and Ive ridden most if not all of them, yellow are walks Ive done, but do cover some bridleways that could be ridden etc.

Thanks, I wondered about the colour codes and some of the yellow trails

what’s wrong with the killer loop?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1URdaaVQVnE[/video]

What’s wrong with the killer loop….. Well your doing it the wrong way round ….. + missing out a couple of sections… Like the loop over Draen + descent via fordlas fawr….

well I always thought the other way round will be long climb for short descent. Also my SD card was full so I don’t have the bit via fford las fawr (which I like really much).

Nothing wrong with the killer loop but there is so much more good riding in and around the area that it would be rude not to try some other routes… 8)

Thanks psling, exactly the reason for my question (I’m sure Gilles knew that too…)

And next time I do the “Killer” it will be modified to take in Y Das (down)