Rode the raven trail on Friday and was a bit disappointed TBH.
Found it a bit same old same old, but without the attraction of any rocky sections.
Even on a rigid bike it felt unchallinging.
Thoughts please.
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Brechfa. Bit Boring Or What?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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i hated it too, boring boring boring
Posted 2 years ago # -
Go faster?
Posted 2 years ago # -
i did its still boring, i went for my birthday with a few mates, they all thought it sucked too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
One hour fifteen minutes for a first go round on a rigid singlespeed.
That includes pushing back up where I missed a black option so I could ride it.
Still found it a bit lacking in any form of challenge.
Posted 2 years ago # -
i love the place
Posted 2 years ago # -
I loved Brechfa , best ridden a warp speed,drifting around corners and chasing down the rider infront .http://paul-knott.fotopic.net/c1725141.html
Posted 2 years ago # -
Maybe I'd have liked it more with a mid ride stop for sausages and colemans.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Still found it a bit lacking in any form of challenge.
i think it is more of a fun trail than a technical challenge (though i still managed to fall off 3 times)...and it gets funnerer the faster you go.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like the place. Maybe it is same old same old because so many people want the trail centre formula and it is more or less only the FC who is providing it. Most trail centres are in forrestry, built/ designed by a limited number of people. There are many places in Brechfa Forest where the 'natural' rides are totally different. In places 'better', in other places 'worse'. Depending upon your definitions of course. But in no way boring.
I would suggest that many trail centres are only subtly diferent, thus may be classed as boring once a rider is familiar with the type of riding that is offered/ provided. As suggested above, speed changes things, as do different loop combinations.
The Ordnance Survey publish trail maps for your area, and mine, and that bloke's over there... Follow the pecked lines. There is loads of interest to do if you look around.
Posted 2 years ago # -
knottie8
how did the sausages taste when eaten with a tyre lever.
bet they tasted even better.Posted 2 years ago # -
Still found it a bit lacking in any form of challenge.
Isn't the challenge at Brechfa in the form of hitting the jumps/berms sweetly at full speed? Not been but saw some videos and it looks great imo.
If you were after a technical challenge why go to a trail centre?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Even on a rigid bike it felt unchallinging.
Well considering the number of people I've seen struggling on it, there's an awful lot of people who do find it too challenging!
Posted 2 years ago # -
When did clearing massive tabletops and doubles etc stop becoming a challenge?
You must be incredibly able on a bike....fair enough.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ambrose.
Some very good points there.
I did notice some very nice looking trails heading off into the forest.....
Ive riden a lot of stuff round that area in British Championship Enduros so I know whats out there.
But what I'm saying is that they don't seem to have made as good a trail as they could have.
And yes I understand that forest trail that are built for everyone to ride are sometimes a bit conservative. I just found this one partucularly so.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You seem to have missed the point though - it's not a challenge just to get round it. Did you clear all the tabletops/doubles?
Posted 2 years ago # -
grumm.
Not missed the point at all.
I don't need to go all that way to ride round a BMX track. ( and nore does anyone else)
Oh and BTW I only rode it because I had to visit a customer that was very close to it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The geology isn't kind to bikes there, nasty slippy loose shale in a number of places. it takes a LONG time to settle down in comparison to some centres. Plus the fact that the Raven is 'surfaced'! differently in places anyway. Given the constraints of the topography and finances I'd say a fair go has been made of it.
Now if you want to ride a real mess- try Cwmrhiadr in Cilycwm. I find that it is improving but some of the bermed corners are a positive nightmare for me, whatever speed I ride. I'm no trail god though, but it does make a good finish to the Mynnydd Mallaen loop.
Posted 2 years ago # -
No.
Brechfa is an absolute hoot.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Given the constraints of the topography and finances I'd say a fair go has been made of it.
Another good point.
Maybe they should put a ticket machine on the carpark and put the money back into the trail. Don't get me wrong it was a pleasant ride round when I should have been working and it didn't cost me anything to park or ride the trail so I'm greatfull for that. I just feel they could have done a bit more than try and make a BMX track on the downhill bits.
Posted 2 years ago # -
With the limited elevation aren't big sweeping berms and jumps the best way of getting the most from the available height?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Be honest. You were just scouting out the place so you're ready to race in next year's SSUK.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm with Knottie and Rex on this about liking brechfa. Oh, actually, I was with them that weekend. I think its a really great trail.
The apparant ease with which it can be ridden is where its a winner because both less confident riders can do it at their own pace and more confident can go for it and at speed its rather fun, and also starts to take on a whole new challenge. For me its a very subtly thought out trail for that reason.
It isn't that rocky, but then the way it rides it does not need to be IMO. Still I'd love to discover the local trails round there as its a real pretty area.
The other thing I like about it is I rode it in April on the Saturday and we met 3 other riders. Sunday we went to Afan, and there were at least 120 riders on Whites climb alone, so I should be saying its rubbish really.
Oh and apart from the sausages it created the legend that is Kingston Nott!
Posted 2 years ago # -
With the limited elevation aren't big sweeping berms and jumps the best way of getting the most from the available height?
If you have a look at whats around there like bedrock outcrops and natural gulleys no I don't think they have made the best of what's on offer. Take a look at some of the Scottish trails and see what they've done with the natural enviroment.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think thats the point about brechfa. It doesn't need to be rocky. Wales has loads of trail centres that do rocky and gnar etc etc!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Martin.
LOL I don't do the "R" word.
That's Amandas territory.
Anyway the big SS event next year will be SSEC in the FoD.
Or So the organiseres tell me .........
Oh Andy you were doing so well until you mentioned trail centeres and GNAR in the same post.
Posted 2 years ago # -
EIASF you are my hero, I so wish I was as good as you, BUT without the wok!
Martinh, I think you're right he did only go there so he can practise for ssuk 2010 as he won't get an entry for ssec 2010
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hey Don.
we all need to look up to someone.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh god its all gone niche-fest now.....im off
Thanks Mr Spaghetti! I though trail centres were where GNAR words were invented....?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anyway the big SS event next year will be SSEC in the FoD.
Whats this another event to fleece the unsuspecting ss'er
Many jonny foreignors coming?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks Mr Spaghetti! I though trail centres were where GNAR words were invented....?
Think you're right.
When it comes to a fight for the last table in the cafe.
Oh Rich beareded postmen are banned.....
Posted 2 years ago # -
The only people being fleeced are bearded wanabees on blue French bikes
Posted 2 years ago # -
Never ridden Brechfa, however we're all going for a hoon around Llandegla tomorrow.
I can happily throw my bike down rocky Peak District descents at a decent pace week in, week out, but the Llandegla 'bmx track' gives something different - jumps, berms, swoopy trails. I can only dream of being at a level where I didn't find it at all challenging - there's plenty to get you in trouble and I've seen some good crashes.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Couldn't agree with you more Spag. I got lynched a while back for calling Brechfa dull. And I thought Afan was manicured.
T/Top berm T/Top T/top T/Top berm T/Top T/Top yawn.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bearded wanabees on blue French bikes
You forgot the who don't buy a round bit.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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