Brecon Beacons

I have a mountain bike, it has never seen a mountain 😳
Where in the brecon beacons would be a good starting point, im not expecting a gnarr fest just a couple of hours in the great outdoors with some great views. Talk to me!

Google gap route

Don’t Google the Gap route it’s blooming boring. Do the Black Mountain route instead.

I’m off there in a few days on a knees up. Think I might take the steed and get some me time.

<<THREAD HIJACK 🙂 >>What BnBs would you recommend? We’re staying in hotels out of town so I’ll want to be nearer to the action after all the other stuff is finished. Ta

this route?

http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/mountain-biking-black-mountains-wales/

it’ll be a gpx route and map for back up

thanks all!

I love the Malthouse in Talybont on Usk. Nice little village with a cafe and a couple of good pubs. Eat at The Star and drink in the White Hart.

The Malthouse does a great breakfast, decent clean rooms and free wifi.

Stayed in this place in Brecon a couple of months ago and it was great: http://www.tyhelygguesthouse.co.uk/
Bike friendly too I think although we didn’t have them with us.

Ta for the heads up. Will have a gander when back home.

I could be cheeky and suggest http://www.walking-books.com/Wales-Mountain-Biking.html Esp, as I used to live in the Beacons.

The Gap’s wonderful for the big mountain feel, the big Grwyne Fechan Black Mountain Loop – as featured in Singletrack magazine a few issues back – is a much better outing but it’s pretty big. Email me if you want GPXs/more info – email on profile.

I’d agree about the black mountain route but beware if you have never been in the mountains. Gap route is the safe option.

Eat at The Star and drink in the White Hart The Star

Surely?

Llangorse/Bwlch ridge if you don’t want anything too long.
Star is our pub of choice in Talybont.
Brother in law has stayed at the Bridge Cafe in Brecon with his Road bike, said it had a good breakfast.
Bear in Crickhowell also good, parents have stayed there, as do Evo sometimes when shooting around here.

Or Gliffaes if you’re minted.

I liked the Gap route – the descent was hilarious (almost) flat out, in the wet, on a fairly big bike (despite being so ill that day I barely managed the long climb up and around to it).

Come and stay in a genuine 12th century monastery with a bar in the cellar if you want to try something different. Riding from the door. I can give you any number of routes of any difficulty/duration you fancy.

http://www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk/

Friends of mine have a small B&B in Talybont – https://www.facebook.com/thearchesbaileysbarn.

It’s bike friendly and they are very welcoming. It’s not far from the Star and the White Hart either.

Don’t Google the Gap route it’s blooming boring.

Some good rides in the Black Mnts for sure. But the gap Boring !!!!! I hope I never get so jaded 😯 It’s not always about super technical gnar.

This is looking good guys. Just checked my diary and realised there are some meetings I’ll need to postpone. Time to don my diplomatic hat.

I’d eat in the Traveller’s – just a few metres out of town. Superb restaurant.

I could be cheeky and suggest http://www.walking-books.com/Wales-Mountain-Biking.html Esp, as I used to live in the Beacons.

Thats a great idea, i’ve got the dartmoor version which im working my way through – thankyou.

The Gap is looking favourite at the minute as the only epic im looking for are views and smiles 😀

Did the Gap for the first time 2 weeks ago and loved it. We were very lucky with the weather, the views are amazing the climbs are long but gradual and it’s more about a day out in the hills than an out and out gnar fest but would definitely recommend it.

We stayed at the campsite in Talybont which was great, ate and drank in the Star, food was very good and also happened to have a beer festival on, result!

The village store/cafe was also great for breakfast and post ride cake.

If you want a GPX my email is in profile.

thanks anthony YGM

You’re welcome, YGM too!

Some good rides in the Black Mnts for sure. But the gap Boring !!!!! I hope I never get so jaded It’s not always about super technical gnar.

Glad someone said that – the head of Cwm Cynwyn is just awesome…

Thats a great idea, i’ve got the dartmoor version which im working my way through – thankyou.

The Gap is looking favourite at the minute as the only epic im looking for are views and smiles

You’ll love it – enjoy! And feel free to ask if you have any questions about the Wales book/Wales in general.

Did the Gap 2 weekends ago and loved it. We were also very lucky with the weather (maybe same weekend?). the climb is mostly doable, easily navigable and the descent is loads of fun.

It’s a classic route with a big hills feel so for the OP not a bad choice IMHO.

I could be cheeky

i didnt realise you’d literally written the book on it! 🙂

i didnt realise you’d literally written the book on it!

Quite proud of it too – in a humble kind of way 🙂

Glad someone said that – the head of Cwm Cynwyn is just awesome…

It’s quite scenic in a Brecons kind of way, but it’s not an interesting ride IMO and I’ve done it twice, first time way back in the early 90’s on a fully rigid bike with canti’s.

Anthony/Tom et al – Thank you utterly epic! I kept riding to a new view and just been plain gobsmacked at the size of it!

Tom – I shall now be working my way through your book safe in the knowledge i can ride these things and weather aside will be!