Weekend in South Wales mid-August. I am a complete virgin in this neck of the woods so can anyone enlighten me as to where we should be heading. Would like two days of cross country trail riding anything up to 30 miles per day.

Have mem-map so MMO files greatly appreciated cheers.

Staying in camper van so accommodation not an issue.

The Gap Route is probably worth a shout although it doesnt float everyones boat but the 3 mile rocky descent is worth it and the views are pretty good.

Black mountains are full of tasty singletrack, the killer loop is a good all day ride.

Probably best pointing you at http://www.mtb-wales.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=listpages&subid=12 for some route guides rather than trying to explain them myself.

I'm local and ride most weekends if you want anyone to tag along or more specific guidance.

i would say don't bother with the published gap route. to many numpties about. and it is a lot of road/fire road for not a lot of interesting bits.

Killer loop, except for the climb of y das is much more pleasant IMO.

Ive marked up some routes/rideable trails on OL13
Full size files can be downloaded from here:
http://www.northmalvern.co.uk/black1.jpg
http://www.northmalvern.co.uk/black2.jpg

MTB-WALES.com is your best bet. Post on there and you may even find a guide if one of us is about.

Its great riding down there – llangorse lake area and gap route are well worth doing.

We did a week down there and had a tick fest with the collie – so beware the wee buggers !

paul

not routes as such

look for ;
track off Tor y Foel down to Llangynidr
Bwlch > over Mynydd Llangorse ridge > Cockit > back along the contour route on Stoners map
some cheeky on the West side of a sweet hill by Abergavenny – no warden covering it on the weekends now 😉 Not that we've ever been that bothered
route out the SW of Mynydd Du forest on Stoners map is good and all

gap has distance for one short blast of fun
when I find the west map, there is a ride that skirts the west of the glessiad nature reserve from the mountain centre, heads onto the sarn Helen before taking a turn back over to the Crai/Forest Lodge mountain road

The Gap is one of my favourite XC trails, esp. for the scenery, but you need to get creative with the map and avoid trogging up the taff-trail. There's enough techy interest if you hunt around.