Anyone know which marker post loop 2 goes off at and also where it comes back on to the original loop? I think (but may well be wrong) that it rejoins the original loop not long after it left it (have a friend that won't be up to both loops so need to tell her where to wait)

thanks

yes that's right. on the original loop, there was a climb leading up to fire road: you would turn left up the hill to the clear felled section. You no turn right for loop 2 and rejoin about 200 yards up the hill. Loop 2 is almost as long as loop 1 though so she might be waiting for yo sor some time

to be fair loop 2 is not that hard you might prefer to take her around loop 2 then when rejoining / crossing the tarmac road send her back on it to Penmachno and ride the rest of loop 1 on your own including the hideous uphill downhill section

there is a signpost just as you join the fireroad. says loop one left, loop 2 right and i'm pretty sure there is a sign at the end of it too telling you where to go

Loop 2 breaks off after 7.6km and rejoins after another 11km.