Hi Folks,

Imn trying to plan the 1st day of a 3 day wales MTB tour from Macynncleth to Rhyl.

The 1st day is Machncleth to Bala

Firstly I was planning on going up Cadair Idris via the pony track (from the west) does anyone know a good descent to the east or south. The two option seem to be all the way down the west ridge with some steep stuff at the end. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?Z=115&X=272917.85197763314&Y=313562.1160221528
Alternatively, down via Llyn Cau http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?Z=115&X=272917.85197763314&Y=313562.1160221528

Secondly, has anyone ridden along the ridgeline of Aran Benllyn – Aran Fawddwy?http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?Z=115&X=286698.35197763314&Y=324368.6160221528

Any beta would be gratefully appreciated.

IMO you will need to wear your undercrackers on the outside and be allergic to Kryptonite if you are thinking of descending in a generally East or South direction. Best (cyclable) descent is back down the Pony Path and then hang a left down to Hafotty and round to Abergynolwyn or if you have all day, stay high and follow the Craig Las ridge (caution: not bridleway).

There is an obvious path down from Mynydd Pencoed but it’s like 45° most of the way.

Haven’t cycled the Arans but have walked them a few times – good luck 🙂

How bothered are you about being ‘legal’? The only legal ROW for a bike up / down Cadair is the Pony Path from the south. Most of Cadair is a nature reserve, the powers that be don’t have a high regard for bikes … just saying.

I ran the Ras Yr Aran a while back. It’s pretty rough in places on the ridge and there are few easily identifiable paths and lots of stiles.

It’s a pretty sensitive area. Personally, I wouldn’t ride it.

cheers rocketman for the advice – you reckon the Arans will be a fair bit of bika-a hike?

still s8tannorm- good point. From the above it looks like I’ll be on foot most of the descent anyway! More generally I dont think it hurts nature anymore to be on a 6 ft wide path designated a footpath, than it does a similar path designated a bridleway.

A fair bit of hike/bike is an understatement 🙂

Without wanting to get into the whole legal/bridleway thing, I have been riding round there since the late 90s and only once have I encountered a landowner who simply asked me if I knew where I was going. It is so remote away from the beaten track that it’s rare to see anybody all day. No excuse for technically breaking the law of course – I just wanted to put it in perspective.

I’ve no problem with folk riding it (or anywhere else). As Rocketman says you’re not likely to meet anyone and I don’t believe bikes cause anymore damage than feet do … just wanted to make sure you were aware of the situation. 😀