[Closed] Afan?

The lack of trails is probably not helping either.

General rumor and feedback from other riders is that half of afan man made routes are closed off or about to be closed off. Some people have to think is it actually worth the trip? for me nope, i live in birmingham and while 12 months ago would of took the trip to Afan now its just not worth it. Too many diversions and the while the cafe is a nice addition you can't beat a good feed after a ride.

I was planning on riding Skyline before it shuts.

Is it still open and relatively complete?

I hear that there was quite a lot of fire road originally so hoping that the single track hasn't been diverted to fire road.

W2 level was fully open, some short term closures in week for tree felling. Skyline had one closure and the diversion which dosent cut out tha much. Dry fast and fun as always.

I was staying there fri - mon, and chose to try out Brecfa and Cwmcarn as well. Simply not enough riding at afan for a long weekend anymore. Pen still closed and some sections of the wall were closed for logging during the week, but were open at the weekend.

The cafe at glyncorwg is only doing toasted sandwiches too, and only open to 7pm so no sitting there having a beer before bed which is a real shame (the Swift bar in glyncorwg was 'interesting')

Still it did mean for the first time ever I didn't get stuck behind anyone on the descents and got decent full speed runs in. Lots of fun.

I also noticed a big increase in the numbers of couples riding. Seeing a girl on the trail used to be quite novel!

Seemed busy enough a few weeks ago.

The diversion notice for Whites Level is really stupidly worded - basically two thirds of the downhill is closed. I very nearly didn't bother until I spotted the bit right at the very bottom where it says "but open at weekends".

Mind you, it was only just about open when we rode it, with the trail all but blocked in a few places with felled trees.

Not been since the Pen closure - usually go with a couple of mates who's ability and stamina mean it's about right for them. When is it due to open again?

We're heading down this weekend (day trip) as we'd heard Skyline is closing later in the year.

I thought there was a lack of the old atmosphere on Saturday too.

That, coupled with trail closures and those that are opening now seeming quite tame and/or worn out means I probably wont visit again for a while 😥

Just been on to the visitor centre and have managed to get some sense.
This is what they told me:

1) Whytes some sections diverted during the week for forestry work, this will soon be over.

2) Skyline might close in the future to allow the erection of a windfarm, there will be a temp replacement, but at the moment nothing is confirmed.

Skyline has a number of diversions but we ignored these as they cut out a lot of trails that are what we go for - Granada, Joyride, Handy Andy, Gramd Canyon etc. But these are all rideable with a little hike-a-bike.

The lack of sofas and bike mags in the cafe meant that we decided to brew tea in the van instead! A huge opportunity lost.

Can anyone put bones on these rumours that Skyline will close?

This months MTR states that £915k will be invested at Afan and Cwmcarn in the next couple of years. This is a mixed blessing if all that great trail is going offline, its spending a million quid to stand still!

The investment seems aimed at more blue trails than singletrack to attract more people to mtb. Good idea but let's not fogrget the dedicated mtb riders need some more trails to. Afan W2 level still provides a good trail. IMHO worn out trails provide more challenging rides than groomed singletrack. Something that Bristol Ashton court will lose from the planned improvements there.

Which cafe are you referring to? We went to Afan a few times in 03-05 but can never remember which trails run from which car park.

Can recall the dingy little cafe run by school dinner type ladies - where you daren't risk anything other than a jacket potato ... and then the well-sorted (re-opened in about 04/05) cafe at the other site (with all the camping facilities etc).

Were on our way to glyncorrwg tonight to ride whites or w2 tomorrow, is it a case the majority of the whites descents are closed? Long drive to ride firetracks if they are.

When is Pennhyd opening again? I'm sure it was supposed to be sometime in May this year??

Eco2 intends to resubmit an updated application to the council giving Neath Port Talbot a second chance to consent the scheme rather than bringing it before alternative consenting bodies.

From the windfarm developers website. http://www.eco2uk.com/en/our_projects/project_detail.asp?project_id=3

I'm surprised that there is talk of Skyline closing when as far as I know there has been nothing announced about the windfarm going ahead. Indeed, it seems from the above that the developer needs to re-apply.

In light of recent developments regarding other wind energy applications in this area, we are withdrawing our appeal application.

So hopefully that's the end of it!

😀 Good News.

blackchrome, I managed to miss that quote. It's right alongside the one that I quoted. I'm an idiot!

Of course what they don't say in your quote is where the other applications are? There was talk of a windfarm numbering over 90 turbines which would have stretched from area of The Wall right up and across Skyline. A windfarm above Pontrhydyfen for instance may still stretch up to Skyline but not be described as a 'Glyncorrwg' windfarm.

It was very sad to see the Ford Granada of the 'Granada' section exposed and next to a pile of wood ready for extraction ...

However, for me Skyline is one of the best old school trails there is!

I've found what I assume to be the 'other' application for a windfarm which seems to have been approved a couple of months ago:

http://www.penycymoeddwindfarm.info/welcome/the_project.html

84 turbines all across the hills in that area.

IdleJon, that is Bad news - 84 turbines filling the whole area!

Good info idlejohn and blackchrome.

The Wall is all open as is Whites and Skyline save that one or two area of singletrack on Skyline are closed and not passable - as oposed to just 'closed' (granada). Did Skyline yesterday and it was great if a bit windy!

Anyone know when Penhydd is opening again? It's been closed for more than a year now 🙁

Penhydd isn't ever going to re-open as it was as I understand it - closed for good. A completely new trail is going to be built in that area, but work won't start until that side of that valley has been clear-felled, following the fungal infection in the trees. I think we're talking a few years.....

No more Hidden Valley, Sidewinder etc etc 🙁