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So, they've built a BMX track at Afan - what on Earth does that have to do with mountain bikes?
Looks like fun. Might get out of bed for that on Sat morning.
That looks great fun. Thanks for the PSA, must head back over there sometime soon.
looks nice.
got a meeting in cardiff soon that I might have to chuck the bike in the back of the car for.
Wouldn't mind rolling round that (wheels firmly on ground). Followed by W2 - is it all open now?
Better than the never-ending slop round here.
Looks good to me.
Cant quite work out if this is the "adult skills area" or part of the new bits of the Wall or a mix of both.
Either way i'll be on it soon.
Mikey74 if you dont like it dont ride it. Leave it to the people who appreciatte it to wear it out.
OK, maybe a bit harsh, and I am sure it is fun to ride, but it is essentially a BMX track.
If you have to ask, you'll never know...
Looks like a lot of fun! 🙂
thats next weekends ride sorted then!
Mountain biker complaining about trails being built. Only on stw. Looks fun, I'll be in Cardiff working after new year, need to check that out.
It's not about that trail per-se, I just fear all built trail centre trails may end up like that. They seem to be going that way.
That's the location for the Loco Tuning christmas ride sorted then 😀
Oh great, somewhere else to show up a lack of skill!!
Looks fun, but I'll apologise now to anyone who gets caught behind me!!
They are going that way, it would seem, but it does make sense. Why build two or 3 different grades of trail when you can build one trail that can be ridden by everyone in the style and at the speed they choose?. Beginners can ride that, and guys like roman sorrell in the video can ride it. Makes financial sense.
I think it's a bike park AND new section on Y Wal (the wall)
if you could all hold off riding it till after Christmas, that would be great so we get to ride virgin trails 😉
I didnt realise that Afan forest was the preserve of mountain bikers only, and presumably just those riding man made trails. Get with the times, it's what blue graded trails are all about nowadays 😉
Had a walk around this the other day, it looks great. The opening shots are just a small bit of trail that links 373 to Graveyard, but the skills area is a valuable addition. There is a circle of large boulders which would require (IMHO) a high degree of technical skill to negotiate, wooden north shore style sections, and a variety of smooth tabletops and berms. I can't see how this is anything but a good thing for Afan, it will be great for riders to practise skills before ending with Zig Zags. Don't we all want to be better riders? Well done Cognation, can't wait to get up there.
I just fear all built trail centre trails may end up like that.
It's a bike park trail with what look like some fairly large jumps. Making it 18" wide and peppered with random rocks wouldn't be particularly safe or enjoyable.
Cwm Rhyader is a great example of a different trail by the same builder which looks and feels a lot more "natural".
Looks ace. Very nicely shot video too. Stop your moaning FFS!
shaggy, wanna ride the new trails this sunday?
Apparently plans for the new bike park at Merthyr are doing the rounds;
17 trails, campsite, cafe & shop, 260 space car park. Apparently it's hoooge!
Where's that BMX track at Afan then? Top, bottom, Argoed or Glyn site?
Looks ace!
Where's that BMX track at Afan then? Top, bottom, Argoed or Glyn site?
Bottom end. It's situated next to Bryn Bettws Lodge just before the final descent of The Wall.
Has it replaced the 4X track?
No, it's a Cognation project and located in the woods close to the lodge, although it has nothing to do with them I believe.
Ah, ta. Think thats saturday sorted 😀
^ My thoughts as well roll on Saturday 🙂 looks fun and a great addition
It was only revealed to me a couple of days ago that I now live about an hour and half away from Afan...since folk are talking about checking it out on Saturday would anyone mind showing me around whilst they're at it?
It a possible from me, roadie. I'll be travelling up from Bristol. Drop me a PM.
Saw it up close a few weekends ago (we were good boys though and didn't ride it. I think it'll be a great addition to the wall / W2. A bit of smooth berm/jump action as a fillip to the rocky wall descent
I've got the day off on tuesday, going to head up and ride early, want to do white/ywal and check out the new skills area too. Anyone up for a ride?
Off to Afan next weekend. Looking forward to giving this a go, even if the wheels hardly leave the ground
Wrecker yes that trail centre is already being built in Gethin forest 2 miles from my house gonna be awesome 😀
I'll be there in morning nice and early, be rude to live so close and not check it out. 🙂
Well done Cognation - looks excellent!
Get Penhydd back to its former glory and Afan will truly be back.
I'd love to see some steep techy stuff up there though.
So did anyone go today?
Won't be long there'll be Alpine chair lifts and french accents in the Garw Valley LOL 😀
That looks bloody ace
Got back earlier and can report it is damn good fun! plenty of people up there enjoying themselves this morning. There are 5 maybe 6 lines, two are relatively short with tables & doubles jumps. The others are really flowy with some nice pump track style sections with added tight steep berms that can be railed at speed 😛 . There is another line which splits near the top and is either a singletrack type section or the more extreme option with massive tables and a step down into some berms.
The new singletrack loop before final descent zig zags is a swooping trail through the trees which is also a great addition.
Yes it's all motorway smooth, but hopefully it will roughen up a bit over time but its a good contrast to the rest of the trail.
I can only echo what Nicksee says. Was up there this morning and is a great addition to the wall. really good fun, abit groomed but very enjoyable.
Reminds me of a mini glentress now with all these options....I'm one happy Welshman 🙂
Great fun. Still alot of work to be done, but still amazing fun! Needs a longer run into the table tops IMO. Was struggling to get up to speed. Good mix of riders up there this afternoon, punters to pros (kind of). Someone was hitting Xups, and cancans!
Go check it out.
what on Earth does that have to do with mountain bikes?
It's fun? Cheer up you miserable unt 😆
Looks awesome, I love that kind of trails. Always think they're more fun than rocky tech stuff.