ref the red graded trail at afan.im thinking of going ther and wondered about the quoted times of 1.5-3 hours for the 10 loops.is this conservative or accurate?
it mentions that some of the decents are rocky.is this small rocks everywhere or rock gardens or huge rock drop offs.
is it all doable on a decent full sus xc bike?
are the black sections getting into downhill bike territory?
It is probably more tame than you think. Rocky doesn't mean loose rock gardens - more like slabs and bumps. The rock is fairly gritty, so not silly slippy when wet. It is all doable on a rigid bike - any mountain bike would be fine. FS trail bike ideal and most comfy.
Black bits are fun but short, with more loose rocks and technicality. All can be rolled through without undue drama though if you slow down and pick the nicest lines.
There's nothing at Afan that's not rideable by normal riders on normal bikes. Suspension at the front will make the riding a lot more enjoyable for most. At the rear, it's nice to have suspension but definitely not necessary.
Rocks are just usual trail rocks - no huge rocks to jump over/drop off unless you choose too (there are typically two lines round any big ones). Definitely no huge dropoffs.
The black run on White's isn't really any harder than the rest and definitely not DH bike territory - I've never really understood why it's marked as black.
Penhydd is good for beginners, the Wall and White's a bit harder but not massively so.
1.5 to 3 hours for The Wall or White's Level are about right
Penhydd - cut out the loop between markers 8 and 11 - 'Brashy track' is ok but not worth the extra distance. If you want to make it a bit longer, do Hidden Valley twice (from point 15, just go back to point 13)
Penhydd: [url] http://www.npt.gov.uk/pdf/Afan%20Penhydd%20A1%20Mt%20Bk%20panel%202008.pdf [/url]
[url] http://www.npt.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=347 [/url]
I'd say a full sus XC bike would be fine, just drop the saddle for the steep bit. But have a look on YouTube at some of the helmet cam footage of the Black Run and see what you think.
cheers guys.what routes would most people do if there for a day?,can you do two easily or best to take one of the larger.im not keen on doing the really long ones as i may be there on my own and dont wanna have a problem a real long way out or get knackered in the middle of nowhere..
Really depends how fit you are. One in a day if you're not fit, two for most and three for the fitter people (that's out of White's, The Wall and Penhydd. IMO Skyline's not worth the extra distance and I'd rather do two of the other trails instead).
I was there a week ago and we did W2 (the Wall plus White's Level) for a day which was reasonably tough but a good day with plenty of time (and a stop for lunch at the excellent visitor centre at Glycorrwg). It's also relatively easy to cut short if you need to.
Try going from the top centre and do Whites and then turn down the valley on the disused railway line and do the Wall as well and then just ride back up the railway line at the end.
Its fine for a rider of even limited skill.
I would not recommend the black to a beginner; that would be irresponsible. The whites climb is probably the most tech part of the ride.
I like to ride W2 from glyncorrwg with penhydd in the middle. Dont be put off by people saying its only for beginners, it is really fun and varied. I enjoy this route a lot more than skyline.
They're all good, but Skyline has way too much fireroad to make it worthwhile imo. White's is my favourite - you could do the Wall too, or do W2 which joins the two together (which a lunch break at the centre you don't start/finish from). I like Penhydd as it's quite different to the others though, so I'd probably do White's and Penhydd.
Having said that, we normally do White's stop at the centre for some food and never leave! (the potions are very big and they have a bar!)
Whatever you do though, they're great trails and I'm sure you'll enjoy them!
I've only ridden Penhydd and Whites but thought they were both great. Nothing too technical - the sort of trail that relative beginners can do slowly and be fine with or more experienced riders can hoon along and have a great time. I had been somewhat put off by reports of how "technical" it was but I guess it all depends on what you are used to. Technical compared to riding round the edge of a field, yes, but otherwise no.
where do you leave your bike when having lunch.is it a secure place?
No, nowhere's secure. Keep your bikes in view at all times. Don't assume cars are safe either.
"odannyboy - Member
where do you leave your bike when having lunch.is it a secure place?"
Be careful where you leave our bike. Lots of issues recently with theft from cars and overnight at the campsite.
There is an upstairs balcony in view of the cafe.
I rode W2 the week before last and would strongly recommend it for a good half-day (or full day if you take it easy) ride.
The only bit you might want to watch for is the final little descent from the black run on White's Level, which is steeper gnarlier than anything else on the route (but still ace).
The quality of the riding, on White's particularly, is just sensational.