I'm off to Antur Stiniog in December and am wondering what to expect. I've been trail riding for about 18 months but never done anything classed as downhill.
My 'trail CV' is mainly the Surrey Hills (Holmbury, Pitch and Winterfold) and frequent visits to other trail centres - CyB, Afan, 7Stanes mainly.
Our bikes have 120mm/27.5 and 130mm/29 - I assume not the best tools for the job but I hope will be adequate to have some fun.
On the face of it, will we be out of our depth and hate the experience? (Okay, hard for you to comment, but if you were in our shoes IYSWIM.)
Apologies if this has been done before. I did a search but most of the responses appeared, at a cursory glance, to be about other riding/trail centres with a brief mention about AS.
TIA.
ive seen folk strapping their short travel bikes back on the car roof after one run! ive also seen people having tons of fun on hardtails. i think it'll be a shock to the system at first, stinky blues are not trail centre blues! but they are immense fun. I always start at the top of a blue and then pick up the red or black lower down so you get a much longer run.
jaffejofferive seen folk strapping their short travel bikes back on the car roof after one run! ive also seen people having tons of fun on hardtails. i think it'll be a shock to the system at first, stinky blues are not trail centre blues! but they are immense fun. I always start at the top of a blue and then pick up the red or black lower down so you get a much longer run.
Thanks mate, the trail grading is an issue. We enjoy the reds and blacks at CyB and Glentress and cope well enough so I'm hoping that we should be able to get ourselves to the bottom of the "stinky blues" without needing a paramedic or taking an early bath.
Learn to love rocks. Lots and lots of rocks! The blues, and for the most part the reds, are all rideable. There are a couple of bigger drops that could worry you, but the good thing is, you keep running at it until you nail it. Take it easy on the first few runs, then gradually get faster/bigger as the day goes on.
It's a brilliantly run place, it must be said. Oh, and the breakfast baps at the cafe are epic. Up there with the stuff Luffy used to churn out at Glyncorrwg.
Absolutely brilliant place and all but the blacks should be rideable on pretty much anything.
[i][whops it out.][/i]
I rode two days on a fully rigid, second day with a cracked rib.
[i][zip ][/i]
You'll be fine as said plenty of rocks (hence cracked rib) take plenty of spare tubes or inflator if tubeless, pinch flats galore.
Have smashed my way down many a time on my old trusty Evil Sov hardtail.
Its brutal on hardtail back wheels depending on how you ride and aluminium/carbon downtubes take a battering from rocks being spat out.
The biggest factor is the weather-when its grim.....its proper grim.
If its raining take googles.
Fit dual ply tyres if you can, sticky rubber even better. As said, it is rocky, so pack tubes if you use them.
It's great fun and you'll be flying by the end of the day, whatever bike you ride.
Ride the first blue to the left, see how you get on.
Try the next blue along. You'll probably he fine (one rock garden may stop you for a look first run).
If that's ok have a look at the red. There are some pretty big features so if they are too much just repeat the blues, you'll have fun.
From the stupid steep rock drop (which you can bypass) thev last part of the black is big jumpy fun. Big doubles though so roll them if they are too much
Take a full face if you want to do the blacks. I had fun all day doing the Blue and Reds and few months ago. The first time you come to some of the rock gardens they look intimidating, but they are all roll-able, and once you've got the line, you can do them them faster and faster.
It's a fun but tiring day!
I went there han solo a couple of weeks ago for the first time. As above, its a shock to the system. I took my 160mm enduro bike, FF helmet, elbow and knee pads.
You should be fine, however I'd strongly advise a FF if possible. Its all rock.
Do the blue a couple of times first. Get a feel for the place, then you can start to mix it up a bit. I ran dual ply tyres at 25psi and didn't have a single puncture all day. Seen loads with single ply get punctures all day. So take tubes 🙂
Also be prepared for their 'German efficiency' uplift. When you finish a run, a bus will probably be there waiting with open arms. I managed 25 runs....I didnt stop except for lunch 😆
The blue on the left, as referenced above......
Don't go full gnartard right from the drop off point. There's a climb! 🙂
Get some decent tyres and you're good to go. It gets smoother the faster you go, you learn to gap over the rough bits.
Speed and armour are your friends 😆
Been a few times now...here's my 2 p's worth!
Forget usual trail centre grades. Stick to the blue to start and build up. Even the red had some really nasty bits if your not expecting it. Esp the drop and quick left turn near the start! I found the black seriously hard in places!
Be very careful if it's windy. I had a nasty off not long ago after being blown sideways trying to land a small jump. That was on the red but the blue can be quite fast and jumpy so take care in the wind!
Take time to watch the good guys and ask questions! Some seriously good riders there, interesting to watch their lines.
Consider a full facer. Only takes one off to make that CRC bargain even more of a bargain... (trust me, I found out not long ago!)
Enjoy it! Just hang back after being dropped off at the top. Let the strava kings get off then you can ride down at your own pace.
It's a great set up with some great guys running it. Bout time I got back over for another spin!
Take a full face if you want to do the blacks.
When we went the guy gave us the safety warnings when we signed on.
"You'll need a fullface lid if you want to ride the black runs."
Closely followed by "Of course there'll be no one up there to stop you if you don't have a fullface" 😀
Set the scene for the rest of the day. Great fun with friendly folks.
If you are not confident then take knee and elbow pads and ff helmet.
Every time I've been someone has fallen and broken a collar bone. Usually because they've been pushing their limits getting carried away. Take extra care if it's wet.
As above its all rollable so on your first run let the others go first and just work your way down until you know what you are expecting. I found the very last bit with the rocks the hardest bit.
If you are not confident then take[s] knee and elbow pads and ff helmet.[/s] it easy
Armour won't make you Steve Peat. You are not Steve Peat. Repeat after me, "I am not Steve Peat".
All the armour in the world won't save you if you ride like a dick. As others have said, work your way in to it. Take it easy. Develop. And, most importantly, ENJOY YOURSELF!
This thread has reminded me I need to go. And I've got a few days free next week,..
This thread has whetted my appetite, I'm there on Saturday....on a HT as it happens, will film the carnage for every time this thread pops up!
I nailed it on my Hardtail 4 weeks ago - when I say 'nailed' I mean I got a bit over confident on one of the reds and went sideways onto a slab of rock. I'm typing this from my laptop at home where I've been for the last 4 weeks nursing a broken collar bone. 4 weeks I've been here! Did I mention I've been here for 4 Weeks? 😯
Be careful out there, kids 😕
I went at the end of September.
Watch out for the wind, it really does throw you off line.
Take spare tyres. One rider in our group ripped his nearly brand new spesh 27.5 butcher and they only stocked 26" tyres in the shop. Borrowed one from another in the group and then ripped that and had to buy a new one at the shop at CYB.
And be careful, the blue there is nothing like the blue at CYB etc.
One lad had an off while we were there, thinking he would be "OK" on a hardtail.
Ended up sliding off a rock and breaking his collar bone.
He is a bit accident prone though and last time in the alps managed to break his arm.
On the upside, it was quite nice scenery on the drive to Bangor to take him to A&E.
On the upside, it was quite nice scenery on the drive to Bangor to take him to A&E.
Did you make him wait until the uplift had closed? 🙂
I'm surprised nobody has said be careful; its addictive! Seriously, if you've only ever done trail riding before, be prepared to be blown away by the lure of uplift riding.
I'd suggest a gentle warm up on the excellent pump track to get yourself - and your bike - dialled in. You'll want to run higher than normal pressures to avoid pinch flats, which in itself will make your bike handle differently, especially on the unique Antur surface. You may also want to tweak your suspension settings.
Then start on the blues; everything is roll-able. Depending how you get on, aim for the red after lunch - they've added a new beginning right from the uplift drop off which is much tamer than the original red beginning which I'd say is as tough as anything on black powder.
If you feel confident enough then definitely have a go at black powder as the sense of achievement at having a crack is immense.
Ride within your limits and you'll be fine but it is the kind of place that asks you to stand up to it - its open, fast, rocky and unforgiving but riding loose but confident is the best way to get down in one piece.
Oh and don't for one second think that GoPro vids will give you any sense of how steep it is in parts (red & black). They don't!
Enjoy.
Wow - thanks for the quick responses folks, they're greatly appreciated. 🙂
From reading the above, it seems that AS is a bit of a bike and body breaker if it all goes Pete Tong.
I generally prefer rocks to roots (Cain at CyB is one of my favourite trails) as roots are always conspiring to have you off.
Can't speak for my mates but I'm much more comfortable with wheels on the floor. Don't mind kickers/singles or table tops but really not keen on gaps/doubles - the thought of nose-diving into the knuckle always enters my head at the wrong moment. Also, nearly all the drops I've encountered thus far are roll-able (which is fine and fun to me).
Thanks again for your collective help, it's appreciated. 🙂
It can break your bike even if you don't crash.
If you've got any 2-ply tyres I'd strongly advise fitting them. And make sure all your bolts are tight.
Have fun.
Whats it like vs BPW? More open and rocky I'm guessing... How many runs are people getting in a day there?
12 runs a day seems about average. only been on quiet days tho.
nedrapier - Member
On the upside, it was quite nice scenery on the drive to Bangor to take him to A&E.
Did you make him wait until the uplift had closed?
No, I tried to delay setting off to A&E until it closed but the injured party was moaning a bit about something not feeling right etc etc..
We went on a Friday and there was little or no queing for uplift vans, carpark quite empty.
When I went back on sunday to collect the mate's bike, the place was rammed so I'd assume that would lead to waits for the vans and presumably less runs.
More vans run on busy days. Even when really busy it's quite efficient. and the tarmac road all the way to the top has made it much smoother and faster
Love the place.
In my [i]opinion[/i] you need to go up one grade from trail centres for BPW and two for Antur Stiniog, eg;
Antur Blue = BPW Red = trail centre Black
Having only been there in August, I can't begin to image how bleak it could be in December!
Was there on Sunday, first time, great place. Was expecting the blues/reds to be more like BPW but they certainly weren't.
There was all sorts of bikes there so don't let that put you off.
Uplift was good, apart from having a newish driver who did seem to struggle. There were periods a big group was waiting and then only one bus would show up, which was disappointing, but more often than not there was a bus with spaces waiting as soon as you hit the finish. Managed over 10 runs.
Will be going back for sure.
DHF and DHR recommended
much tamer than the original red beginning which I'd say is as tough as anything on black powder
The original being the steep right hand loose/rocky bit into a left hand berm?
Rode there last winter, blues mostly with a couple of goes on the red (hardtail) Should have had a bash at black powder, by the sound of things?
"The original being the steep right hand loose/rocky bit into a left hand berm?"
Yup - ride "up" from the drop point to where the blues start - the red is on your right. Starts flat, step down, drops into a steep, loose couple of switchbacks. The new beginning is much easier, but flowing and fun.
Black Powder is worth a go - first run you might need to dismount as there are a few places where entry line is key. Generally though, especially after a few runs and you can commit more, its a blast. I've raced (half way) down it, in the pouring rain, with a puncture. Not so much of a blast!
Its always worth banking on the weather being foul - anything else is a bonus!
Its always worth banking on the weather being foul - anything else is a bonus!
Yup, I rode there in mid May day and what started out as overcast and utterly grim (that open slate mine next door looks like Mordoor from LOTR...) became a stinkingly hot, dusty, wish I wasn't wearing pads kinda day.
Love the place, would recommend it to anyone. Watching the locals hit the blacks was an eye opener, I hadn't even noticed some of the lines they were taking. Was a proper learning day on the bike and TBH reignited a bit of love for my MTB.
If you've got until December you might want to start hitting the gym as well, it's a very physical track.
Me and a few mates went on the 20th July and the weather was absolutely awful; wet, windy, cold, foggy - everything except sunny! As mentioned before, the wind makes things tricky - a sudden gust in the face or from the side has you off line in an instant, and there's plenty of rock waiting for you if you hit the deck. I didn't find it too bad grip wise, only once did I have a slippy moment on a slate slab. We had a nice little route going by the end, but ultimately I found it a bit repetetive (as I don't have the skill set to go BIG!). We managed 11 runs before we got sick of being pissed wet through and cold 🙂
Ultimately, it should be viewed as a place to hone your skills, NOT a trail centre.
July in Wales 🙂
[img] http://bit.ly/1Mqz2qs [/img]
chakaping - MemberIf you've got until December you might want to start hitting the gym as well, it's a very physical track.
I'd rather do the black runs in the nuddy with no pads in the pissing rain than go to the gym. 🙁
Coincidentally, another well-known MTB magazine did an article this month on Antur Stiniog. Haven't read it yet but one of the headlines says:
"Antur is more like a bike park than a trail centre and the gradings are adjusted accordingly."
The start of the red has been changed? Brilliant. I hated that steep bendy super loose bit, I usually just ended up on my side on it.
I was with Woody2000 in July, and enjoyed/endured my day there. The blue seemed fun at first but seemed a bit dull after riding the red. We settled on varying our start between the blues and reds before hitting the red then finishing with the black.
I had a great day but rain/drizzle didn't help in the morning, neither did high/head winds after me dinner...
All in all, I prefer the high speeds of BPW, shame its even further away from Yorkshire.
30 mins after leaving AS, the sun came out 🙂
All in all, I prefer the high speeds of BPW,
BPW is a hoot, I agree. But, I just like the variety of it all! Last trip up to North Wales was Antur Stiniog on the Friday, Snowdon on the Saturday and then CYB on the Sunday. Bike Park, natural epic and trail centre playground in a weekend. Fun, fun, fun, fun!
Antur's a great day out, and a real challenge. More so than other uplift/DH venues like FOD And Cwm Carn, IMO, and certainly more of a challenge than almost all of BPW.
But.....we have all that variety and all that choice! Good, isn't it?
Assuming people are meaning the jump line from the uplift drop off point, as the 'new start to the red', which links with the red just after the rocky bit? I preferred the rocky start if I'm honest.
I need to go again soon too. Amazing place.
I struggle with the weather. Been twice this year and it's rained both times. It even rains there when it's dry just 5 miles up the road. It was as bad there in June as it was in February. I've seen photographs of other people's dry runs... they do happen 🙂
On our first visit we worked through the Blues to Reds and walked / rode Black Powder. At our next visit we warmed up on the Blue then did the Red and rode Black Powder. It's definitely advisable to work up to stuff.
It's 160mm FS skills compensation for me at Antur!
The Blue's are super fun and fast - keep LEFT to stay on the Blue. Right splits go up a grade in difficulty. Everything is rollable on the Blue for sure. Some of the right hand splits on the Blue are Red graded. Just stop to look before you leap.
Being able to manual off drop offs and land both wheels at the same time is a necessary skill on Wild Cart (Red) or you risk going OTB by nose diving. Some drops have chicken lines, some don't.
I've managed to do fine so far on Black Powder in the wet. I came off on the Red in June though. Front washout after a set of drops then came off on the angled flat slates in the next section. I'd done it twice that day without a hitch in the same horrible conditions so not sure what I did differently that time. Did it again fine afterwards too.
Luckily FF and RaceFace D30 knee pads. Smashed my knee on a rock and didn't feel a thing. Got up and rode off to enjoy the rest of the day. Would have definitely been in A&E without decent pads. Only damage was a ripped glove and my pride.
Tough place in misty and wet conditions.
There is nowhere good to come off at Antur so pad up if you can.
I've been to Bikepark Wales too. Antur Blue is harder than any BPW Red IMO. It's unfair to say Antur Red = BPW Black because BPW has Blacks that range from about Antur Red level right up to Antur Black Powder and probably beyond.
I haven't done Antur Y Du yet (might have a go next time if it's dry!) and I didn't do Fifty Shades of Black at BPW... again another uplift in August this year that was an absolutely fowl day.
The uplift at Antur is about 3 times more efficient than BPW! It is a truly awful long uplift at BPW. We rode up quicker. No joke.
I'm 3 from 3 miserable uplifts this year... if I book an uplift it is guaranteed to rain and be miserable.
I shall post my future uplift dates on STW so that you know when not to book 🙂
