Hi all,
Been an absolute age since i've ridden Coedy, and would like to get back there this weekend.
There's a possiblility that we'll be riding with someone whos riding experience is limited, and we don't want that person to feel out of their depth, so nothing massively tech (No drops etc, or if there are, they need to be rollable).
[u]So the question[/u] - Is the MBR suitable for someone whos riding experience is limited? is everything rollable? Everything OK there? (I can imagine that as it's a trail centre, it'll be OK)
Distance is no problem, as we often do laps of llandegla red with a touch of the blacks.
Thanks!
Rollable? Yes. Only potential issue is the roll out from the centre, which has a few troublesome bits for beginners!
TBF there's a couple of steep rocky bits they may struggle with, but bike on the shoulder is a good technique for them on those sections. MBR is (still) my favorite trail at CyB.
I think it's quite a bumpy trail for inexperienced riders but they will be ok if you keep a close eye on them and keep things relaxed. Take some time to session tricky sections with them.
But whatever you do don't use the word 'session' for they will undoubtedly fall about laughing at you!
You'd be far better taking a beginner on the Red Bull.
my wife rode Afan Penhydd, Wall and Whites Level. These were her first time offroad and she breezed round them at a fair old lick, to my surprise.
Point being that pretty much any trail is rideable by a beginner with the right amount of confidence and mindset.
You'd be far better taking a beginner on the Red Bull.
Out of date troll of the week?
Everything is rollable but I'm not sure I'd take a beginner around it as there are quite a bit of steep rocky sections there. Penmachno loop 1 or Marin??
I'd say MBR would be fine. There are some tricky uphill bits but they aren't long and no effort to push up. I don't think that there's anything that would be of issue going down, I find it's one of those trails that's as hard as you want to make it.
MBR is graded black. Dragons back is 50% longer and graded red.
My 12yo son was fine on both. It can't be that tough - I mean you wouldn't let a kid beat you would you?
Was thinking that.. Pretty sure last time i was there it was a red grade.
Out of date troll of the week?
🙄
Fwiw there are 2 short trails there now: the tempter and quick red (I forget the welsh names) why not try your pal out on those, that's wot I did with my kid on his 1st trip. That way the n00b gets to hit each one feeling strong and the opportunity of a brew and cake between.
Hth
So the question - Is the MBR suitable for someone whos riding experience is limited?
Yep, definitely the best choice at CyB for a less-experienced rider IMO.
My occassional MTBing pal really loved it. It's got great rocky bits, flows nicely, is fun whether ridden fast or slow and has less fire road slog than the other routes.
Or just drag him round the Beast anyway, after all you;re going a long way and you deserve a nice long ride.
Fwiw there are 2 short trails there now: the tempter and quick red (I forget the welsh names) why not try your pal out on those, that's wot I did with my kid on his 1st trip. That way the n00b gets to hit each one feeling strong and the opportunity of a brew and cake between.Hth
+1
I suggest doing the Cyflym Coch red route first and on return to the trail centre finish on the qualifier section for the MBR.
Then have a coffee and cake and see how your mate feels about doing the MBR.
I personally wouldn't go to CYB again.
Penmachno yes. CYB no.
"Point being that pretty much any trail is rideable by a beginner with the right amount of confidence and mindset."
Spot on.
With the mbr the very 1st section is designed to show people what the trail is like, ie how hard it can be. In fact its generally less tricky than the 1st section. Make that point clear, otherwise they might freak a bit.
Take your time, don't let people que behind you, this only adds pressure. Ride with your man behind a good steady rider, they can follow lines etc.
And have fun.
Its Ok, however I think the bit they'll struggle with is at the start, and then one of the few remaining original bits in the first 1/3 of the outward leg - Cain has a nice little bit at the end that may throw their confidence.
If they're up for it and not intimidated they should be fine.
I personally wouldn't go to CYB again.
+1
Most of it felt very 'fake' when I was there last summer.
🙄
Yeah, I only ride freshly cooled lava these days, everything else is too contrived...
Warm them up on the short purple trail first - can't remember what it's called, but contains the 'Dreamtime' singletrack section which is an absolute hoot. The rock garden-type bits on the MBR might throw a beginner, but it's otherwise fine. Try the Monkey trail at Cannock if it's nearer to you - IMO more fun than Llandegla red/black and Coed-y MBR...
I remember mbr having some fairly tight rocky bits earlyish on, and the woodsy/rooty descent down to the bridge about half way has potentional to be hairy. Saw a couple of people over the bars while I waited for another in my group to fix a puncture at the bottom
Though the start/end are the same, I'd think dragons back could be better, though with certain shortcuts to keep the distance/fireroads down, though with some potentially killer ups, my mum can ride both so ..
from here:
[url=]the trail map[/url]
I'd go striaght up the road from Big Dug to Hermon (omitting Beefy)
Up the road again after Hermon taking the 3rd fireroad after the cafe (rather than the 1st) and picking back up at Gomez (omitting a loose uphill - or so I'm told thats what it entails)
freshly cooled lava
Cooled?
Wimp.
JP only rides on live MOD firing ranges 😉
And fresh lava. 🙂
We took an absolute beginner - hadn't even cycled in 5 years - around Coed-y-Brenin. Started with Cyflym Coch to get his eye in, then exchanged his 900 year old bike with knackered forks for a rental bike before tackling MBR.
He had no problems whatsoever; he did walk a couple of small sections and his lungs were hanging out of his nose on the climbs though!
Did the Beast the following day with no problems.