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This is my first post and probably too long and boring for most but there is a genuine question in all this blurb which if you can give me your opinion on I would be grateful.
So after living in the South East of England for a decade I moved to North Wales last year and discovered hills, mountains and the true nature of mountain biking. It really has took me about a year of riding around local fitness routes and trails to find my legs and update my riding skill-set but I am happier with my abilities now than I have ever been. Marin and Penmachno have become my local trail centres and to be honest I am in heaven when riding either and I ride them a lot.
My question though (at last) is how do they compare to Llandegla and CYB? In terms of technical ability, climbs and downhill and in overall fun factor for the average rider, how different are they to what I have spent the last year riding?
Obviously I have looked on the web and stuff and obviously I am just going to go there and ride them this summer anyway but I figured some well rounded opinion would be of value.
I enjoy long climbs that are not too technical, wonderful penmachno style singletrack and am not keen on riding flat out downhill, I enjoy living to ride the next climb.
If you have read all this and can contribute I thank you in advance.
both will be drier than Penmachno for a start...
If you're comfy on both those, you'll have no worries. CYB is a bit rockier, but only because some of the tracks have been reinforced a bit to make them wear out less, and if you've ever wondered where all the scousers go to go mountain biking...wonder no more and spend a day at Llandegla...
Llandegla's more like a BMX track; far less rocky with a smooth surface in comparison to what you know. It's fun, fast and and flowing, hardly technical at all although there are some "black" bits which are optional. The climbs are fine; most of the height gained early on by a forest track.
CYB has a mix of stuff. Only 20 minutes from Penmachno in the car, so go and ride it! You'll be fine. Anything difficult on trail centres tends to come with a warning, either with obvious signs or with trail features to make you slow down.
Don't forget to ride some mountains, too 😉
Umm... why not just go ride them and find out? They're not that far away.
Thanks guys, Llandegla sounds like the Cannock chase of NW.
I tell ya Simon I have tried a fair few adventure rides round here, My map reading skills are sub par and my trail seeking compass seems to land me in trouble, being told off by dog walkers etc.
My local rides need improving vastly when not on the road, I have spent the last few months avoiding my little fitness ride down the Ogwen Valley due to 2 dogs in a remote house that are down right dangerous, seriously. According to said owner of dogs they "dont like the colour of my bike"...hmmmm
Get yourself a GPS or use your phone. It opens up a whole lot of riding. Most people are happy to share a GPX of their favourite ride all you have to do is follow the line.
Trail centers don't vary too much, they are all a little bit sanitised. You can't beat a big mountain adventure for reward be sure to plan a pub near the finish too.
If Penmachno and CYB aren't that far away and you fancy something different get up onto and around the Conwy mountains. There are some great bits on the way over to Rowen, back up past the YHA, up the Drum, back over the tops of Penmaenmawr etc..
There are great views, not so tough climbs, fast grassy swoopy and rough rocky descents, some nice bits of ST threading through the heather, generally a good mix of most things and its on your doorstep.
Not been told off by anyone round there yet, everyone has been nice as pie. Some stuff isn't on the map so its hard to get told off when there's no classification 😉
Bikemaps do a classic loop map - http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/wales-mtb/conwy-mountain-biking.htm
the true nature of mountain biking
Don't be silly. There's no one true MTBing.
if you've ever wondered where all the scousers go to go mountain biking...wonder no more and spend a day at Llandegla...
There's a sub-set of natives from North Wales that have a scouse inflection to their accent. NEVER point that out to them though as they seem to be ear-blind to it and take great offence if you ask if they're from Liverpool.
The comparison twixt Cannock & Degla is a fair one and just as scousers go to Degla brummies & yam yams populate Cannock. Not that I'm accent prejudice of course 😉
People (that may or may not have accents) use their nearest local trail centre - shocker!
IMO the true nature of mountain biking isn't trail centres. It sould seem a crime to me to live in North Wales and not spend most of my time in the moutains with a map
They're handy in the winter or after a long wet spell to save damaging the natural stuff though!!
Trail centres are fun. Mountains are fun. Forests are fun. It's all fun.
I'm a North Wales local, so hopefully fairly qualified to add my tenpenneths worth.
If you enjoy the Marin and Penmachno and dont find either of them on the edge of your ability then none of the trails at Coed Y Brenin should be too much for you. I think in terms of technicality CYB Tarw Du and Beast are probably one small step up in technicality over the Marin, and only in some places (Cain and Abel perhaps) but if you are riding the likes of Penmachno at speed then its certainly not going to be too much of a step up. Plus its absolutely ace, the facilities the standard of the trails, the routes, the views, it just never disappoints. I just love it there. Llandegla erm, its ok, its very different as already pointed out. I'd say its a step down in technicality over Penmachno. Its just a lot of jumps and berms really. Its nonetheless great fun, but its completely different to the Marin, Penmachno and CYB. We go for a quick blast round occassionally on a summers evening just for a quick fix of mid week silliness and a pint afterwards. When you get your bearings better there is a whole world of brilliant natural trails all around the Marin area and others.
But you really wont be disappointed at CYB.
Everyone has different taste granted..
I've ridden both llandegla and Cannock chase in the last month for the first time.
Llandegla every time for me over cannock.
Downhill sections past the Snowdon view point were spot on..
Thanks for all the replies, appreciate the info - including the nudges to ride the natural stuff way more than I do.
I have spent a year riding the trail centres and some local routes to become a better rider, on my first jaunts out into the local hills and mountains I nearly collapsed a few times from asthma attacks so I have just been being careful really.
I should have mentioned the asthma thing to be honest because improving my fitness and strength has helped dramatically and the asthma plays a big part in my ride choices.