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2 days too late for our trip to north wales, rode penmachno instead, what an utterly joyless trail, the only place i've been where you climb on singletrack to descend on fire roads, only 1.5 of the 20 miles are enjoyable.
utterly joyless trail
+1, grim, rode it in the wet and never been so miserable
rode penmachno instead, what an utterly joyless trail, the only place i've been where you climb on singletrack to descend on fire roads, only 1.5 of the 20 miles are enjoyable.
Really? Penmachno is one of my favourite trails despite breaking my collarbone last time out, super rocky, remote natural feeling and 90% singletrack.
Your description sounds more like Marin.
funkybaj - Member
rode penmachno instead, what an utterly joyless trail, the only place i've been where you climb on singletrack to descend on fire roads, only 1.5 of the 20 miles are enjoyable.
Really? Penmachno is one of my favourite trails despite breaking my collarbone last time out, super rocky, remote natural feeling and 90% singletrack.Your description sounds more like Marin.
This. I love Penmachno (and hate fire roads!), I don't recall any fire road descents. It is very, very wet 90% of the time but I think its a great trail.
super rocky to the point of it getting tiresome was my feeling, never ridden a trail with so little reward for the climbing (except cwmcarn), there were 2 decent sections about a third of the way in and a couple of fun bits near the end but the rest was just lots of riding over rocks and through puddles.
I'm guessing you must have missed one of the later descents? There's a right turn later on easily not noticed. One of my fave trails - bizarrely for the climbing to descending ratio!
One of my fave trails - bizarrely for the climbing to descending ratio!
Exactly, it feels like you barely spend any time climbing to me, almost like a trick of the mind
Compared with Cli-machx for example where it feels an absolute chore climbing to the top.
Rode llandegla today, 18th, 2 Black runs closed even though website says all trails open. Nice burger in the cafe though.
Fire road descents at Penmachno? Afraid not, dude. You got lost.
http://www.oneplanetadventure.com/2013/04/18/mother-nature-strikes-again/ Curses, it seems Mother Nature is determined that I shouldn't ride Llandegla...
youll love it when its open again, if you havent done it already.
It's quite local to me and I've been dozens of times but not for about 4 years and after rebuilding the GT I'm champing at the bit to get back into the saddle.
We were at Penmachno on Saturday - it was great (if a little wet 😆 ). We only ever stick to loop 1, but we spoke to many who had had a miserable time riding loop 2 as well. When we were back at the car there was a very unhappy Welshman literally bellowing "I AM NEVER BLEEPING COMING BACK HERE EVER AGAIN". It was pretty funny.
It's one of my favourite trails.
Did Penmachno 3 years back, loved the remote, exposed nature of it, though it wasnt so bad, weather wise. A trail review in a bike mag described Llandegla as a warm bath, how right they are, well worth the journey from Manchester. Not on a bike, i hasten to add.
Exactly, it feels like you barely spend any time climbing to me, almost like a trick of the mind
Nail on head. If you like technical traverses then it's a great trail. If you prefer your trails to be more along the lines of long up followed by long down reward then look elsewhere.
Trying to think of the long fireroad descents at Penmachno, there are a couple of very short bits linking the good singletrack at the end, but can't think of any more. Did you get lost????
One of my favourite trails. http://app.strava.com/activities/5742618
You have the first climb then 3 descents before the split. Loop 2 is more of a traverse but still rewarding, back to loop 1 Traverse the hill then fireroad climb for the 3 great sections to finish.
Did you find these bits?
I would rather ride the Marin in the rain than penmachno in the dry.
Did it a few times a couple of years ago. Bored. Went back by myself to try it again. Still didn't like it.
The Marin is far superior I think.
Mountainbikers in Horses for Courses shock!
"rocks aren't everybody's cup of tea" a spokesman said....... 😀
By the way, I must be weird 'cos I ride rocks round here a lot, love riding rocks in Wales, but have had a lot of fun not riding on rocks if I get a chance. 8)