[Closed] Machynlleth as a base. What rides ?

Those are great rides for getting away from it all. Not techy but you do feel miles from anywhere and anyone. There is also the climachX to the north which is a bit more of a trail centre run. The final descent is ace. There is also stuff in the Dyfi forest including the Atherton's place. Depends on what you fancy but it's a great place surrounded by decent riding

Climachx is good especially the last bit. Nant yr Arian is OK, went with my son last year but it wasn't particularly memorable tbh, so wouldn't go out of my way to go back. Atherton bike park? Although it looks a bit intimidating for mere mortals!

Nant yr Arian is OK, went with my son last year but it wasn’t particularly memorable tbh, so wouldn’t go out of my way to go back.

Each to their own but I'd say it's my favourite Welsh trail centre. Love the riding there. Just feels so remote. There was a fair bit closed last year, though.

I really liked Nant yr Arian - got a nice natural feel to it. Some of the Mach stuff is great too. Is it the Climachx with the bonkers rocky sections?

Each to their own but I’d say it’s my favourite Welsh trail centre. Love the riding there. Just feels so remote. There was a fair bit closed last year, though.

It was OK, the scenery was really nice but the trails seemed a bit tame. I prefer stuff further North like Gwydir Mawr or Coed y Brennin or Afan in the south. As you say though, each to their own.

You've got Cadair idris mountain starting just over the hill in Abergynolwyn. Not very techy but a good half day out. You could probably cycle over through the forest, that'd be cool. There's an old abandoned mine in the hills above Abergynolwyn.

Coed y Brennin

For me - CYB felt like it was just rocks and boulders placed everywhere on the trail for the sake of it without much thought in places, much preferred Nant Y Arian, but each to their own!

The Marin trail is V good, mix of flowy and tech, and also within hitting distance of Mach (although it’s changed names now).

There's plenty to explore in the woods around the Climachx.

Trail forks is good for there.

Worth venturing out further than the marked trail.

Make your way to Dinas Mawddwy (Strava routes suggests going via Corris), up the iconic Bwlch Y Groes climb, descend to Bala Lake and ride up the southern side, then up Hirnant Pass back to Lake Vernwy (maybe do a lap) before heading back to base.

Pont Scethin route.

Mawddach Trail.

Thanks for all the advice. We normally go to coed y brenin most years. And it's probably my favourite or one of them. We have done Nant y Arian a few years ago and I loved it. Seemed to have a good mix of feeling out there and also some fun trail centre type mixes.
We also did penmanchno many moons ago and I thought that was good.
Climach trail we did last year I think and was okay untill the final run back down that was unbelievably fun.
Watched a video on the Mach 3 loop and the guy basically said it's a lot of climbing for not much reward

Mach to Nant yr arian then back loop

I've done quite a few variations of this and it's quite a good day out, some proper middle of nowhere feeling moments and a couple of really fun descents. Depending on loop it can be a big ride though.

Don't go to the dyfi forest and only ride the climachx. Park in the usual spot but take a look on strava, there's tons of great riding in that area alone. When we go we usually only do 1 downhill segment of the climachx - the final descent.

If you've got the cash to spare hire this guy for a day? for the off the beaten path dfyi rides.
http://wheelism.co.uk/

First time I rode there was 1994 with a MBUK route that went all around Machynlleth over the tops of the mountains. It was wild and freezing, but really varied riding. Been going back ever since as there is so much to go at around there.
Machynlleth is about as cultured and progressive as a small Welsh town can be and has plenty of character to enjoy.

TransCambrian finishes at Dovey Junction. You can ride up to Staylittle and then do the final section