[Closed] My first trail centre ride

we now get to observe how long it takes for you to decide that natural is the only way, or even better take to the road.

Well done! When were you there aleigh? I would have joined you. Hope to get up there a couple of times in the next week or two while I'm off work.

Trail centres ppft!

Natural is where it's at, i've never had a bad off at a trail centre, too smooth....

Well done Aleigh, glad you enjoyed.

Glad you enjoyed it Aleigh!

The best thing about my local trail centre (Grizedale) is it keeps everyone off the natural trails!! 😉

Hello 🙂

Nice, wasn't it! The thing I like about trail centres is that they can be ridden with confidence that everything will be rollable. Granted, they might be a bit cheeseburger compared to a braised fillet steak natural ride, but I like to see them as the type of burger you'd get in a nice restaurant 😉

Is Grizedale rubbish then FoxyChick?

Is Grizedale rubbish then FoxyChick?

The NFT is a bit pants, but Grizedale is stuffed with excellent trails, and I keep coming across new bits to add to the interest :o)

Glad you enjoyed your day [b]aleigh[/b]:-)

I didn't mean Grizedale itself...more the NFT.

It seems to attract huge amounts of Mtbers which leaves the natural trails free!!
Trail centres have their uses. We are riding them loads at the moment as the kids can ride them. BUT I much prefer natural stuff tbh.

Great places to develop skills without such a high risk.
Same as BMX tracks.

I guess having natural on my doorstep compared to the 45/60min drive to a trail centre will bias my opinions.

True Sharki, although the Quantocks does feel like a trail centre to me to be honest, in that it has a huge amount of singletrack that can be easily linked. My local riding isn't like that, so I enjoy it when I get to do it.

Well done Aleigh! Its great fun and so close to you. Most annoyed I couldnt make it. I will be going in May though 😀

Thanks everyone! Shame you couldn't make it Rich but I'm sure we'll be going again soon. Mamadirt - I went today, it was a last minute thing. We'll have to get a ride sorted for around there next I reckon 8)

Cwmcarn vs the Q's, well there's no comparison (imo of course). It's nice to be able to have the variety and today has been a real eyeopener. Dare I say it, it was easier than I expected, only because I'd allowed myself to think the worst! Hard work all the same mind yet I was pleasantly surprised 😆

Aleigh...you and c_g must get up to Kirroughtree and do the red!
In fact I'll join you!
'Tis the best trail centre experience..in my very humble opinion of course!! 8)

Sounds amazing! I'll see what I can do 😀

In fact aleigh...we can stay at a B&B I know in Dumfries, hit the town and then ride the next day! 8)

Now that sounds like a plan! Can we factor in recovery time for the hangover? 😉 😆

Yes, no probs..I reckon Dumfries is far enough from the nearest motorway service station! 😉

😳

lol

That was the best thread ever!! 8)

Well there's always one that ends up keeping people entertained by default I guess! 😆

Well done Aleigh! Did they hear you shrieking across the Severn then 😆

Hey FoxyChick - one condition though, you gotta bring your IndyFab 8)
Sounds as though it could be quite a weekend but please ignore rumours of my alcohol consumption 😉

RichPenny - still up for the Monday CG Adventurette? Don't worry, I only normally trespass when riding solo! will be on my best behaviour ... til we hit the pub!

[i]Well done Aleigh! Did they hear you shrieking across the Severn then [/i]

Well.............I did scream a lot on the final descent which I suddenly realised (whilst drinking my coffee after the ride) was right next to the car park! I dread to think what the blokes thought!

[i]Hey FoxyChick - one condition though, you gotta bring your IndyFab[/i]

Not much choice c_g..'tis my only bike!! 🙂

Yes, will be there CG. Looking forward to dodging the shells! Might be on the SS, so hoping for no steep hills. Must have ridden too much this winter (or the rubbish summer is having an effect). Current ****ed bearing total for the FS stands at 8! And that doesn't include the swingarm bearings 🙁 Pistons seized on the back brake too...

RP - great! Thought I'd bring gears as I would be spinning too much on the ss, my language gets a bit fruity too. Gravel tracks equal speed? Forget FS - hardtails rock 😀

Re: Trail Centres.

I've been riding bikes all my life and MTB'ing for about 15 years. The majority of my riding is in the Peaks (yes it is plural, as I ride the White Peak and Dark Peak). I don't think many would disagre that this includes some of the best riding in the country.

However, over the last couple of years I've experienced my first trail centres in Coed Y Brenin and Llandegla - both different and both rocked. Persisting with the 'only natural is good' argument is a litle retarded imo. BTW - if I find a section of singletrack with a smooth chute, berms and doubles I'm over the moon. If someone's going to make them for me - even better.

Road riding sucks baws btw

Hey Aliegh - glad you enjoyed CwmCarn! How many laps? Does that mean you will join us on the next Afan jaunt?

As for Trail centres vs natural IMHO they both have their place, its all bikes, its all good, but I would say anyone who just rides trail centres without getting a map out and going somewhere new to discover new rides for themselves is missing a great part of mountain biking.

Oh and dont mention Service stations 😳

Yes, let's forget about the service stations!

I am definitely going to Afan without a doubt! Just did one lap today, we spent a bit of time faffing at the top, it was great fun!

What's with service stations?

😳

yeah right....

Just got a wicked sense of humour sometimes!!

😆

OK, I'll admit it. That was my idea, probably been on the wine 8)

B&B I know in Dumfries, hit the town and then ride the next day

Last weekend outing with some of my Southern buddies;
[url= http://www.fanylionracing.com/reports/reportsdetail.php?reportsID=67 ]fanylion `09 Mabie report[/url]

You're on Trekster! 🙂

[i]I've never had a bad off at a trail centre, too smooth[/i]

The rocky steps bit at the bottom of skyline had me - mistimed a jump and went over the front. Saved by kneepads. Wolloped a root at Penmachno1 while at big ring velocity - superman headfirst into a rock. Helmet saved me! 😆

I love natural, but the berms and tables are such fun and there's no hoofprints!

Sounds like a great idea!

Trekster, can we exchange emails re dates for a weekend up there? I only have two weekends free a month and am thinking July at the mo...........my address is my profile 😀

FC, I'll pm you 8)

[b]aleigh[/b] ygm

4/5th and 11/12th July ❓ 🙂

i've never had a bad off at a trail centre, too smooth....

Not trying hard enough then Sharki! I did myself a air bit of damage at Afan in February, admittedly on a fairly smooth section actually, but I was tearing along at some speed when the front wheel washed out and the bike spat me down the VERY firm rocky trail!

Trail Centre Vs Natural debate? Well it depends what floats your boat to an extent, both certainly have their place. If you have natural trails on your doorstep such as the Quantocks though then I envy you, but for most of us Trail Centres provide easy, navigation free, quality assured riding, hence why they're so successful.

Oh, and well done Aleigh. I was genuinely impressed actually. Coming from someone who thought we did a lot of climbing on a ride down at Salisbury Plain a few weeks ago, she got to the top of Cwm Carn without once having moaned about the amount of climbing. Sure progress wasn't fast, but I've ridden with a couple of people riding it for their first time that were slower up the climbs for definite. Next time though she has to do at least the small ladder drop on the freeride area. I promise to do the largest of the 3 if she does 😉

Should have hung around for a 2nd lap though, the weather took a turn for the better and my 2nd lap was totally sunkissed! Amazing views, superb riding weather, great trails and good company (I even made 2 new friends on my 2nd lap, again experiencing a trail centre for the first time). Friday was a good day indeed!

never really damaged myself on "natural" trails but busted my collar bone in Dalbeattie.

As I get older I am taking more care of myself tho 🙄

Trekster - ygm 😀

mboy, thanks for your kind words! I wished I'd done that drop as I know I will have done the equivalent on another ride so yeah I'm up for the challenge!