Two loops? Fair play! I wouldn't want to tackle that climb twice in one week let alone the same day 😆 . Have to agree though it is a cracking trail 😛 . Met a couple of folks at the top of Hideout last week riding back the same way as they'd had enough . . . can't believe they'd just denied themselves the best bits.
you can even skip hideout if you really want to by carrying on the fire road, round the bend and drop down into the next section (rocky something or other) on the left
Rode it today for the first time. Loved it. Really cannot understand some of the mediocre reviews it's had from some people. How can anyone find the descending boring, it's as demanding as you'd want from an XC trail, and beautifully varied, I thought, mixing rooty singletrack, almost DH style sections and a little bit of smooth, swoopy, bermy stuff. The climbing was long, and steep in parts, but I liked the fact that that gives us something a bit different from other trail centres in S. Wales. I also like it being in two halves, like Twrch, with most of the climbing in the first half and the descending in the second.
Even though it was busy today I didn't find it a problem; not difficult to pass and everyone seemed aware that there would be people coming up behind and were pulling over (as did I a few times; I'm not particularly awesome myself).
Did it in 1 hour 40 today - quite pleased with that - then up to do the final bit of Twrch descent.
Beautiful weather made a difference; maybe it's been the crap weather that's caused some of the underwhelmed opinion.
Merynella - you really don't want to ride it after rain, this is definitely not an all weather trail! bet it rides superb in the dry though, can't wait to get back now.
Yep, I can imagine it was a slog. I think you'll find it a lot better now it's dried out. I'm betting once it's had a spring/summer/autumn of riding it will stand up to another winter a lot better. Similar terrain and woodland to Twrch, so imagine it will react to bad weather in a similar way (i.e. not too bad).
creamegg - Member
you can even skip hideout if you really want to by carrying on the fire road, round the bend and drop down into the next section (rocky something or other) on the left
Yeh, had planned to do just that last weekend, but conditions were so good I'm glad I opted for the full loop in the end 😀
It's a totally different trail now that's it's dried out. Riding it again tomorrow and hoping to have the legs to ride the twrch after dinner.
Yeah surprising how quick its dried out, although saying that the cheeky trails near cwmcarn are bone dry at the moment
I did this for the first time today and thought it was great. The climbing didn't feel anything like as hard as twrch and on the whole I thought it was a varied trail, with up interspersed with down and some interesting twisty bits too. Thanks whoever built it!
I'd agree it's a engaging and varied trail. Not sure some parts will stand up to much use especially the top trail which is little more than a trench in the ground. Otherwise enjoyed it. Lots of variety. Climbs easy enough, few switchbacks
I thought the climbing was harder - couldn't really sit down and get anything going, to many lumps and bumps.
Love it generally though -the descents are sublime.
Well it's more engaging having to adjust your position on the climbs then just grinding up another fire road climb. Once you get some speed up on the short downs you can fire up the ups and over them with a few pedals at the top.
Of course - you do on the old one - but the it was more disruptive to rythmn than a natural climb would be - and harder on my back I found.
