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going to wales for weekend and riding penmachno full loop on sat morning , is there anything too technical or to watch out for ,and how long will the complete circuit take . ps any one else up there as im riding alone .cheers
its a piece of cake - old school XC.
can't remember how far it was - 30km?
so: 2-3hrs depending on how quick you ride it
no, its not too tech, certainly not if you watch your speed. But it is awesome. Very...
Just really good well lined up trail.
2-3 hours to do the whole thing. Be aware if you don't already know, Loop 2 is actually an extension of loop 1. Despite what people on here will say, it's worth doing. Nothing really techy there but it WILL be wet, I can assure you - and therefore a little slippery. Make sure your brakes work.
Conwy Falls cafe at the top of the road for post ride brew.
Despite what people on here will say, it's worth doing
In summer, in winter, I'd consider skipping it.
As above, loop 2 can be incredibly wet.
The last 2 sections might be closed but that was because you had to ride through the logging lorries on the fireroads to get to them, I am bad and rode them a few weeks back and they were clear. (they are 2 of the best sections)
As for techy/dangerous.... speed makes them super fun and increases the likelihood of a mishap.
Just make sure someone knows you are up there as it is a quiet trail, loop 2 especially.
In summer, in winter, I'd consider skipping it.
Not sure about that, it's one of the most all-weather trails I've ridden. Yes it's very wet, but it's hard-packed and bog-free all year round. You might want to skip it if there's a howling gale but that's about it. I've always used it as a winter option when the moors are too boggy.
Techy-wise, don't worry about it. I've taken beginners on it (including a complete newbie from work who was riding a tesco-special) and they all got round fine (loop 1 that is, loop 2 probably requires a little more experience just for the extra distance and remoteness).
Penmachno's OK. Not the most amazing place ever even though some seem to think so.
Some sections are mediocre, some are good.
Loop 2 IMHO is a waste of time. Singletrack which is not really exciting rising to a nice vantage point. You would expect a great dh bit at this point but its just a boring get you down safely line.
Loop 2 rejoins loop 1 close to where it left it so really no point.
The singletrack across the moorland at the top doesn't have so much flow and if you get the wind blowing in your face it's the worst place to be.
As said, you will get a wet arse even if it's been 40 degrees for 6 months.
The last descents are fun at speed. As long as you don't catch up with people who refuse to pull over in their carbon Santa Orange whatever.
There are better rides in the area, Natural an trail center.
I love Penmachno, up in my top 3 trail centres 😀
There isn't anything technical, but it's easy to get going very fast very quickly especially during loop 1, the trails are also very narrow and often on hillsides, so if you go off line it's easy to end up shooting off down a banking quite quickly.
As ever, be careful, we were up there the weekend before last and our group leader shot off a bridge and has broken his wrist and arm in 2 places.
I loved it, first time out and had a lot more fun there than I did at Coed y Brenin. Hit it fast and it's a hoot.
caveat, there were parts or coed y brenin which were much more fun but I thought Pechmachno linked up a whole lot better.
there a couple of hidden stumps quite close to the trail and very easy to hit if you over cook it! 😳 Theres a trickyish rock section towards the end of loop2, it's more of a "no dab challenge" than lairy though.
Trail is all open now. There might be some lorries and digger floating around. But the trail is all open.
I like loop 2. It doesnt gain much elevation. But there are some techy bits and its good fun. It shouldn't be too wet atm. There will still be some patches. But its been dry for a while now so will be puddles rather than streams.
Only time I did it, it was a shit load of tedious, some bleak windswept moorland, but really sweet descent. If you run the descent fast it can be a blast. Watch for pools of water in the wet though.
It's typical Welsh bleak moorland trail xc stuff. Wasn't a fan at the time, though nice out in nowhere feel to it and scenery is good. I may give it a go again, now with a bit more pedal power such that the tedious bits may seem okay.
Don't expect facilities. Parking spaces up the forest drive (free I think), and that's it.
I love Penmachno - loop 1 anyway! I think it is the narrow trails that make it so good. If you take them fast there is really no room for error which makes them more exciting than the typical trail center - one mistake and you will hit a stump and be over the bars before you can blink :o)
Parking is free but its nice to drop some coins in the box.
Hi me and a couple of mates are going saturday but i dont think we will be there till about 12.30 if you see us your welcome to join us ,its a first time there for us too
With this weather I doubt you will be alone!
Did it last weekend. Not too wet and a good warm up for CYB the next day. Second the vote for the cafe down the road. Gluten free Welsh rarebit - superb. Brilliant biker food stop.