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[Closed] SE Wales route recommendations?

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[#1859514]

We're going to be staying in Abergavenny next week and were hoping to do some high quality "natural" riding.

I've walked in the Brecons before and it did seem a bit grassy, so where do we have to go for more rocky trails? What are Black Mountains like?

I think I read that there's a good natural loop from the Cwmcarn XC, is that right?

The guys I'm going with live in the Lakes and we often ride there, so we don't mind a bit of hike-a-bike - and we enjoy a technical challenge to varying degrees.

Any help greatly appreciated.


 
Posted : 03/08/2010 8:18 pm
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If you got time drive about 30 mins to afan and do skyline or the whites both awesome


 
Posted : 03/08/2010 8:55 pm
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Afan is a fallback, but have done W2 twice in last 12 months and fancy a change.

Any suggestions at all?


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 9:34 am
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Black mountains killer loop or The Gap?


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 9:36 am
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Both look promising ta. Found some nice rocky-looking pictures for both.

What's the ratio of fun stuff to boring stuff on these routes would you say?


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 9:59 am
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The gap is fun, but the loop I sid had a lot of fireroady stuff for what you get. Last time I rode it I just went over one way then back the other. No fireroad, just challenging climbs and fast rocky descents.

The black mountains killer loop looks good, but the only time I tried it was this winter and was wading through waist high snow, so after about 5km we turned back! Great fun all the same though!!


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 10:06 am
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+1 Black Mountains Killer Loop. I think you will find no shortage of rock on it, espcially the final descent. I can't remember too much dull slog though inevitably there are some large climbs.

I have also done both of the routes from the BikeBase website over the past month, both are very good. though do have a higher % of grass!

Brecon Beacons are only grassy away from paths, the paths themselves are plenty rocky. If you look on the Brecon Beacons National Park website there are some routes. Personally I would avoid 'The Gap' route at weekends, it will be heaving with people.

keppoch.


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 10:07 am
 krag
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+1 The gap or the black mountains. The latter you definitely want to avoid if it's been raining lately as it'll be a bog fest.

The gap is good, there's some fireroad but only like 15% of the total. The sugar loaf (mountain just outside Abergavenny) is good for a shorter blast too.

Drop me an email if you need routes. There's some videos of the gap and black mountains on our club site if you want a feel for it http://www.mountaingoats.nildram.co.uk


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 10:12 am
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I've just been looking at your website pics via google actually Krag!

Will email you ta.

Thanks for the helpful advice guys.

Edit: We're mainly down for some uplifts, but riding XC Thurs and probably Sat next week if anyone fancies coming out with us?


 
Posted : 04/08/2010 10:25 am
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If you got time drive about 30 mins to afan and do skyline or the whites both awesome

That's about the duffest piece of advice I've heard in a while!


 
Posted : 05/08/2010 9:11 am