[Closed] Skyline Question

Rode skyline couple weeks ago and half is shut ! Not worth doing IMO

Tried to ride it yesterday and the signs are all over the place. It's a right mess imo. Did the whites level the day before and the diversion signs take you back to a place you've already ridden.

Yup, we rode it at the weekend and the eastern loop (36-54 on [url= http://mbwales.com/media/viewfile.aspx?filepath=1_20101029164046_e_@@_AfanMBGSkylinev4.pdf&filetype=4 ]the map[/url] I think) is closed off with a proper fence.

The final sections (Peregrine Ridge, Jetlage etc.) are well worth doing, which I think are taken in by the current White's Level diversion..

Lot of closures in Afan at the moment. W2 might be a better bet, the diversion after Energy section of White's does take you back up the climb after the black run, but you get to do the Skyline descent, which is a good one.

Cheers for the update guys. Might have to do a combined W2/Whites/Skyline combo by the sound of it. 😀

If you look at the FC Afan web page (this lists all the numerous closures and diversions)the eastern loop (the main and best bits of Skyline) are shut for good it would appear as they are starting to build the monster windfarm there. If I was coming fron any distance at all I really wouldn't bother with Afan at all for the foreseeable future due to all of the various closures. The FC Wales really do boil my p*** - I queried what happening with Skyline with Cognation some time ago(the multi agency body inc the FC tasked with promoting mtb'ing in s.wales) and was told the Skyline would remain open throughout but it appears the FC have now changed their minds without notice. I am a big fan of Skyline proper i.e. with the eastern loop(Cognation say that because a few of the sections remain and you are diverted back along what was a previous diversion that is cut up by mx'ers the route is open ffs)and it is sad to think that it is lost for ever. Rant over.

Wow! That is very sad news - end of an era. Not many epics like that around. I gave up on whites a long time ago with the long term closure of goodwood and dark side. Skyline was my Afan fix. What a shame 🙁

It is sad to see all these closures at Afan, but with regards to the windfarm do I remember reading somewhere that the company has to build a new mountain bike trail to compensate for putting the turbines in? Can anyone verify that? That might be a silver lining if it is a decent red trail. Didn't know Goodwood/Darkside were permanent closures either, and according to their website things are going to get worse next month as they're closing the entire White's climb! Think I'll stick to The Masts for now.

Or just go to Brechfa instead!

Or just go to Brechfa instead!

Is brechfa skyline, yes/no.

If i go to a trail centre i want to go for a ride to get away from mud not jumps, not pointless tabletops, not wide berms.

It is sad to see all these closures at Afan, but with regards to the windfarm do I remember reading somewhere that the company has to build a new mountain bike trail to compensate for putting the turbines in? Can anyone verify that? That might be a silver lining if it is a decent red trail. Didn't know Goodwood/Darkside were permanent closures either, and according to their website things are going to get worse next month as they're closing the entire White's climb! Think I'll stick to The Masts for now.

Is this teh end of Afan as an MTB destination for visitors?
I'm sure the masts trails are great but all of the locals are tight lipped. Without Skyline or whites (no climb, no final descent), Glyncorrwyg will not get any visitors at all. Bad news for Skyline cycles and the cafe, eh? With only the wall to offer; I can't see many people making the trip. I won't. It's not as if Penhydd is going to be the trail it was. I believe it's opening as a blue trail sometime in the next year (maybe). Anyone from Cognation care to comment?

If you look at the FC Afan web page (this lists all the numerous closures and diversions)the eastern loop (the main and best bits of Skyline) are shut for good...

Nipper, I can't see anything that suggests that these areas are gone for good. Yes they're building a wind farm, yes doing so will likely trash the existing trails; but trails will be rebuilt at some point, trees regrown - though not too close to the turbines... It's not as if there's a plan to build a second Milton Keynes at Glyncorrwg. The cycle of life will continue.

It's not as if Penhydd is going to be the trail it was.

How do you know this?

edit: Well obviously it won't be the same trail - but you seem to suggest that its replacement will definitely be worse.

I had a good ride there a few weeks back fair bit of climbing to link everything up but the Skyline descent is well worth the trip. Just pay attention as the signage is not what it was! Black run in whites is still open but the energy bit and a few others aren't. We had a laugh despite the rain coming in sideways.

I don't think a blue trail will include hidden valley, which was one of the best little sections in the park IMHO.
Forgive me for moaning, but blues now seem to be 6ft wide and smooth as tarmac. I do hope I'm proved wrong.

Regarding the old classic Penyhdd, this is the latest from Cognation:

[i]Starting approximately beginning 2013
The new Penhydd Trail will consist of two intermediate/blue graded
trails leaving the Afan Visitor Centre and linking at their furthest point to difficult/red sections of trail still remaining from the old trail. This should be complete by summer 2013 but no dates are confirmed.[/i]

So there is a glimmer of hope that they may keep some of the good bits like Hidden Valley, although after looking at the recent blue section they built at Afan (i.e. machined gravel track) it is right to be wary.

Yeah I think it's the closure of the White's climb ... not clear if this is permanent or not ... (anyone know?) that will be the clincher in terms of whether or not it's worth the trip after this month.

I'm in Cardiff and stopped going there a few months ago due to the closures being sporadic and numerous.

I've also taken a sneaky walk over the old Penhydd and Hidden Valley is salvageable (with a bit of work) but looks like the rest is going to be new trail ie like the stuff they've put in already. Had a word with a few of the workers there and they've got work lined up to machine the whole trail smooth once the trees are gone, so doesn't bode well.
Looks like the FC are going to make the whole place more family-friendly, which is all good and fine, but means all the stuff we like will most likely disappear 😥

I've posted before that I feel for the local businesses like the lodge and cafe, IMO Afan is no longer worth the trip.

We've seen before with Penrhydd that proclamations it would only be shut for a short time have turned out to be wrong. The new trail repeatedly hinted to open "next year" hasn't materialised and the plans show it's going to be nothing like as good as the original.

The fact is the primary use of the land is electricity generation and forestry. The MTB-ing was good while it lasted.

I would say going forward we may stop at Afan (3.5hrs drive) for a quick spin before driving on to Breacon B's / Brechfa area but for a quick spin Cwmcarn red divides the drive better. Afan is no longer a focal point 🙁

Looks like Cwmcarn is going to get a lot of traffic this winter.....
Having said that FOD is horribly busy nowadays.

As indicated above, to the extent that you can trust FC Wales then I would simply refer you to what happened with Penyhdd. I did suggest that Cognation post here but obviouslt they have choosen not to.

Looks like Cwmcarn is going to get a lot of traffic this winter.....

Hence the new bigger car park 😀 (and the pay-and-display machines 🙄 )

Has anyone ridden the new route back from riding high they put in place of the entire eastern section?

For me living close it was easy to drive up on top of the Rhigos, do a loop of the easter bit then drive home.

Might be an idea if someone who knows the place put together some sort of map on the web showing what's open and how to get between the various sections to make a loop?

Bugger. A few of us were just making plans for a day trip down to Afan in a few weeks, looks like we might have to go elsewhere. Personally I'd have rather done two loops of Whites than one of Skyline.

We did the Black Mountain killer loop last month, it was wet, windy, muddy, cold, and great fun despite an accidental ~10 mile detour! However I'm kind of yearning for something fast and smooth with signposts now 🙂 Perhaps Cannock is calling.....

I think whites is better with the skyline downhill rather than original end.

All closures and maps...

http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk/default.aspx?page=6486

I'm still going to make the trip - B&B was all booked and W2 looks like it could still make a good ride. Possibly do Sat in Afan (sounds like we could do the whole list of open trails) and possible Cwm Carn on the way back on Sunday. I have not ridden Skyline before - but have done the others a few times. Even so, trying to understand the (hand drawn) diversions on the web-site is challenging to know what is rideable and what is not. Also, some of the diversions looked like they were in place for a short period of time but are taking months/years longer than was originally anticipated. 😕

Good route: park at Ryslin, climb initial wall climb to the top, go over the high access road, ride energy, then to the top of windy point and onto the final bit of the skyline decent, then climb back to the top of Whites, do the Black then back up to Windy point, ride that back down to Energy, then back over to the Wall decent. Thats about 45 - 50K and good enough to keep you smiling allllllll day long

Cool! Cheers for the info......

Good route: park at Ryslin, climb initial wall climb to the top, go over the high access road, ride energy, then to the top of windy point and onto the final bit of the skyline decent, then climb back to the top of Whites, do the Black then back up to Windy point, ride that back down to Energy, then back over to the Wall decent. Thats about 45 - 50K and good enough to keep you smiling allllllll day long

....or more commonly known as W2...........

Not Quite 😉 bypasses Goodwood & darkside that are closed at the mo. Diversions at the top of whites are all over the place.We met guys coming DOWN the initial white's climb.

What you have described (with current detours) is what the w2 signs will get you to ride (but with optional black loop). It is likely to be theW2 ride for the foreseeable.

Whatever. It's a great ride and I'm sure the OP will love it.

the skyline diversion isn't a new cut as the afan forest web site indicates - its a very rough bit of bridle way that you will share with the local mx'ers. it was the diversion that was in place previously.

Quite right, it is a very good ride carpe.

Well - I'm going to ride it and will probably do a gopro vid as well - will post here in a couple of weeks!

Well - report back from the weekend in Afan and I can honestly say that it is well worth the trip.

Day 1 - 44 miles. Started with YWal climb. Then across W2 link and climbed the fireroad back to the top of the Whites Climb/Black Run start. Hit Skyline and followed - without diversions - to 'on the edge'. Then really skittish diversion back down some super rocky sections to end up at Deadwood, Peregrine Ridge and JetLag - all running well and super technical. Coffee and Cake in Skyline Cafe then Whites level climb, windy point, W2 back to yWal. Note that 323 section is closed but everything else is running super.

Day 2 - 15 miles. Whites level climb, then down windy point to Energy, which is open and running well. Goodwood and Darkside closed due to Forestry Commission Wales work on Larch Disease. Big slog up to the Black Run then slog up again to the start of Deadwood and back round the end of Skyline again.

All in all, still really super trails, still worth a visit. Saturday was warm (t-shirt weather all day) and Sunday was cold, wet and grey. Typical autumn weather in Wales really.

On the trail closures, these are not as bad as some comments have mentioned. Diversions are really clear and well marked. The local businesses really need MTB support (they don't get much from the forestry commission it would seem). The main reason for the closures is Ramorum, a pretty bad fungal disease that effects the Larch woodland in not just this part of Wales but all over the UK. 600,000 trees have been felled so far and the disease is believed to be 'under control' but it can be transferred elsewhere quite easily (think of it as a Larch tree equivalent of foot and mouth so wash your bikes!). So credit where credit is due, at least the majority of the trails are open and when you see some sections of the trails (e.g. Darkside - now to be rechristened Lightside!) the impact of removing all of the Larch is pretty alarming.