My first man made trail was the old Karrimor route at Coed Y Brenin, my second was the black at Glentress. I've not done loads since but they all seem a bit short by comparison. No sooner have I got into my rhythm do I find myself back at the car park.
What are the best (man-made) trails that offer fun technical riding and a decent (half) day ride?
The Marin is pretty much the longest one going (about 30-40km isnt it?)
Why not link Penmachno and Marin for an epic?
The old Karrimor was 40km but not sure what is in its place. Might try what you suggest. I assume they are reasonably close
i assume you are a person who rides outwith trail centres as well?
what about w2 at afan?
the long one at nant's a good length - 35km i think and a good ride as well. it's not a "day" though, more like 3-5 hours, depending on pace.
well worth doing though.
I realise a "day" is not going to happen, but 3 - 5 hours would be good
[url= http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Centres/Nant_yr_Arian/Syfydrin_Trail/Syfydrin_Trail.aspx ]get on that then[/url]. it's an excellent ride, with good mix of riding.
Dalby is quite long as well isn't it?
Alternatively there's usually ways of mixing and matching Black/Red/Blue routes without returning to the car park. A well known variation on a theme at Glentress is "The Pyramid", where you do Blue-Red-Black-Red-Blue... 😉
Dalby's pretty long but quite dull, I thought. Same with the Marin. Do laps of Kirroughtree?
Isnt the marin tiny ? about 25k?
Penmachno both loops is around the 30 k mark. Biggest I know is Skyline at Afan which is 46k.
skyline at afan?
dalbys route is deffinatly the best long route i have been on 23 miles and continous fun decents and climbs...
Dalby is probably nearest to me so that might be my next port of call. CHeers for the tips
sorry, confusing Karrimor with Marin. Marin is shorter (but a great ride) and would make an epic if you did tack Penmachno full loop on the end.
Skyline isnt the most interesting route as theres a lot of double track in there to make up the miles.
W2 at afan is a lot of fun.
I think CyB's Beast, followed by one of the ones over the other side, would be enough for most people.
Alternatively, do the first bit of Llandegla then nip up Offas Dyke up to the radio masts, down into Llangollen and then back up Hoseshoe Pass
Mix the SSUK route in with the Red at Dalby and I reckon you've got best part of 4 hours even if you're quick. (unless your that guy who won it he was far too fast)
Someone on here did SSUK and might be able to point you at the route.
Penhydd followed by Whytes Trail at Afan is about 3 hrs, perhaps a bit more. I haven't done W2 at Afan but suspect it is a similar length. You can connect all sorts of trails together easily enough at Afan to do a full day of riding without repeating yourself
Did W2 and Penydd (penhydd in the middle of doing W2) on my last Afan trip which was a nice long ride. Although some mates also did July on top of that last time they went. That definately makes for a nice full days of riding. Make sure you pick the trail order if it's a BIG one, July when tired would be a waste of a great trail.
W2 is definately worth it, havent done the skyline but W2 seems to have less fire road. If W2 is the Whyte Wall is July/ Wall/ Penhydd/ Whytes the Black Wall?
Brechfa Black / Red would be a good day out at around 40km. Take the jam sandwich approach and put the red in middle and start / end on the black.
Had Manflu last week so didnt make Marin-penmachno but the linking route seems good if you do a variration of one of the routes in Snowdonia Bikefax.
First part of Marin to Cyffty Tube Hang a right to Llyn Geirionydd ,over to Llyn Crefnant (feel sick),down to Trefriw ,over Cefn Cyfarwydd (throw up), along Llyn Cowlyd to Capel Curig ,right at Pont Cyfyng to Dolwyddelan (blow up),left onto Sarn Helen,across miners bridge,hook right back onto the Marin and collapse at the car 5 1/2 hours later.Well thats what I did today anyway.Hav'nt worked out how far yet,was making it up as I went along.Can't feel my legs anymore.
If you're gonna link marin/penmachno be warned that bwlch y groes is one big ass push-if you can find it.and what is there is 4ft deep water filled mx ruts from hell.Better off staying on the fire road.
Tracklogs says its 60k and 2000m of climbing.I'm disinclined to beleive it as I'm quite patently not that fit.