Going to be in North Wales for a week on a family holiday near Conwy. I'm planning to take a bike along and get some rides in where I can, options I'm thinking of: Conwy mountain and surroundings, Penmacho, Gwydir. I've not rode any of it before.
Bike choices are xc bike, long travel trail bike (with stickier tyres etc) or eeb (more trail than enduro). I was leaning towards the xc bike, but any knowledge appreciated. I've heard there is some spicey off-piste in Gwydir, but I enjoy that sort of thing more in a group, and as I'll be riding by myself I'll likely by sticking more to the trail centre stuff down there. Thanks!
It probably does depend on your tastes and skills but I'd be inclined to go with a long travel trail bike rather than XC. Gwydir and Penmachno tend to be pretty rocky and everything is graded red, so you are less likely to be disappointed that way. The trails are also fairly hard on wheels so you might have a problem with lightweight XC rims.
The Marin Trail would be decent on the eeb as there are some really fun bits (like the final descent) linked by boring stretches.
If you aren't carrying excess weight like me and/or have decent+ fitness, you should be fine on a bike without a motor despite all the hills away from the coast. Otherwise, eeb it.
XC bike, everything you mentioned is years old trail wise and pretty tame.
I ride Conwy mountain and the trais over to Aber falls in a trail hardtail. Works great.
From your choices I’d go long travel trail.
Or just leave the bikes at home and enjoy a family break.
Or maybe suggest a trip to Machynlleth and you can test an Atherton at Dyfi and the family can enjoy CAT or King Arthur’s Maze?
Edit. Llandegla is delightful. And imo more worth a visit than Penmachno. Llangollen, world’s end, Offa’s dyke, and on provides a nice ride. And there are many trails to pursue.
There is also a route to Drum mountain which starts near Conway.
I wouldn’t take my eeb around Penmachno again anytime soon. It requires something more nimble
I didn’t think that riding my emtb round it a couple of weeks back.
If you do intend to ride Penmachno it needs some TLC. Lots of sections are. ‘Closed’ as board walk / bridges are falling apart. So long as you are careful these wooden sections can be pushed. There is however one section towards the end that is properly closed due to storm damage.
If you do the full loop one section is closed at the far end towards Betws. This is just quite overgrown. Still rideable on the whole but I came away with arms bleeding from riding through the vegetation.
By the way it’s remote, well certainly feels remote and not much phone signal
Still IMO the best trail centre trail in north Wales. Much better than CyB
Llangollen (one planet adventure) is ok on an eeb too if you want more modern trail centre type trails, great for a blast round - but it’s a fair way from Conwy !
I’d always take an eeb going somewhere I don’t know as it gives your more flexibility
