[Closed] What have they done to the gap?

How very disappointing
🙁

Because someone has a budget and if they don't spend it all this year, they get less next year ?

So mincers can now say they've ridden it?!
Shame, that was a nice little reward for the boring climb up!

Tragic!! I mean what is the benefit of smoothing it out???

We encountered the JCB about half-way down the descent on Monday afternoon. I can't believe he actually went that far up!!! It was the first time we'd done the route so i have no idea what the part he had already 'smoothed' over was like before but at least we got to ride the upper section which i thought was great.

Has this been done to improve vehicle access perhaps?

It was a fun route and a great way of getting in some great views.....well....i guess they would be great views. It had snowed up the top when we did it and we arrived at the Gap in a blizzard so didn't hang about!

The bridleway just through the narrow gate at the end of the Gap descent was actually better than the Gap itself, i thought.

maybe someone thought it was getting dangerous for horses?

Just be grateful there arent any cones!

Has this been done the whole way down?

I wouldnt worry too much - given the weather in Wales & the fact we cant build a road that lasts more than 6 months in this country it will be washed away by May!

Just realised this must have been done for vechile access, as you can no longer get to the Gap from the Talybont side due to the heavily eroded gully near the upper most reservior.

This is what it used to look like:
[img] [/img]

Or covered in ice like this:
[img] [/img]

We met the JCB at the point at which the descent becomes pretty much a double track. He had already smoothed over a 200m section further up.

Just give it a few torrential downpours and it'll be back to how it should be.

Nevermind Krag....should have done it last weekend then...sorry 😉

That section was hardly challenging anyway. Infact the most challenging part of a Gap ride is the boredom.

The best parts of riding about there are just off from the usual Gap route.

That section was hardly challenging anyway.

lol. Yes. Peddling up is challenging.

But most push up. Just like most push down when theres ice on there.

Nevermind Krag....should have done it last weekend then...sorry

I'm actually in new zealand at the moment but was looking forward to a blast around there when visiting home soon 🙁

Ah well, plenty of other good stuff though to ride in the area 🙂

Oh that is rather tragic - I've a lot of good memories of that ride. Per Mr L above- how much has been "improved"?
[s]
It's not just bridleways though. The only tricky sections of the Whites Level ascent at Afan and at Cwm Carn have been taken out. These werent dangerous and weren't unridable - just a bit tricky- so trail centres are culpable as well.

Thats shite news - I doubt it is for vehicle access - they banned it for most of the year anyway. When it was open only proper 4x4s and Trail bikes gave it a go - they also enjoy a challenge just like us.

Perhaps its for horses, eitherway it seems daft that the council spends money on stuff like that. Are there not schools to fix, pot holes to fill and old peoples home to run ?

We will just have to go and find some un sanitised cheeky bits to enjoy.

I saw this last night on a friends facebook pics and was furious!!! 👿

What is wrong with leaving this "natural" surely this required some sort of planning consent or consultation?? It's up to the individual person be it a walker, cyclist, horse rider, 4x4 driver etc to decide if they want to attempt a "tricky" section, part of the thrill surely is the challenge and potential risk?

Was there any signs up in the weeks prior to this happening?

Even more reason for more folk to do the Brecon Beast on a CX bike now 🙁

I have to admit I find this sort of stuff absolutely infuriating even at the best of times, let alone when we should be focusing on how tax-payers money is spent. They did this to a similar one near Hindhead a few years' ago - I suspect they wanted to remove the challenge for 4x4s but in doing so they trashed a cracking bit of technical rocky trail.

That section was hardly challenging anyway.

I've had a couple of off on it. I didn't even attempt it the first time - Mind you I was riding a Halfords hybrid 🙂

Nevertheless, it's been made completely unchallenging. booo

Amazing that they can find the money to do bits of trail like that yet on my commute home I am forced to mix it with busy traffic on narrow, unlit roads because the alternative off-road multi-user trails have just remained as little dashed lines on the 2006-2011 council local plan map and nothing in reality on the ground.

I hear they're putting traffic lights at the gap itself for bank holidays and weekends 8)

The Gap has an unusual recent history in that it is regarded as 'dual status' ~ it is on the Highway Authority's "List of Streets" and therefore they regard it as having vehicular rights. However, it was recorded as a RUPP and since the NERC Act [Part 6 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 is concerned with Rights of Way and mechanically propelled vehicles] that makes it a Restricted Byway which has no Mechanically propelled vehicular rights. This apparantly legally over-rides the List of Streets and indeed the TRO signs at each end of the Gap route. If you ask the Highway Authority they say it has vehicular rights, if you ask the ROW Officers they will tell you it does not have any vehiculat rights! So, it would be interesting to know who is doing the repairs 🙄

I wonder if it has anything to do with safety reasons after the icy winter plus easing vehicular access for emergency vehicles to a very popular walking area.

Edit: Or it may be being done by the farmers/graziers to allow easier access to their hill grazing (so possibly not spending your taxes although I bet there was some form of grant available if this is the case)/Edit

maybe someone thought it was getting dangerous for horses?

If they did then it was someone that doesn't ride horses! Downhill there is fine and uphill is quicker than a pro MTBer.

Krag - your first picture is not visible but from your description, won't a heavy downpour just wash it all away?

, won't a heavy downpour just wash it all away?

Not once they get the tarmac on it... 😯 😆

It's a cryng shame :o(

It's been done before, last time was about 8 or 10 years ago i think. Not sure who does it but it's 'for' the 4x4 access although most of them, even those on a day trip from chelsea, must be peeved at just how flat it is now. It will wash out again, but it's going to be 3 to 5 years before it is any fun to ride from a technical point of view I'd guess, unless Welsh weather gets even wetter than it has been.

:o(

Doh... really enjoyed it last year and am booked to go again in May 😀

That sucks.

I have to say it's not exactly a huge loss. I didn't find it very challenging at all but just wanted to tick it off the list so to speak.

It was a very easy way to climb to a decent height and enjoy a fun descent on the other side.

The flatten section is in fact a small percentage of the overall ride after all!

Sacrilage! 👿 Glad I rode it when I had the chance (even if I stacked in front of a group of red socks on the first attempt 😳 ).

There is another uber-cheeky and much better alternative. And I will be doing that when I next go there.

That section was hardly challenging anyway. Infact the most challenging part of a Gap ride is the boredom.

I concur

That's insane, done it a few times and always a good ride. I know the other route talked about but not done it, may do it later in the year. Like others say probably done for the horsey brigade. There was one sanitised in he peaks about 5 years ago for the horses (Royce Clough?).

sanitised in he peaks about 5 years ago for the horses (Royce Clough?).

That's sad, green laners have been slowly wearing down that section over the last few years, now the council have finished the job.

The fact that a few people on here can apparently ride it with their eyes shut and don't find it challenging enough doesn't make it ok to drive a jcb up there . Bizarre argument. But you did get some attention....

If that's the attitude of the local authorities then I'm getting checky on the Beacons arse, no holds barred.

" I'm getting checky on the Beacons arse, no holds barred."

Indeed

There is another uber-cheeky and much better alternative. And I will be doing that when I next go there.

Give us a hint.. 😉

A real shame and a waste of money. I know the Gap is not everyone's cup of tea but it is a relatively wild part of Britain, especially the south, its a national park and close to the highest point in south Wales so why the f*** does it need road so smooth my mum could drive her Micra up it? How suburban does this country have to be? It is so exasperating.

In it's previous state I saw a 2CV drive up it.

the section in question is a very small part of the Gap ride. Maybe technical for the very least skilled of mtb-er.
As said. The better descents are just off from the usual boring Gap ride.

Longer, faster descents. And a true gem of a steep, swooping technical descent that will cut out most of the lane work to Talybont.

Hi mooman - or anyone!

Can you email me something else to ride in the area - a group of us are going in May and were planning to do the gap as our sunday ride, having done the killer loop on saturday! Did it last yaer and had loads of fun!

email in profile, or a post on here pleeeeeeeeeeeese!

Thanks

C.I.S.

I enjoyed the Gap a lot last time I rode it, although that was a good 5 years ago and of course I've become a riding god since then. 😉

Setting aside whether the Gap was people's idea of a decent trail or not, it does kind of emphasis how important it is to make your voice heard. I expect the local RoW team had one or two 4x4ers raising concerns over the conditions of the surface, didn't hear a peep from local or non-local mountain bikers, and acted accordingly.

The sanitized part is only a very small part of the total ride, the most technical bit for sure, but the gap ride is as much about being out in a great place as a technical riding experience. I've done Moomans route ( with him ) and its a worthwhile ride, but it is a cheeky route, and not perhaps to everyones taste.
Ciderinsport. If I were you I'd still do the planned ride, out in the Brecon Beacons for the day ! you can't go far wrong.

Nah. Dont agree Col.
The vast majority of the usual Gap route is over boring rocky foot paths and lanes .. very tedious indeed!
Even on the small section from the top to the gate leading to the lanes where you can peddle hard and pick some speed up .. its hit and miss if your gonna pinch flat.
My route is more picturesque, better technical climbs and much much better descent.

Col when you did it, we had huricane winds blowing us almost off the top ... I got the pic of you (and Leon ) looking a little nervous of the gales if you want me to post it? 😆

[img] [/img]

Whatever you think of what has happened on the Gap, you have to worry about the steady 'civilisation' of some trails across the country. I always thought it was for solicitors' daughters to ride horses that were too big and powerful for them [ my ex-wife was a riding instructor-I have issues with horses!] but talking to some riders in the Peaks they were moaning about the gentrification as well.So who is it for? I don't know but I can see a time when MTBers are told to go to Trail Centres if they want to ride rough stuff. Luckily lack of council money should prevent this.

Cheers guys - will probally still ride it as it fits into a weekend already panned - however, if anyone has any suggestions...???

We are a bunch of southerners whose normal riding doesn't include any hills of note - just shed loads of sandy mud 😕 and this is our annual trip out!!! We will be staying at a bunkhouse with good access to the gap and the killer loop!

C.I.S.

Ciderinsport: can't see your email addy but I have access to some routes and would also like the cheeky option if you have it. I was planning to hit the gap at the end of march but don't see the point if it's been sanitised.

Cheers.

Col when you did it, we had huricane winds blowing us almost off the top ... I got the pic of you (and Leon ) looking a little nervous of the gales if you want me to post it?

Hurricane doesn't even begin to describe it !! If you'd have jumped of that ledge you would have just been blown back . 😯