Monks Trod, near Rhayader

Does anyone know what this trail is like? We thought of doing it from the mountain road to Claerwen, but is it usually very boggy?

I found it very boggy the last time I rode it.

If it’s rained it is pretty boggy, what kind of route do you have planned? I know a lot of the area and could help with a route, drop me an e-mail if you fancy.

Im walking that neck of the woods this weekend so will let you know, but I reckon its going to be somewhere between knee cap and knacker deep.

It is always boggy in many places, but takes you into the heart of some astounding scenery if you like bleak and open moorland like I do. Take care crossing the river if it has been raining heavily.

Everytime I go I learn to like it more and more, but it is an aquired taste for many people. I know a few who have sworn never to return (myself included). The descents close to Clearwen farm are wonderful.

hey Ambrose, Im planning on crashing at bothy c on sat night. doing a loop (walking) from elan round to teifi, and then finish off around south side of the pond.

The Rhayder end isn’t so bad, but the western end is I interesting, you can avoid the worst but we didn’t…

http://iwillbebacksoon.com/2012/05/the-welsh-ride-thing-2010-day-1.html

Make sure there’s no geese around, or camels even.

Does anyone know what this trail is like?

F’in awsum on an Enduro bike. 😆

Last time it was used in an event they allowed us ten minutes to get from one end to the other.
We didn’t get much time for taking the view in. 😉

Rode it last month with a trailer on the back ! It’s ok but harder going as you get out the far end by Clearwen

Stoner- I’m helping my son move house in Cardiff this w/e. If you remember, take down the number for the sawmill at the bothy, they will drop wood off for you. Which is nice 🙂

You lie b***** Mike you whinged like hell at the other end :lol:. Nothing but foot high tussocks you reckoned.
What was the water level like on the Strata Florida during the Welsh?
The OP might find that the bothy access is a touch deep!
Stu, many years ago we did it on m/cs just before new year. It took us all day, brakes and carbs freezing. Like Stalingrad without the bangs.

Are we all talking about the same bothy? In my case I’m not meaning Moel Prysgau. Nor am I talking about the Tywi Track, known to the petrol boys as ‘Tywi spashes’ or ‘Strata Florida’. The Tywi track, close to Moel Prysgau was ludicrously high last weekend. We managed to wade the thigh deep fords but all the enduro riders had to turn back after their engines were flooded.

Coupled with The Monk’s Trod, you have the makings of a grand day out here 🙂

no, we’re talking about the same one, above teifi.

TBH I dont want to use any fuel unnecessarily from the bothy anyway, but tif there’s a bit of wood there….then I might spark it up.

Now, if you could just arrange for a horny, lonely, 23 yr old, Scandinavian lass to be there on her own this weekend, Id be much obliged 😀

As for the wet, Ive packed 4 pairs of spare socks and 2L of wine. I’ll survive 🙂

More a WAY than a track.

You can go that WAY…generally. Hard to find on the ground in bad weather if you haven’t got one of those “we are always inside the red circle” GPS machines, even then it might still be hard to find.

What was the water level like on the Strata Florida during the Welsh?

A bit wet is the best description…

Seriously all day? It was the shortest (time wise) check i’ve ever done.
Most people managed to not drop any time but used their minute allowance.
Propper flat out seat of the pants riding.
Oh and don’t try and follow any tracks on the ground after the first climb from the road. Aim for the “v” in the surrounding hills in front of you and hold it on the stop.

Got back in this afternoon after walking 35miles (2days) around all the Elan Valley Lakes. Joined the Monk’s Trod at SN865765. The climb up to the top was all good, dry and passable.

But once you start crossing watersheds along the ridge it gets tricky in places, and 894695 It would be serious sense of humour failure time on a bike.

However the view from the top was fantastic. DIdnt see another soul all day, had the place all to myself. A few heavy showers, but the wind and sun soon dried me off.

Whatever you do, dont try and cross the Claerwen river at the moment. The river itself is highish, but that’s not the problem. The bog on the other side is like Grimpen Mire. Tussock hopped my way to a dead end and thought I could see a way out with a bound onto a firm patch – if it was really firm… – , as I literally said to myself “Only one way to findOOOOOUUUUUTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!SPLOSH!!!!” upto my ballsack. 🙁

First time Ive ever seen Claerwen over the top.

Same for Caban Coch too.

Oi! People of Birmingham, flush the bog more! 😀

Anyway, had the bothy all to myself, and a pile of dry firewood in the shed. Glad Id lugged 3 pints of red wine round with me, a copy of Private Eye and my Pocket Rocket as the gas didnt seem to work in the bothy.

I now ache though. 35 miles might not be that long, and it was only 7hrs on Sat and 5.5 hrs today, but Im not the spring chicken I once was. And I doubt I could pull it off when Im old and infirm and I get to 40.

And I doubt I could pull it off when Im old and infirm and I get to 40.

When you get to 40 pulling it off will be the only time it gets used. 😆

40? It’s been in retirement since 2004 😉