@Shedbrewed – do you have contacts for either/or? Thanks

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with riding hard responsibly though not so sure on the turn of phrase ‘ripping it up’ – sounds like damage is being done.

And I’ve no problem with people riding close to their limits on natural stuff providing they can see ahead and can stop or slow down if/when needed. In other words in control. And choosing your day/place helps.

But yes, agree that perhaps real adrenaline addicts are perhaps best on trail centres or even cheeky stuff where they don’t come into conflict with other users.

@ ninfan Of course not, that would be great – thanks. Will be a lot easier to ‘talk’ on a proper PC too.

Ironically a Snowdon access meeting in the morning!

Cheers for now

Exactly, think you’ve hit the nail on the head re the commuting/cycling for health/competition etc etc.

The group of people that need representation are those that ride non-competitively and socially off-road purely for recreation. They aren’t trying to get anywhere and they aren’t trying to win anything.

This is one way MTB is different from climbing – no-one climbs to work and the competition scene is very fringe.

Guess this just needs tying down in a few succinct sentences…

Thanks. Have done so and no, and did, and wasn’t voted in! But it’s not such an issue here in Snowdonia (Snowdon excepted and I have been recently invited to join the Snowdon Agreement Group).

As for something that may bear fruit in the nearish future, you may or may not be surprised at how many times I have heard this kind of thing so far. And that’s sort of why I’m getting so frustrated.

If you know something/someone that’s doing something then please put them in touch. Can’t believe they couldn’t use some more energy and experience, as well as someone well-versed in the workings of the BMC and with the ear of the Welsh Government and the MTB press.

I wholeheartedly agree with you ninfan. Although I do think a membership organisation could do this. I think one obvious example is the BMC, which I am an area Chair for, but am sure there are others.

The real problem is getting it off the ground and moving. This would require a few dedicated souls doing quite a lot off their own backs and out of their own pockets…

Sponsorship of any form scares me a bit – all sponsors will have competition and this could lead to one company supporting things and two others boycotting with their noses out of joint. Unless of course it was entirely charitable and therefore anonymous.

Would have thought some kind of crowd funding might prove more fruitful?

I’m willing, and know of a few others that are – especially in Wales.

Can be emailed tom at mtbguiding dot co dot uk if you want to discuss in more detail.

Agree Spockrider, and have even made efforts to try and do something. But can’t do it alone. And I frequently make calls for others to discuss things and perhaps take them forward but haven’t been inundated with contacts yet.

Recreational mountain biking needs real representation but seems few mtbers really want it or are prepared to do anything about it.

I think the problem is that mindset is stuck in historic rights. The actual system has served us reasonably well until recently. Just look at Ireland,where there are almost no rights of way, to see some positives. But yes, mindsets need to change and action needs to be taken. I just can’t see it happening until there is massive pressure. Think that nationally this is Achievable but tough. Think within Wales it is emminently doable… I’ve tried jigging up IMBA and WC/BC but so far have been met with complete lack of real interest. Where now?

The Welsh Government could make a decision about this,yes. And the proposal outlined further up for increased and simplified access for was pushed through for consultation by John Griffiths AM who is Minister to Culture and Sport and a thoroughly sound fella. I was involved in the consultation because of the BMC Cymru. Sadly there was representation for mtbing because there was nobody to represent mtbers. There was representation from the Ramblers, who had full-time staff working on it, the BMC https://www.thebmc.co.uk/show-your-support-for-our-open-wales-campaign , BCU, BHS etc…

The whole thing was eventually defeated -temporarily at least – by the Anglers and Land Owners who mounted a massive campaign,backed up by legal teams.

There was talk of taking the water part out of it and continuing with just land access but time had pretty much ran out. And we have an election soon so it’s unlikely the same ministers will hold the same roles. I believe, however, that the proposal has been given a status whereby it must be revisited in the next term, whoever is in government. Can’t see it getting the same attention from Plaid or the Tories though 🙁

Am always keen to discuss representation for recreational mtbers in Wales. if anyone else wants to share thoughts/ideas, please get in touch.

Done…incidentally working on a book of classic rides would DCC or anyone else be disappointed to hear this loop could potentially be dropped?

I was involved in the Welsh access consultation with the BMC. The minister responsible,John Griffiths,would have loved representation from mtbers, but there is/was none.

I’ve made it clear to both IMBA UK and BC/WC that I would be happy to put time,energy and experience into creating some kind of representation that would be ready for the next opportunity. Sadly these things move somewhere between incredibly slowly and not at all and at the moment nothing is happening.

If there are people on here who’d like to discuss this further, I’d be delighted to hear from them.

The actual Gap and the Gap Road are too rocky to suffer with weather really unless it’s snowy. If you’re using the Taff Trail approach then it’s all firm surfaces. If you’re going over Bryn Ore then it’ll be soft for a bit where you leave the main track. The riverside BW on the way down to Llanfrynach will be muddy for sure!

If you will be getting it wet then yes, synthetic is the best way really. And I agree that the better brands are closing the gap. But it’s still quite big in my opinion. The other option is one of the hybrid down/synthetics that are doing the rounds. Or waterproof down… http://www.berghaus.com/mens-ulvetanna-hybrid-hydrodown-jacket/421348.html?dwvar_421348_color=U79&cgid=mens-down-insulated-jackets

Would

May have been the same review that criticised it for its geometry then praised the Pace for the same geometry?

The climb up to the Hill Fort at Dowsborough is totally doable, as is Holford Combe (As Jam bo said I think?) as is Lady’s Edge.

Best way out of Smith’s is right for me. Seen it cleaned a few times though never made it personally. And then stay on the contouring track, which is excellent, all the way to Den’s Combe. Then head right after that.

Don’t have time to read through but assume someone has suggested a Vitus Escarpe? And would second it…

I’ve been mountain biking since the mid 80s but started on the road 2 years ago. At first 80rpm seemed crazy fast to me – 70 was good. I now spin at around 93-97 when I can and usually average well over 80 for a ride – even with big hills that require lower numbers. Would suggest to anyone who feels that 90 is too fast that they just stick at it for a bit and it’ll become natural.

I have been using them for a while but glue an underfoot strap (cut from old innertube) in place beneath the foot to hold them down… They are a godsend for guiding on wet days and I can usually drive home in the socks I’ve been wearing!

Always the slowest average speeds we get anywhere on Dartmoor… esp this part. That’s a big ride… well done!

34/28 will be fine. I did it on 34/30 and I’m a crap climber. Word of warning, if you’re doing the loop, the rest of it is way harder than you’d think so save some. Also, take some warm clothes for the descent – it’s fast and exposed to the wind /rain. My other half was definitely hypothermic at the bottom.

As above – Marin’s great but some big climbs. Penmachno’s great but wet in places – especially loop 2. There’s a few sections of Penmachno closed at the mo – the trio of descents early on. That could make a difference? Or if you want a guide for some natural stuff 🙂

Campbell Coaching – run out of Afan and/or Llangollen. Couldn’t believe how much I learned from them and I’d been riding for 25 years… http://www.campbellcoaching.eu/

Check out Mudtrek near Carmarthen – dog friendly, family friendly, on the door of Brechfa Forest and Jay’s a top guide too if you fancy being shown some other stuff… http://www.mudtrek.com/

Tell them I sent you…

There’s a bridleway – brand new and resurfaced – that runs from Beddgelert to the Forest and on to Rhydd Ddu. It starts close to the railway station above the maain car park. As for the forest itself, it has less than a handful of decent trails – these are short and sweet and not really worth putting a lot of effort into finding (esp going south-north) – find me on the web and email if you want more info.

There is/was supposed to be a singletrack descent from the very top of the forest – on the flanks of Trum y Ddysgl – but I have put hours into finding it and it doesn’t exist any more (or not in a recognisable, rideable format anyway).

The westernmost of the two BWs that lead out of the forest to Rhyd Ddu is worth a ride – not bad at all.

@jaffejoffer Yr.no is generally spot on for the towns/valleys but use the met office mountain forecast too. It was lovely up there this evening… sorry…

Clear now… but a bit breezy and the ground’s a tad wet… This whole week looks a washout at present.

Don’t think I can be. Ty Powdyr is a club Hut I think but don’t think I have been there? And don’t think I know Duncan Lee but perhaps I’m just being forgetful, in which case apologies. Tom

Agreed beicmynydd but still can’t see the attraction. Was up Eilio today – on foot – and the vehicle tracks are terrible.

Peacefull process against an outdated, pointless, unfair, and unenforceable rule.

That’ll be the peaceful protest that nobody actually knows is a peaceful protest that will get us banned from Snowdon altogether then will it?

I’m sorry but I fail to see how that will help anything?

Campbell Coaching – they work out of Afan so a bit further over. But seriously brilliant!

There are quite a few really – including more than one good day on/around Snowdon. Llyn Cowlyd’s probably the best. But there’s some good days to be had in the North – above Conwy – and further south like Pont Scethin. Or even to the east to the Berwyn’s.
Let me know if you’d like a guide for a day or two…

A few answers in one here – hope they help

Firstly, there’s been a lot of work on the Ranger’s Path and it’s definitely better than it was. But there’s still more to do. It’s a pretty full on scree/boulder fest that’s mainly somewhat harder than the Black trail centre trails.

Secondly, the turning to Telegraph, if you’re going to push then the footpath straight after the gate is the best route to the col. But it is a footpath and the ground is soft so it should be pushed really. The BW is too steep and soft to ride anyway (as shown in the picture linked above!).

Finally, weird idea to head North West over Foel Gron/Foel Goch/Moel Eilio or south over Moel Cynghorion. Firstly there is no legal riding on any of these and this is a seriously sensitive area when it comes to access and bikes (see voluntary restrictions as an example). And secondly they are steep and grassy with only faint, mainly soft and muddy, paths linking them. Would be about as much fun as riding on a tipped up football pitch.

There’s so much good legal and non-sensitive riding in Wales and Snowdonia, why ride ridges where we’re not welcome?

If you link the good stuff south of Ladybower eg around Edale/Hope with Doctor’s Gate to Glossop and then the Trans Pennine BW east until you reach Langsett and can head back over Cut Gate. Plenty of variations and it can be ridden either way by heading south from Glossop to Hayfield if you don’t want to do the Snake Pass road climb. Easy to make 100km or more. Give me a shout if you want a GPX of one of the variations.

Opens at 11 but not sure about weekdays

Quantocks is superb – there’s stacks to go at without going near the Triscombe downhill stuff… The Minehead/Dunster/Dunkery bit of Exmoor is well worth it too. Ashton Court/Leigh Woods goes without saying and the Mendips – Blackdown/Beacon Batch is great if it’s dry… All my old stomping grounds

I’ll second Old Skool

Agree with Badly Wired Dog and also think the sport is still relatively new… Am working on the Classic Rock for Mountain Bikers though…

Please do – always up for a ride.