tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65236725970630302822024-03-14T02:16:28.723-07:00Rocks and roots: mountain biking in the UKComing into mountain biking from climbing and kayaking, where all routes/rivers come with a star rating, I have found it really hard to discern good routes/trails from merely mediocre ones. Lots of guidebooks and magazines seem to try and achieve an even spread of routes across the country, though in reality there's huge swathes of the country which have no technical biking at all. This blog is an attempt to describe the biking I've enjoyed the most (and which bits have been truly awful).Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-1779765183402537212014-01-04T06:45:00.001-08:002014-01-04T06:45:27.807-08:00New Penhydd trail at AfanAfter several years out of use the new 14km Penhydd trail at Afan is reopened! It starts with a pleasant switchbacking singletrack climb and short fun descent to a fireroad. The a long climb up a fireroad to a point misleadingly called the "top" (more on that later). From here more fireroad climbing to pick up one of the old trail sections "Desolation" which feels quite dull compared to the new stuff. it also carries a lot of drainage to leave you fairly mud splattered! Another short fireroad climb to the first of the new red sections which is steep and bermy. Another climb to some of the old sections - Sidewinder and Dead Sheep Gully - again these feel old and wet now. Then the final descent which is short sectiosn between fireroads - some technical, some more flowy, and back to join the blue route back to the cafe. <br />
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However, you can go out on another loop on the 7km blue (the Blue Scar). This is the same to the "top" (which is true this time) and then a long descent back to the cafe. The berms are just were you need them to pull you round the corneer and the whole thing is wonderful to ride - we really were sad when we reached the bottom.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-62714729809993197132014-01-04T06:33:00.001-08:002014-01-04T06:33:30.121-08:00Forest of DeanThe new blue route (<a href="http://www.fodmtb.com/download/i/mark_dl/u/4011640127/4588042185/Forest_of_dean_map(1).pdf">the Verderer's trail</a>) at Forest of Dean is definitley worth a ride. It's one of a new generation of blue routes that has plenty to entertain "red" riders - plenty of berms, kickers etc, the only thing there isn't is drop offs or rock gardens. The ascent was pleasant if not terribly exciting, but the descent was awesome. There's a couple of red options that are a bit steeper.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-84731922063338672832014-01-04T06:18:00.003-08:002014-01-04T06:19:11.235-08:00Ben NevisNo, no the trail centre, that would have been sensible. Instead we got sent on a wild goose chase by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotland-Mountain-Biking-Trails-Vol-2/dp/190614852X/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y">this book</a> which sent us up to the CIC hut (168722 - mostly a push), across to the Halfway Lochan (147724 - also mostly a push), then down the Tourist Path. Even though it was a weekday in May this was still rammed with people but also extremely technical. The people meant you had to ride it all on sight - no inspections. The whole path is constructed of stone steps, but soem steps and quite big and some conceal wheel eating drainage ditches. Rich rode about 60% of it, I rode about 20%. Pushing your bike downhill with an audience who are telling you what a silly idea this is is no fun at all when they're right. I definitley wouldn't recommend this route unless you like pushing your bike, you have a lot of confidence in your technical riding ability and you can find a very quiet day!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-25175284106222562432014-01-04T06:08:00.000-08:002014-01-04T06:08:08.793-08:00StrathpefferYou can pick up a fairly comprehensive map from <a href="http://www.squarewheels.biz/about/">Square Wheels</a> in Strathpeffer. To be honest we didn't find that much to impress us. There's some singletrack but it's sort of laid out between trees rather than built and as suhc has neither flow nor satisfyingly technical bits. The rest is just easy walking trails.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-12748836657885218082014-01-04T06:00:00.001-08:002014-01-04T06:00:42.347-08:00TorridonAnother supposed must-go biking venue in Scotland is Torridon. Actually it all seems to boil down to one route, and that rotue is bascially a 35km ride to get to the top of an awesome descent. Start at the free campsite in Torridon village (905557 - a recommendation in itself, it even has free hot showers, though beware the village shop is never open at helpful tiems so bring supplies). Follow the a road east to the top of Loch Clair (002581). This is north Scotland so it's an A road with passing places and not too unpleasant (in fact the worst bit is drivers waiting patiently for you in passing places so you feel you need to hurry to let them go by....). Follow the doubletrack along the east side of Loch Clair. There's a bit of singletrack along the NE side of Loch Coulin to break it up. Then climb steadily on doubletrack up the Coulin Pass (024500). In theory the descent is on doubletrack too, but when we were there the Forestry Commission had diverted onto some newly built, slide-your-back-wheel-round-in-the-mud style singletrack which was entertaining. Descend to join the road at Achnashellach Station (002482). Curse the fact that one one has thought to build a cafe anywehre in this valley to feed hungry mountain bikers. Follow the road SE to Coulags (957451) and set off into the hills again. This climb is much worse and involves quite a lot of pushing. Don't get too enthusiastic on the bits you can ride that you smash your back wheel on a drainage bar and disscovere that your pump is a bit shoddy..... There is a bothy (940480) part way along. The summit is Bealach la Nice (934508). Then enjoy the descent all the way back to the campsite. It's all single track. Not desperatley technical but occasionally goes onto slickrock so you cna make it as hard as you like. Is sustianed all the way down - lovely!<br />
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<br />Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-18562030284349170082014-01-04T05:39:00.000-08:002014-01-04T05:39:09.223-08:00Glen SligachanThe Sligachan circuit on Skye often pops up in "best routes in Scotland" features, but inspection of the map suggests a long day with loats of road, and further research suggests a lot of bog too. Also, it was a really minging day, so we went to the distillery instead. However, on the way back it looked like it was brightening up so we rode up Glen Slig (from 487298) up to Loch na Creitheach and back again. You'll notice there's barely any ascent, but do not fear - this will be the most fun flat bit of mountain biking you will ever do. The path does undulate a bit, so there's constant mini sized techy climbs and descents, which obviously become the opposite on the way back. And plenty of drainage bars, but once you get confident about popping oveer them it's ok. It doesn't have the satisfaction of a big mountain day, but once the Sligachan Hotel disappears round the corner it feels very remote!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-65331689464740857442013-06-03T13:51:00.001-07:002013-06-03T13:51:45.077-07:00Glentress Red and BlueFinally got the opportunity to ride the Glentress Red and see what all the fuss is about...... And Spooky Woods is very very good. A perfect combination of drops, tables and berms. To ride it fast you have to keep pumping it at every opportunity. And it is satisfying long so by the bottom your legs are aching! The other sections on the red and blue are all pretty good, but it's Spooky Woods which I think makes it the most talked about trail centre in the country!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-3728718414474968352013-05-02T14:24:00.001-07:002013-05-02T14:24:33.778-07:00West Yorkshire outwith Calderdale and BingleyThe publication of <a href="http://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/mountain-bike-guidebooks/west-yorkshire-mountain-biking-south-pennine-trails.html">Benji Howarth's new guidebook</a> inspired us to find some West Yorkshire routes other than around <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/hedben-bridge-descents.html">Hebden Bridge</a> and <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/bingley-bash.html">Bingley</a>. These are some of the best legal bits. (There were some footpaths, and some dull bits too.....)<br />
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The Pennine Way from Wessenden Head (0700073) down to Wesseden Reservoir (057088) above Marsden is a lovely long singletrack descent with nothing too challenging on it but good views.<br />
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The descents into Newsholme Dean (019405) both from Newsholme (019400) and Todley Hill (013410). Both narrow, little used tracks and quite tech. Needs to be dry.<br />
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On Ringstone Edge Moor (038187) a short little section of Packhorse slabs. There were other bits round Rishworth but no bridleways worth a special trip.<br />
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<br />Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-52957310361009751052013-05-02T13:58:00.001-07:002013-05-02T13:58:39.679-07:00GuisboroughWent to explore Guisborough. There's a 11km-ish red route. It has a long ride out from the car park on fireroad and up a very long climb. Eventually you read the top and find some singletrack, up and down a bit (including pushing up soem nice looking downs, hmmmm). The final descent (at the far west end of the hill) is great and actually quite technical, almost natural feeling singletrack. However, it ends about half way up the hill, so officially its the fire road back down. But there's clearly loads of cheeky singletrack all over and the bits we found were excellent. There's no trail map though so it's hard to work out how to link everything together efficiently!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-79239252614679193262012-07-23T15:23:00.002-07:002012-07-23T15:23:39.879-07:00ArranArran often seems to feature in country-wide biking guidebooks so we had to go and find out what all the fuss was about. There are some excellent resources published by the Arran Bike Club. However we didn't see a single rider the whole time!<br />
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Our first route was a variation on their <a href="http://www.arranbikeclub.com/documents/ABCClassicroute_002.pdf">Classic Route</a>. We had parental shuttle so started at South Kiscadale and cycled into point 7. From here you pretty much cycle the famous Glenashdale Falls walk backwards (with occasional route finding difficulites as all the signs point the other way.....) It is pleasant with not much technical challenge. The waterfall is very impressive though - a huge drop and now a great viewing platform too! After climbing up to Giants Graves (point 10) you then follow the forest road around the hillside to the start of the singletrack (point 12). The singletrack isn't so much constructed as simply waymarked. So it doesn't quite flow under the wheels properly and we had moments of wondering whether this was what we'd come all this way for. After scooting back through Lamlash you can then do a pleasant singletrack climb up to point 18 - they've made a path by the side of the raod that just feels far enough away to feel remote. I then followed the forest track to point 4. Note this track has now extended so the road end is not a good navigational point! It's very scenic with views over the Holy Isle. However, the descent is a vague trail that is good fun but not awesome and reaches the road quite quickly to descend on tarmac.<br />
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The next day we tried the <span id="goog_1570944893"></span><span id="goog_1570944894"></span><a href="http://www.arranbikeclub.com/documents/ABCLagganroute.pdf">Laggan Route</a>. We were shuttled to point 2. However, the descent from here is very vague. We ended up puhsing downhill over tussocks...... From point 3, the biking on Arran became awesome. The climb to point 5 was easy enough for rich to do but too hard for me. So I pushed while rich bum-waggled his way into the distance. The view on the far side into the Clyde is awesome and really adds atmosphere to the descent. The final section is ridicolousloy steep so I ended up walking which was a sad finale. But then you get beachside singletrack all the way to point 9 which is superb - all rideable.<br />
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Later that day (after a distillery tour....) we did the <a href="http://www.arranbikeclub.com/documents/ABCClauchlandsroute_000.pdf">Clauchlands Route</a>. Again with a cheating shuttle to south Corriegills we rode into point 3. The descent from point 5 is great - it eases you into a false sense of security and then suddenly gets steep and technical! After a climb back up to point 4/7 you descend towards Lamlash. I was worried by the annotated warning but actualy the cliff top descent isn't exposed at all - it's singletrack sufficiently far away from the edge not to be worrying. It's not terribly tehcnical but very atmospheric!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-79691614439255342582012-07-23T14:58:00.001-07:002012-07-23T14:58:38.704-07:00New Peaks descent near MellorFound a new Peak District descent to put into the <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/peaks-descents.html">list</a>. I think it ranks between 7 and 8. (Yes, this blog has now got disorganised and needs restarting.....) It descends off Mellor Moor (SJ985874) to The Banks (SJ979874). It starts off steep and loose, then gains steps, then is steep, narrow loose and steppy all at the same time. With some corners thrown in. Get relaxed about what your back wheel is doing and for 2 minutes you could be in the Alps!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-50911893413053272462012-07-23T14:46:00.000-07:002012-07-23T14:46:05.236-07:00DrumlanrigWe really loved <a href="http://www.drumlanrig.com/media/uploads/cat-227/mbiking-12pp-third-a4.pdf">Drumlanrig</a>. The philosophy of the place is pretty cool - basically the Duke who owns it decided to get some mountain bike trail built on his estate. More landowners like him are needed! The downside is you're meant to pay to get in - £6 each! We were advised to park in the lay-by just before the bridge on the way in. But from here you still have to cycle past the entrance booth/carpark where we got nobbled for the entrance fee as well as having had an extra long cycle.... With more cunning use of the map you should be able to work out a way to avoid it. Or just pay, enjoy the trails and wander round the gardens after too (we had a 6 hour drive ahaead of us so had to get moving!)<br />
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Anyway, the trails are great - really narrow rooty singletrack that wiggles on and on! Feels very different to other trail centres - very little stone and no big climbs or descents. Undulates a lot so definitely have an uppy downy steapost. Lots of tech stuff to keep you on your toes, and long enough to make you really tired! Even some Alpine swithcbacks! Really good - we'll definitely be back!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-64478463941914310352012-07-23T14:33:00.001-07:002012-07-23T14:46:53.755-07:00Fort William Witches TrailsWe just had a sneaky evening here and managed to get in the <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/WITCHSTRAILSTRAILGUIDEFINAL.pdf/$FILE/WITCHSTRAILSTRAILGUIDEFINAL.pdf">World Champs trail</a>. It was pretty good with plenty of variety and some nice tech stuff. The start was pretty hard to find (it's to the right of the gondola if you're looking up the hill). Lots of sections seemed to be closed when we were there too - with this not even being posted at the trailhead. But hopefully this isn't normal!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-5593498467672100122012-07-23T14:24:00.002-07:002012-07-23T14:24:25.936-07:00InnerleithenInnerleithen is next to one of the most talked about trail centres in the country. It is however surprisingly quiet! The car park is full of downhillers using the uplift service. These provide good entertainment as the first climb goes right next to the downhill tracks. After this the climb goes on for quite a while to a nice summit feeling top. The descent was maybe a bit disappointing considering the overall reputation of the 7Stanes. There's some nice flowy stuff at the top. Then a black option with some nice technical stuff. Then another section with some big drops that all have sneak lines. So overall "nice" but not stunning.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-72616549049907697612012-07-23T14:18:00.002-07:002012-07-23T14:18:28.157-07:00Nan Bield and Gatesgarth passesThose of you who know me and the history of this route may not expect me to rant about it. But I'm going to. We started in Kentmere, but it would also be possible to start in Lonsleedale or Mardale Head. From Kentmere head east from Stile End (NY 465 050) to Sadgill (NY483050). Although this is just the warm up on any other route it would be the highlight. Then there's a long slog up Gatesgarth to Mardale Head (NY468108). This isn't quite as good, as Rich put it "how can doubletrack be this hard?" with lots of loose stuff and unhelpfully placed drainage ditches. <br />
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The push up to Nan Bield is pretty brutal. The first half is just about pushable (and Rich rode most of it down while I pushed up slowly....). Beyond Small Water it is brutal - real hike-a-bike. If you're a nutter it <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Mojo-Trail-Diaries-Episode-1-part-2-2010.html">does go</a> but even these guys weren't on the actual trail. However, it is worth it. The first section is all rideable switchbacks - tricky but fun. There's a middle section with just enough to keep you on your toes, then it steepends again at the bottom. Just watch out for the big drop off! ..... Possibly the best natural trail in the UK?Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-20409751155572728552012-07-23T14:05:00.000-07:002012-07-23T14:05:02.039-07:00Llandegla - extensionWhat can I say - the new stuff at Llandegla is awesome! Whilst previously the route seemed to fizzle out - suddenly you were back at the car park without the "final descent" which typifies most trail centres. Now there's loads of extra - in fact make sure you save enough energy - there's a killer climb nesar the end! More rollers/berms/jumps than anything tight and technical. The map on the wesbite seems out of date so I'm not going to link to it.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-9469728365091974702011-11-27T02:01:00.000-08:002011-11-27T02:14:34.893-08:00New trails at GisburnThere has been a lot of work at <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.com/2009/12/lancashire.html">Gis</a><a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.com/2010/07/adrenaline-gateway.html">burn</a>. More hardpack has been put into the exisiting trail which makes it less of a mud fest. Sometimes this is quite sublte, sometimes the trail has been totally restructured, for example on the climb the Sheep Hill (which is now a lot easier). I can't find an updated map, but basically there's a new bit of singletrack on the fireroad that you end up doing twice if you do the complete red. It's got loads of northshore on it but the most terrifying bits are avoidable. <br /><br />More excitingly, there's a new downhill course which goes off the follows the fireroad climb up to Sheep's Hill back down again. It's wonderful, a good mix of tight bits, big berms and jumps at the end. Unfotunatly that outs you at the bottom of the climb again. It'll be interesting to see how they're planning this to fit in wiht the rest of the trails.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-44242162938559358202011-11-27T01:52:00.000-08:002011-11-27T02:01:40.109-08:00Coed y BreninSome changes afoot at <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.com/2010/06/wales-weekends.html">Coed y Brenin</a>. Already open is a new section called Adam and Eve which is smooth and jumpy and fits between Cain and Slated. I've just learnt to jump so I'm more enthusiatic about these sections now. It looks like Dreamtime has been given the same treatment but it isn't open yet.<br /><br />There's also a new Blue trail called Minotaur. It's very wide and smooth (designed for all-ability bikes) but has one section of incredible berms and also handily marks all tiny drop offs with a danger sign so you now exactly when to jump!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-15976562504372279962011-11-27T01:33:00.000-08:002011-11-27T01:46:38.727-08:00Unremarkable route round SwainbyWe picked a route from the usually excellent <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/North-York-Moors-Mountain-Biking/dp/1906148082">Vertebrate Publishing North York Moors Guide</a>. It's route 3 if you want to make a special note to avoid it, which you should do as it has nothing of interest except some nice views. Actually I guess it would be a good novice route as the going is never unpleasantly muddy or anything, it's just technically unchallenging.<br /><br />The descent which looks promising goes over Scarth Wood Moor from 462999, via Scarth Nick (473002) and down Limekiln Bank to 483008. However, it just isn't that entertaining! I can't really be bothered to describe the rest of the route, sorry!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-10360163872857910732011-11-27T01:20:00.000-08:002011-11-27T01:33:20.641-08:00StainburnJust realised I've not posted about <a href="http://www.singletraction.co.uk/projects/Stainburn/downloads/WBTMap.jpg">Stainburn</a> at all. There are three short trails at Stainburn.<br /><br />The red is nice and varied, nothing especially to comment on - only 2km or so.<br /><br />The "descent line" seems to be graded blue on the map above but is definitley harder than the red. You can reach it from the top of the red climb or by riding along the road. Again lot of obstacles and small berms etc. The push back up to the car from the bottom is particuallry brutal however and always demotivates us for repeat attempts.<br /><br />The Black is totally mental and on a par with the blacks and <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.com/2011/05/north-scotland-trail-centres.html">Golspie and Laggan</a>. Expect lots of hard obstacles, inspection, wishing you had more armour/bravado etc. That applies for both the climbs and descents! Having said that it's usually quite quiet as it's too fiddly for the downhill boys and probably beyond the average XC rider. So you can session stuff without worrying about being mown down.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-72277246066268504162011-11-27T01:00:00.000-08:002011-11-27T01:51:55.808-08:00Makeover of Ashton Court<a href="http://www.1sw.org.uk/experience/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Cycling-map-Hi-RES1-544x384.jpg">Ashton Court</a> has been given a makeover! The old trails were getting worn and for that reason almost technical. We quite enjoyed them but apparently were in a minority.<br /><br />The first big change to note is that the loop now goes the other way round (clockwise). Apparently this is the same as a the Bristol Bikefest anyway. At least now riders do all seem to ride it the right way so you're not constantly having to give way to each other. Which is good because it does flow a lot better now, it draws you into a sequence of pedal-pump-jump which is very engaging and surrpsingly tiring given that there are no big hills. There's a few bits which are a bit tight and it's hard to maintain a good speed through but not too many. In fact the worst but for this is at the start of the red diversion but this section improves as it goes on. The worst thing about the improvements is that it is noticeably busier, so you are often trying to overtake slower riders or stay ahead of riders behind (too flowy to want to stop). And being a city centre trail you get lots of kids/novices who don't understand that it's polite to pull over (though I am at times guilty of that too and I guess it is designed for kids and novices so I should go and play at a proper trail centre.......).<br /><br />Leigh Woods has also been more formalised so that will be worth an explore. Fifty Acre wood has not been changed so that remains in the <a href="http://rocksandroots.blogspot.com/2010/09/ashton-court.html">same old style</a> - very different now to Ashton Court.<br /><br />The cafe remains a bit limited - I went in looking for cake and returned empty handed. I think this is set to change too but i'm not sure when.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-72171998898524872262011-11-08T14:39:00.000-08:002011-11-08T15:02:43.064-08:00Doethie ValleyThe Doethie Valley is rumoured to be the longest piece of legal natural singletrack in the UK. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but it is certainly long (about 8km) and certainly single (never wider then 30cm). It feels very remote and quite special, but it is not really technical, just demanding of concentration!<br /><br />I think there's only one sensible way to ride the valley in an overall loop of 25km. It is often labelled as beign a long and committing route but I don't think it is particularly more so than most natural rides. You start the ride in the Llyn Brianne car park (784485) and ride anticlockwise around the reservoir. The track rises above the reservoir, leaves the trees and eventually gets to the Most Remote Chapel in Wales at Soar Mynydd (785533) (according to the Singletrack article). From here you take the steep doubletrack west until you almost cross the Doethie Fawr river (757534). This is the start of the singletrack which you follow all the way to Troed-rhiw-ruddren (771479) then you take the shortest route back to the start.<br /><br />To make a whole weekend we cna recommend combining with the trail centre at Cwm y Rhaiadr, though do not be tempted by any loops across moorland to the west linking up to the final descent. The tracks are indistinct and you will end up pushing more than riding!<br /><br />For accommodation the campsite at <a href="http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseekerlite/aspx/details.aspx?id=6320">Rhandirmwyn</a> is very pleasant but expensive as its a Camping and Caravanning one. The pub and cafe in the village are also excellent.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-24511501650587630912011-11-08T14:32:00.000-08:002011-11-08T14:39:32.309-08:00White Room ChaletThis summer's Alps trip was to the <a href="http://www.whiteroomchalet.com/sumintro.htm">White Room Chalet</a>. They are based in the tiny ski resort of Sainte Foy which is so small it doesn't even open its lifts in the summer it just runs a minibus shuttle instead. However, they take advantage of nearby resorts too and we rode in Les Arcs and La Thuile (Italy) as well as a backcountry day starting from La Plagne and another run down form the Petit St Bernard Pass. We stayed in their lovely chalet with professional chef so ate really well. Overall the riding wasn't as super technical as we have ridden elsewhere with the focus more on nice link-ups, but Stevo and Iona are great guides, organsie their groups well and really try to make sure everyone has the best time possible.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-4607826880622364512011-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:002011-11-08T14:32:03.475-08:00Herts ShoreThis post is not as helpful as it could be, since Herts Shore is in a secret location in Hertfordshire. But you can find out where by booking a course with Tony Doyle, a mountain bike coach. And I would certainly recommend this. He teaches biking in a way like no other, but he got me jumping which no one else has so far achieved. He is assisted by his purpose built coaching venue featuring jumps of increasing size with endless easy run ins/outs and a nice little skills track. There is also a lot of ridiculous north shore...... He <a href="http://ukbikeskills.blogspot.com/2011/10/alison-and-richards-2-to-1-session.html">blogs</a> about every session,and has invited us to come to Herts Shore any Sunday we fancy, which given it's our closest riding venue is pretty handy. We'll be back for more coaching in the spring.Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6523672597063030282.post-19157769728874891042011-07-10T02:54:00.000-07:002011-07-10T03:00:13.082-07:00Cwm Carn donwhillWe have often moaned about the disappointing final descent on the Cwm Carn Twych trail. So we decided to see what the <a href="http://cwmdown.co.uk/cwmcarn-trails">Downhill trails </a>had to offer. From the Twych trail - leave the trail at the point where there's a short, sharp uphill concrete section. Go along the forest drive. I can't remember the way exactly, but the Cwm Down minibus passes fairly frequntley so follow that..... We picked the easiest downhill and concluded that it wasn't too mental and could be ridden by me on my hardtail. Certianly a better finish than the cross country trail, though probably best experienced by payign for a day of uplift!Alison Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735317062179960490noreply@blogger.com0