Afan Argoed

On Monday 16 February, Hedd, Nev and Ed headed down to Afan Argoed in South Wales for a day of great biking, great weather and truely awful banter!

With a sausage butty fueled early start from Hedd's house, we were on the road before 7am and that meant an impressive arrival time of 9:30am at the Glyncorrwg mountain bike centre. In the morning we tackled the White's level trail which was fantastic fun, including the black section and the new 'energy' section.

Nev on the White's Level climb

The climb was hard work, but Ed didn't seem to be feeling it at all. All that 'snow biking' must have done him some good!

Nev at the bottom of the White's level black run

The black run was great fun as usual with everyone riding pretty well and with the weather picking up it was turning into a very enjoyable trip!

Ed tackling the jump that Ross previously struggled with on White's level

We all found some pace on the next section, and stopped near the windfarm to take full advantage of the photo opportunity. We then headed for the new 'energy' section which was an excellent addition with some tabletops and tight singletrack sections. We all had our moments along here with spills for Hedd and Nev and a diversion into the brambles for Ed.

In no time at all we were back at the cafe. The sun was shining and we were able to go for some al fresco dining (for reference, when they say spicy potatoes, they mean spicy potatoes!).

Nev and Ed enjoying the sunshine

Here's a map of our White's level route: http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=4242. Distance: 10.33 miles (16.62km) Ascent: 1428 feet (435m).

After lunch and a quick look around the bikeshop, we headed out to do part of the Skyline route known as July. This involved repeating the White's level climb and then heading off along some fireroads to find some more singletrack.

Ed finds the snow on July

This route took us a little higher than White's level which meant we found a bit of snow to play in. Whilst this route was enjoyaable, the lack of recent biking was begining to tell and we were all tiring. It was at this points that Nev's luck ran out. He'd been struggliing with his eggbeater pedals for a while, when he lost one of them on the trailside, leaving him with just a single bar to balance his right foot on. This couldn't have come at a worse time as we headed for the last downhill of the day.

Ed on the steps at the top of the last downhill of the day

Nev struggles with a single pedal on the final downhill

We got back to the car without further incident and headed home. We all agreed it had been a great day's biking with the weather making it feel as though spring was on the way!

Here's a map of our July route: http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=4243. Distance: 13.50 miles (21.72km) Ascent: 1923 feet (586m).

Coed-Y-Brenin

Despite a weather forecast promising very low temperatures, Nev and Hêdd got an early start and headed to Coed-Y-Brenin on Sunday 1 February. We were away by 6.30am and this meant clear roads and a 9am ride start time!

Nev makes a less than convincing start on "Cain"

The route was an attempt to put together the best bits of the man made trails with some more natural stuff and worked pretty well.

Nev at the bottom of the first natural section

We hadn't riden the first natural section before and it was good fun, with some (really!) tight switchbacks and a rather worrying drop to the right.

Nev at the bottom of "False Teeth"

The weather was cold, but we were prepared and it didn't concern us too much. We even saw a little sunshine from time to time!

Nev negotiates a large boulder on the second natural section - "The Edge"

The full route can be viewed with this link: http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=3885