Ultimate trails supplement in MBUK gives rave reviews to Welsh trails.
The Trailmaster series has been running in MBUK for a couple of years now. Each month top trail builder and photographer Russ Burton gives his expert review of a different trail centre in Britain - often with stinging honesty. It's all love and kisses for the Welsh trails though, with no less than seven out of fourteen featured in his 'ulitmate trails' listing (England gets five in, Scotland only 2).
The mag and free supplement are on sale now (it looks ace and makes an ideal glovebox guide to each centre) but here's some snippets of his words on Wales:
Twrch Trail, Cwm Carn
"boasts some of the best singeltrack you'll find anywhere" "The descent home is exposed, fast and not for the feint-hearted, but it's gorgeous and skinny and flows all the way."
Tarw Trail, Coed-y-Brenin
"Every MTBer should ride here." "The challenging, steppy, rocky, Snap, Crackle and Pop sections are some of my all-time favourites to ride....."
Penmachno, North Wales
"a simple, swoopy, well constructed trail that comes close to cross country perfection." "flowing as it does from smooth contour to rock, to slabby outcrops and back again to natural surface it's an incredibly intense ride." "There isn't anyone who rides here and doesn't vow to come back."
White's Level, Glyncorrwg
White's Level is a cross-country geek's dream, and it's becoming popular with downhillers too. Either way it's a stunner." "It's designed to be ridden hard and ridden right and it gets better and better with increasing mastery of your singletrack technique.
The Wall, Afan
"the overall route is as perfect as you could hope to get" "Steep side slopes, swooping singletrack, pixie trails through the trees, rocky drops and stunning views - The Wall has it all."
Gorlech Trail, Brechfa forest
"It's a trail with two distinct personalities - one very natural with flowing cross country, the other deliberately man made pushing the envelope of cross country skills."
Llandegla, Wrexham
"Picture perfect and great for all abilities" "the friendliest cafe in the world""It's so fun to ride that you won't ever do so and come away miserable."