Bacon butties, top coffee, corporate capers and kids parties - it`s all going off at Coed Llandegla
Greedy swines that we are, we took a trip up to Coed Llandegla the other week to check out just how good their award winning bacon butties were. We left seriously impressed with far more than just their sizzling sarnies though.
Coed Llanedgla is all privately funded and founders Ian and Jim decided to reverse the normal trend of building the headline grabbing black and red routes first in favour of creating a strong base of family and beginner riding. With a background of introducing everyone from corporate groups to kids to mountain biking and leaving them itching to come back for more, they set up Coed Llandegla the same way. The 8km green route certainly isn’t free from challenges, but steady grades and wide trails leave more margin for error and inexperienced group riding. Perfect for the gaggle of architects we saw having a great day or the several family groups and a Kona hire fleet means you’ll be well taken care of bike wise.
The team have now added a superb red route and black sections to the tamer starter loop now, and even the most experienced mountain bikers will come back grinning from ear to ear – especially after the last set of jumps at the back of the centre! In fact we enjoyed it so much we rode it twice, getting back the second time in the pitch dark, but with a stunning sunset over towards Snowdonia still fresh in our minds.
The stunning eco friendly centre with it’s log construction and sky high open beam roof , is not just another slightly cheesey ‘Fat Face’ style marketing facia either. We arrived at 7.30am when the sun was just firing it’s first rays over the shoulder of Offa’s Dyke and searing them into the forest at ankle height, and we were still sat around having “just one more coffee” when they were trying to shut 12 hours later. Huge screen showing the latest MTB DVDs, big comfy couches and a fantastic bike shop to get your wallet itching or replace that vital thing that’s still in the garage at home. It really is an ideal place to get yourself together after driving there, or collapse and relive the glory moments and nearly gory moments of the ride you`ve just finished.
The centre also has a dedicated, fully equipped meeting room for conferences, presentations, and even kids parties. A perfect end to a blast round the trails with birthday bairns - and a great way to encourage grommets to get on their bikes more regularly.
Anyway, check out the pictures, helmet cam video’s and details of the leadership, training, adventure and kids party services they offer at www.coedllandegla.com or better still just get yourself up to Wrexham to meet Emma, Jim, Ian and crew and find out how good the centre is yourself.
By the way if you`re still wondering, we can confirm the bacon butties are something truly special too!
MBWales.com crew