What is the technical level of the riding ?
The difficulty of the trails varies depending on location
and trail, but each centre has an easy beginner option
and most have a series of routes which offer increasing
technical and physical challenges. The nature of the
riding is explained on the centre pages and at the centres
themselves, and useful tips are provided in the "Ride
Right" pages for each centre.
What are the trails like ?
Each Centre
has a different blend of trails and tracks. Some use
purpose built technical singletrack, some use gravely
forest roads. Some use existing rights of way which
can be muddy, grassy or rocky trails ranging from narrow
mountain sheep track to broad green lanes. Each Centre
page will give you more information about what to expect,
but if it's been chosen you're guaranteed a superb ride.
What should I ride and what should I wear ?
Different 'Mountain Biking Wales' centres have different
characters, so each centre page has a 'Ride Right' page
full of advice on how to get the best from your trip
by bringing the right kit.
What is the weather like ?
Welsh weather is pretty similar to English weather,
athough in mountain regions it can be more changeable.
For up to date forecasts try a weather website such
as www.bbc.co.uk/weather/
However, remember the trails have been constructed
and chosen to offer excellent riding all year round.
Do I need to be able to map read ?
Most of the Mountain biking Wales trails use way marker
posts to keep you on track, but purpose made trail maps
are available - see the contacts page for each centre
Conventional OS map reading is a useful skill in remote
areas such as Nant-y-Arian or the longer Machynlleth
routes where you may need to plan a short cut. Remember
that purpose built forestry single track may not be
marked, and forest roads will sometimes have changed.
How are the trails built ?
The singletrack sections at Gwydyr Forest, Coed-y-Brenin,
Nant-y-Arian and Afan Argoed are all hand built, often
on heavily wooded, boulder strewn and waterlogged slopes.
The professional and volunteer trail teams have been
working for years to perfect their trail building techniques
to suit the conditions at each Centre. First the ground
is surveyed to decide the best route, taking in viewpoints
or avoiding cliffs and other hazards and making sure
they won't cause erosion during winter. The trail crews
and designers are all experienced mountain bikers too,
that way you can be sure that the finished article will
be great to ride.
The trail is then marked and construction begun. In
some areas it's just a matter of clearing the trees,
undergrowth and topsoil out of the way while in others
the trail has to be dug metres into swampy hillside,
right down to the bedrock. In these areas the trail
bed then has to be built up with tons of rocks and logs
manhandled into place with crowbars and motorised wheelbarrows,
often miles from anywhere.
Don't expect dull sanitised trails either. Natural
technical features - roots, step downs and carefully
constructed switchbacks are built in to create exciting
and technical, yet flowing riding that's a challenge
at any skill level.
The result is superb trails that last for years under
the wheels of hundreds of thousands of bikers. So remember
when you're having the ride of your life that the swooping,
rolling, twisting trails used to be totally impenetrable
forest.
How can I help with the trail building ?
The trail building crews are always looking for volunteers
to help build the trails. For further information contact
dafydd.davies@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
01341 422289
Are the trails ever closed ?
Occasionally trails around Centres will have sections
closed for maintenance or forestry purposes. Mountain
biking or other sporting or recreational events also
sometimes make use of the facilities. These will always
be planned to minimise disruption of the trails but
please respect any warning or closure signs and use
the diversions shown.
How can I contact MBWales.com ?
If you have any questions, ideas for the site or just
fancy a chat about Mountain Biking in Wales you can
email us on: mbw.master@wales.gsi.gov.uk
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