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The Dark
Back on the bikes for the next flatter and more rideable section, the trail ducks under a low canopy of pines so dense that even at midday it was hard to see far in front. We shot down here at silly speeds trusting it was alright as we were tailing our fearless local guide. Finally the trail spits you out on to a grassy patch and our profuse accolades for this crazy descent were sadly unprintable. Best advice is to take fresh brake pads and go easy, you have been warned. Through a gate and the trail is so indistinct we were off it altogether. Thirty mph across long grass is a real gamble, but we made it in one piece down to the ford at the bottom. To the left of the ford the water tumbles in to a deep brook and is spanned by an ancient looking rough-hewn plank.

Sorry, what is the difference between a brook and a trail?

The Plank
I just had to try and ride over it, a couple of false starts and I went for it, my front wheel rolled surely across, but the rear wheel had other ideas. Slipping wildly it scrabbled for traction on the very edge of the plank, with a desperate lunge I made the other bank safely, much to the disappointment of the gathered crew of bikers. You'll probably make it easily on a dry day, let us know how you got on! A deeply rutted grassy track then leads to a steep tarmac descent, beware this road has a closed gate ' this led to some extreme deceleration and wild, underwear-challenging manoeuvres. A final steep tarmac climb and descent lead back to Machynlleth and a mountain of the finest tropical fruit trifle we have ever come across, at the Quarry Caf'. Tell them we recommended it, you'll like it almost as much as the local trails, if our experience is anything to go by.

Print Text! the whole feature in text only form.

Want another route to do when you've done the Machs ? We recommend you try the Happy Valley. 15 miles long and sweet as a nut.

The start of The Chute - Video

The Details
News from the trail organisers can be found at mach-off-road.org.uk or you can e-mail your address details to david@mach-off-road.org.uk to receive the really very good information leaflet and trail guide.

Location
Machynlleth is 17 miles North of Aberystwyth and 15 miles South of Dolgellau at the junction of the A487 and A489. It's only 20 miles from Coed y Brenin. Map Here

Map Reading
Both the Mach 2 and 3 go off the East side of the OS Outdoor Leisure 23. Take care when reading the leaflet printed map, as the route highlighting makes it difficult to tell the difference between a tarmac road and a trail on the ground. Those of us without perfect vision will be better off transferring the route to the Outdoor Leisure 23 and Explorer 215 maps. It would be possible to get very lost without them.

Accommodation
Can be found by calling the Tourist Information Office on 01654 702401.

Greenstiles Cycles
The mountain bike and outdoor pursuit shop in Machynlleth is a must when visiting the town. Adult mountain bikes can be hired here for £12 per day, £8 per half day. NB Closed on Sundays October to Easter. Tel 01654 703543

Other Mach Routes
Mach2
14 miles of steep ascending and fast descending this is a tough route for the distance.
Mach1
The easy introduction to the kind of biking Machynlleth has to offer. 10 miles.

New Singletrack to Open Next Year
A network of Coed y Brenin style singletrack is currently being developed to the North of the river Dyfi and should be opening in the Spring 2002. We'll be there to check it out and report back of course.

Official Opening Ceremony
The official opening of the trail network is to be on the weekend of the 22/23rd September. The trails can be ridden from now however.