Machynlleth Mach 3    Back to: Machynlleth Feature      Home

Machynlleth lies a scant 20 miles from Coed y Brenin and is an old market town, spectacularly endowed with quality caf's and an excellent bike shop in the form of Greenstiles Cycles. Situated in the centre of the town near the clock tower, Greenstiles has become the hub of a network of superb way-marked mountain bike trails. We set off on the Mach3, the longest and toughest of these on a warm and showery day in the late summer. We got to know Andy our guide for the day and local bike mechanic as we warmed up on the tarmac heading South out of town. Ever seen the start to the channel 5 series 'Hercules'? 'when the gods were petty and cruel'' The Rain and Sun God were having a real belly laugh at us that day. As we began the climb in earnest the sun popped out and up went the mercury. Cresting the first grassy hill the sign points left over the grass and I could have killed for a sun shade; a sun lounger and an iced drink wouldn't have hurt either.
The Gods
As soon as the trail looked like heading downward a watery behemoth would slide silently over the sun and chilling drops of drizzle would patter on our misted plastic glasses. 'Don't forget to tell me when the downhill's coming so I can turn on the helmet camera' I cautioned for the first of many times. But it was a case of 'rain stopped play' as we slithered down a grassy forest singletrack in all kinds of trouble. I managed a sad tumble on a tight left hander, hurting only my pride and leaving a mountain biker shaped imprint in the wet turf. The lads later referred to this (at length) as 'The place where Gareth fell off' as if you could give directions by it. The sun came out again (Ha Ha') to herald the beginning of a climb which would seem long even to Lance Armstrong and Co. This is part of the Mach 3 plan however, if you don't like riding a bike up mountains, you're on the wrong trail out here.
The Headache
The weather gods had been busy for a week at least before we arrived, some of the puddles on the route could have doubled as boating lakes and challenged a Landrover with a raised exhaust pipe. I'm also confident the Welsh words for 'trail' and 'stream' are similar, there was certainly an identity crisis in the chosen route of the day. Turning right and through a small hill farm outpost, leads on in to a region which feels as remote as any in Wales. With no roads in site and no buildings to speak of, surrounded by grassy peaks it's reminiscent of the remote Black Mountains. We love this sort of place. A slog up a peaty trail, rideable if you can find the energy, leads to a second grassy climb then on to a double track with fabulous views across a steep sided valley, to a spectacular waterfall. We stopped to take some photographs and shot past Lenseman who snapped away happily. Then we shot off down a slightly dodgy rutted slate doubletrack and waited round the corner for our photo-buddy. We waited too long then shot back up the same trail to find Lenseman nursing a headache after some serious trail denting. A big hole in the trail here was the culprit, worth watching out for when you go. As soon as The Lens could walk in a straight line and recite his 'F' stops we set off for the top of the soon to be infamous 'Chute'.
The Chute
A gate guards the top of this solid welsh slate forest road. We were running short of brake pad rubber but determined to get some good video footage in the can. Fools that we are we let go the brakes and attacked the first left hand bend. Off camber wet slate provides little grip so drifting off to the side was a dead cert. Crashing through low branches I made it round the first two bends but found it impossible to slow down. Increased braking caused wild sliding, crashing on the slate at speed was unthinkable. I decided to hang on and just ride the loose rock field ahead, rain soaked branches made vision and video blur which was good. I couldn't see the sharp rocks I might land on' Eventually I hauled the bike to a standstill just in time to video our gallant guide Andy plunging down a huge hole by a fallen tree. We were all so stoked up we just garbled on at each other whilst Andy got up and appeared remarkably unscathed.
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.
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.
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.