|
Back
to Page 1
Fun
Climbing?
Following the riverside trail takes you on past Ty'n-y-groes car park then on tarmac to the best singletrack climb I know. This little gem can be hit at top speed from the tarmac before hopping up a smooth rock step then soon negotiating a solid rock left hander with a good drop to the right. Two thirds of the way through the section is the most difficult part for those looking to clean it (all of us?). A hop over a large root leads to a ten foot climb up tree roots which will have many struggling. If you make it up here keep your speed for a jump over a tiny stream crossing and exit out on to the tarmac again. The next two short sweet off-road sections are included to cut off two tarmac left hand bends. The first is a mad off-piste double drop through the trees to the bridge, see if you can find it directly opposite the exit to the singletrack, up a small bank. Over the bridge and another challenge, hit the bank on the left with just the right speed and you cruise up on to a natural trail which climbs up parallel to the tarmac, then bears left and drops you out higher up. This is another seriously steep and blissfully short tarmac wall which leads to a left at the crossroads then right and in to climbing mode proper.
Fallen
Bridge
A long climb on a good surface with fantastic views follows. Eventually this brings you to the brilliant Plunge pool singletrack. With a grassy start and ominous 'Path in Dangerous Condition' sign the trail dips through a crossing stream before turning right ninety and getting steep and narrow. Some work has been done here, as this precarious trail fell off the mountain once and for a year or so had to be portaged for safety. Steep and earthy with sliding stones you soon see the narrow waterfall which gives this descent it's name. Don't look too hard or you won't make the first left turn and it's a long way down. If you make the first turn twenty yards drops you to a right hand off camber you need to cut tight. Finally you reach the fallen footbridge and climb down it's length before lifting the bikes up the bank at the other side. Around the corner passing the famous ant hills that give the next section it's name the 'Ant Trail' a steep rocky descent levels and narrows to a short foot wide section with a steep drop to the left.
|
Scary Ants
After shooting up a ten foot hump and dodging through the cutaway fallen tree the trail climbs a little. It's by this time that you may have discovered the Ant Trail's deadly secret. When damp it's leafy surface can still be ridden at top speed, until you brake. Then all hell breaks loose with wild sideways wandering and leftwards floating, the steep left hand bank gets closer' I've ridden off the edge myself, in an impossible and desperate lunge I somehow managed to ride along the bank just off the side of the trail, then back up on to the path again. Reminiscent of Mickey Mouse mid air scrambling that crazy manoeuvre saved my skin. At it's end the Ant Trail crosses a quiet tarmac road and dives down to a second larger plunge pool, somewhat changed in the recent flash flood. At wet times of the year a second waterfall plunges from the right end of the cliff, look out for it. Over this picturesque footbridge and engage granny ring for a short, steep do-able pitch then up on to the fire road and the short climb to the Dolfrwnog Tea Garden. Even in the Winter stopping here is a must with Bara Brith (buttered fruit loaf with ginger) and chocolate cake, tea and coffee just what a biker needs. A
Red Bull to Finish?
Just what you'll need to get you up the next climb which is a bit of a toughie! Make sure the cake has settled a little before cruising off up the tarmac wall of a climb. A quick diversion up the Karrimor leads on to a short cut to the top of the epic Hermon descent. Needing no introduction to many the five singletrack sections of this titanic tumble total 1700 feet of tight, tortuous descending. The final section drops steeply to the riverside road leaving brake pads and muscles wasted. Back over the slippery footbridge and a quick forest road dash to the final section of singletrack. Down to the river you go with hidden rocks in the long grass on this often overgrown trail. A steep drop brings you to a crossing of a very rocky stream out-flow. Hit this with conviction and stay loose and you can get across without a dab, then through the picnic site, up a rooty do-able climb and left over the bridge to finish on the main road opposite the CyB entrance. Those of you who need to stop at the caf' do so now, yah wimps! We ride up the main entrance road then continue on past the car park straight up the tarmac road, first left on here puts you on the Red Bull immediately after the woodsy singletrack climb, lovely.
More Pictures
from the Pink Heifer:
The Dragon's Tail
Four views of the Plunge Pool
Descent
Three views on the Hermon in Winter, with the surface washed
away...
Print Text!
the
whole feature in text only form.
|
