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Post by Craigy Boy on Aug 31, 2009 18:42:55 GMT
just woundering has anyone done this loop? it was in mbr the other month in the wild wales issue and it said it was a really good run.
anyone fancy doing it sometime soon?
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Post by danevs on Aug 31, 2009 18:56:51 GMT
There're a few threads floating about on this one mate. Jus and I did it last year and it was ok (highlight was the phallic icicles  ) but a lot of climbing/hiking for a pretty tame grass downhill in the main. Final descent is ok but ideally it needs a bit extra. Stick a post up in the rides section, I'll come do it again if you like? Need to be after 13th Sept though, on hols till then.  Link to thread northwalesmtb.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ridedays&thread=1323&page=1Loving those pics, need to get up there in the depths of winter again. |
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Post by summittoppler on Aug 31, 2009 18:59:47 GMT
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Post by Craigy Boy on Aug 31, 2009 19:00:19 GMT
ok mate i'll have the work van after then so if you want a lift for it let me know.
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Post by flattyres on Sept 1, 2009 5:57:54 GMT
I've done it and I really like it. There is a link to my route guide on the routes section of this website. You might notice that my route goes anti-clockwise so the "pretty tame grass downhill" is a climb. It is a long drag but there are plenty of gates to have a rest at and then you get a rocky blast down to Pont Scethin
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Post by danevs on Sept 1, 2009 8:23:13 GMT
I've done it and I really like it. There is a link to my route guide on the routes section of this website. You might notice that my route goes anti-clockwise so the "pretty tame grass downhill" is a climb. It is a long drag but there are plenty of gates to have a rest at and then you get a rocky blast down to Pont Scethin So that means you miss the final descent back to the village including the great woodsy bit in favor of riding back down the tarmac!   Even the rocky descent down to the bridge if you're running the route backwards doesn't make sense that way around.  I'm certainly of the persuasion that a tarmac climb is a means to an end but to me a tarmac descent is just utterly pointless/soul destroying and to be avoided at all costs!!! |
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Post by flattyres on Sept 1, 2009 13:49:22 GMT
There are some nice woodsy descents on my route and no big tarmac descents. Check out my route guide and you'll see what I mean ;D. As a general rule I try to put the fun stuff as descents and the stuff with gates on as climbs. Anyone who has done one of my rides will be able to tell you what sort of routes I put together. I totally agree tha tarmac descents are best avoided, unless there is a HUGE payback afterwards I can't comment on the MBR route as I haven't seen it |
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Post by Doug on Sept 1, 2009 14:32:41 GMT
Got to agree with the flatyres route as the best way of doing it. By making the figurte 8 at the northern end you get the woodsy singletrack and get to do the route the 'better' way round out on the open sections.
It's even better when you use the higher up trails on the South side of the Mawddach to get to Barmouth rather than the relatively dull Mawddach trail.
A few GR's to show you the route I took.
Dolgellau -SH 707 166 - SH 683 160 - SH 688 149 - SH 654 133 - SH 648 138 - SH 645 140 - SH 637 141.
All legal as well which makes a change for a route of mine I also tend to park in the carpark at point 15 on the flattyres route or in Bontddu and do the tarmac section into Dol at the beginning of the ride as it's a PIA at the end of the ride. Alternatively, park at 15 and ride head down the road towards Barmouth but use the wooden toll bridge to get over the estuary and onto the Mawddach trail before heading to Dol for the higher level route to Barmouth or turning right to go along the Mawddach trail. To make a much shorter version of the loop more in line with the 'traditional' Pont Scethin route just head straight down the road from Bontddu to Barmouth. The 'traditional' Pont Scethin route from Dyffryn Ardydwy or Tal Y Bont isnt worth the effort of driving over from Wrexham in either direction IMO.
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Post by flattyres on Sept 7, 2009 15:51:08 GMT
Thanks for the vote of confidence in my route Doug ;D
I've noted down your high route and will ride it some time before adding it to my route guides, cheers ;D. I have had a route planned for a while taking in the trails to Llwyngwril. I'll probably tack it on to that and come back to Dolgellau on the Mawddach Trail. It will then cross over my Pont Scethin route so I can do my usual and say that the routes can be combined, which will leave people free to do the high route or the Mawddach Trail.
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) but a lot of climbing/hiking for a pretty tame grass downhill in the main. Final descent is ok but ideally it needs a bit extra.
Even the rocky descent down to the bridge if you're running the route backwards doesn't make sense that way around. 
