|
Post by chocko on Dec 3, 2012 9:51:24 GMT
Hi there, Heading to your part of the world soon and would love to come up to ride the north wales trails before xmas. Just joined to find some advice on trails, warm weather gear and anything else I need to know to survive the awesome trails up there!
|
|
|
Post by Ross on Dec 3, 2012 14:13:41 GMT
Waterproof's for sure
Take your pic trails they are all brilliant to me. Example:
Llandegla ( Purpose built trail centre with Cafe has a Blue,Red and Black trails )
Marin Trail ( Not to sure about history ect ect but it doesn't have a Cafe, Very good mind and i find the trails a little smoother to ride on a hard tail)
Penmachno trail ( Has 2 loops you can either do loop 1 or both 1+2 some very natural parts can be well in the open cold and wet ( No trail head with Cafe)
Coed-y-Brenin ( Proper trail centre and some very good trails haven't been there in a long time though)
And you will also find mile after mile of natural xc riding to do.
Were will you be staying?
Somebody else may give you more info on the trails if needed
|
|
Bazzle
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 219
|
Post by Bazzle on Dec 3, 2012 15:21:50 GMT
good info Ross...
|
|
|
Post by chocko on Dec 3, 2012 21:31:29 GMT
Hey guys, Thanks for the quick reply. I am looking for some nice flowy trails with plenty of technical stuff. Back home I generally ride XC/FR. I would love to do some downhill but I can only bring one bike so I don't think that will be possible on this trip unless I can hire something close by If I was going to hire a downhill bike I would have to have some amazing DH to ride preferably being shuttled I will need to get myself some water proof gear as advised, if anyone has reccomendations I would love to hear them. I leave Australia very soon so I dont think I will have time to do a CRC order. Over here shops are very expensive, is it the same there?? I think I can claim the VAT back when I leave which should make it cheaper. I also need some advice on tyres as I am generally riding dry sandy and rocky terrain here so I think I need some mud tyres for my time over there. Any reccomendations will be much appreciated. I am driving down from lancashire and have no idea where so stay, I only have a few days so I am looking for somewhere I can get loads of riding done and have a few beers with the locals in the evening. Will really appreciate any help you guys can throw my way
|
|
|
Post by Oggy on Dec 3, 2012 22:38:12 GMT
To be honest your best bet would be to stay somwhere like Betws y Coed, loads of riding on your door step and all the places Ross mentioned are very close, nice little town to Not sure what budget you are on but there are nice hotels, b and b's and also a hostel which it very nice to. Let us know when you are in the area and if im free ill happily guide you for the day, i can show you some of the best natural routes we have to offer and have a chat to you about which of the man made stuff you might like to ride while your down. I work all week so am only about on the weekends You can have it as techy as you like As for tyres, no need for full on mud tyres but something with a bit deeper tread than you are running now im guessing. Personal faves of mine are conti rubber queens but there are loads of tyres that will be fine, high rollers, ignitors, mountain kings, the list is endless, if you post up what you are thinking of then we can tell you if they work well around here or not Ive heard prices in Aus are real high so you will prob find it a bit cheaper over here, not that cheap tho
|
|
|
Post by chocko on Dec 4, 2012 8:21:27 GMT
Accommodation budget is not too tight (exchange rate is good) and I am going to need a warm dry place to stay as I am not used to this cold weather stuff I was looking at the biker retreat however could not really get an idea of what the rooms are like. I'm going to be up there from around the 18th until the 22nd still figuring out exact dates. Would be awesome to catch up with some locals, really appreciate the offer!! Ill confirm dates first and get back to you. With regards to tyres I have so many laying around it seems silly buying more but at the same time anything that can help me have a better time is money well spent I have some 2.3 Kenda Nevegals that I was going to throw on, I have specialized captains & purgatory that I ride on a lot over here. I have a Panaracer XC fire pro that I recall being rated as a good mud Tyre when I purchased it, Maxxis Larsens, ignitors, advance andI'm sure there are others laying around Looking forward to the trip, thanks again for all the help!
|
|
|
Post by buffypara on Dec 4, 2012 8:59:35 GMT
There are plenty of people on this forum who ride Panaracer fire XC pro all year round
|
|
|
Post by Oggy on Dec 4, 2012 17:31:11 GMT
Any of them tyres will be fine really, 2.3 nevs will be fine, i like to run 2.35 ignitors on the rear
|
|
|
Post by chocko on Dec 11, 2012 5:29:45 GMT
I was looking at staying in Dolgellau, is betws y coed a nicer place to stay? I am there to ride but I also want somewhere to hang out in the evening and mingle with the locals over a beer or two. Obviously I'd like to stay somewhere that caters to MTB riders too so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
|
|
|
Post by GazEvo on Dec 11, 2012 17:21:46 GMT
Dolgellau is ok but there is also Porthmadog too. But there is not much in coed y brenin.
|
|
|
Post by GazEvo on Dec 11, 2012 17:23:04 GMT
Sorry Betws y coed is a nice great place with loads of pubs and great locals.
|
|
|
Post by chocko on Dec 11, 2012 19:51:38 GMT
loads of pubs and great locals. Sold! I'll look for place to stay there then :-)
|
|
|
Post by GazEvo on Dec 11, 2012 20:21:54 GMT
When u looking at going there.
|
|
|
Post by Oggy on Dec 11, 2012 21:34:49 GMT
Betws is your best bet, some excellent riding on your door step especially if you know where to look and its also pretty central to any other places you may want to ride.
|
|
|
Post by chocko on Nov 9, 2014 9:05:47 GMT
Well 2 years ago I started this thread but I didnt make it to wales as my trip was cancelled at the last minute. So firstly thank you for all the help and sorry its taken me long to come back and say thank you. Good news for me is that im heading back UK so I am planning to do some riding in north wales in early Jan. Just planning the trip now, will probably stay somewhere within the vincinity of coed y brenin and hoping to do a bit of exporing for the week I am up there. Trying to decide on tyres at the moment 1: WTB vigalante 2.3 front and rear. 2: WTB vigilante 2.3 front and something smoother on rear. 3: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 front and WTB vigilante 2.3 rear. I run this last combo at home and its awesomley overkill But wondering if the width + weight + mud up there is going to make it a burden to pedal around with? Anyhow looking forward to riding north wales and if there is a chance to catch up with some locals that would be great!
|
|