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Just planning my annual summer mtb trip - 3 days starting in North Wales.
Day 1 is based around the Climach X trail - with some dives down various bits of off piste we found before / anything else we find in the time we have available.
Day2 is Dyfi Bike Park
Day3 is up for debate. We’ve previously done Mach 3 (gross - endless climbing and no decent downhill) and something in Shropshire that was distinctly an XC slog with not very good descents.
I’ve never ridden Nant Y Arian, Hopton or Eastridge. Or in the Elan Valley. Most of my riding is FOD / Cwmcarn / Mendips / bits around Bristol.
I don’t like a full xc slog, but I don’t mind climbing if the downhills make up for it. My favourite trail centres are Cwmcarn and Brechfa. Not a fan of Llandegla and I’m a bit meh about CyB.
Of the above which sounds like it might fit the bill? I like a flowy red trail centre descent as much as the next person, but I also like some jumps / not too crazy drops / tech etc.
Eastridge is fab and way better than the Climachx/Dyfi stuff IMO.
Only done a bit of the XC loop there, but the off-piste and old-school DH tracks are brilliant fun.
I must go back there myself.
Eastridge has a bit of everything including steep and the option to make into more of an scenic xc ride. Personally I prefer Hopton over Eastridge and Nant Y Arian.
1 vote for Eastridge / 1 vote for Hopton then!
Hopton had a load of trees down in the last few storms so may be worth checking up if they’ve been cleared if you go there. I prefer hopton over eastridge but bucknall, which is next to hopton is miles better than both of those so I’d go there!
Anyone got any routes for eastridge or Bucknell? Did the pearce uplift at bucknell but not been and done any xc there
Hopton XC is clear, I rode it last week but a few of the DH runs are still blocked with fallen trees. I prefer Hopton XC to Eastridge as I find it flows a lot better. YMMV. Have a look on Pearce Cycles websites as they may be doing uplifts at Hopton/Bucknell/Bringewood.
Hopton XC is clear, I rode it last week but a few of the DH runs are still blocked with fallen trees. I prefer Hopton XC to Eastridge as I find it flows a lot better. YMMV. Have a look on Pearce Cycles websites as they may be doing uplifts at Hopton/Bucknell/Bringewood.
We do both regularly and they are very different, both brilliant. There is a lot of new stuff at Eastridge and a lot more than you can do in one visit. There are a large number of mega steep technical trails, a lot of which require 100 % commitment unless you want to exit by the front door. There is some fast stuff, but not many jumps, it’s all about the steep tech really. Park at Snailbeach Village Hall and try the many trails on that side, worth noting it’s a pretty serious climb up to the top. I personally wouldn’t bother with the marked red / black other than to link sections together. Lots of classic runs!
Hopton and Bucknell are brilliant and generally a lot faster with more jumps and drops but some pretty decent tech too. I love the first section of the red at Hopton then some full top to bottom runs; the bottom third especially (that lots of people don’t do because of the climb back up), I really like. Bucknell has tons of great stuff too, but I don’t feel like I’ve scratched the surface there, some long fast tracks.
If you are doing Dyfi, and if you like difficult steep tech, I would go for Eastridge, as it’s a bit different. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them though! 🙂
Sounds like that whole area has great trails so we can’t go wrong whichever we pick in that case. Awesome thanks all
Just revisiting this now as we’re away this weekend.
Friday is Climach X - I still have a route from 2 years ago with off piste sections which I think we’ll aim to do and see if much else there / we have time for any exploring.
Sat is Dyfi Bike Park.
Thinking about the Sunday and either East Ridge va Hopton. My mate is nervous about Dyfi so I think he might appreciate an easier time on the Sunday both physically and in terms of challenging stuff.
Which do we think might be the easier option in terms of less death defying stuff? XC route at Hopton worth a look (not that I’ll enjoy pedalling round that on a 36lb bike with DH casing tyres and a coil shock, but hey).
I think your friend would prefer Hopton… the best stuff at Eastridge is a bit spicy, especially if you’re tired. More chill and flow at Hopton or Bucknell.
Yeah Hopton be best , if it's looking a bit tame do a couple of the downhill tracks .
Of the two I've only been to Eastridge on the way home from BPW, and then only done the Red Loop I think but the the thing that struck me, was the way it changes as you move round the area. Bits of it felt like my local woods in Calderdale but towards the end it felt like the Lakes.
Oh, and from memory, don't do the first part of the loop, it was a big climb just to add some distance I think.
Sounding like Hopton probably the best bet in this scenario. Thanks chaps.