[Closed] New trails at Cwmcarn?

hi rowan working on dh last wk,xc not going to be finished till late december or early jan

went yesterday, saw a few changes and the possibility of new bits but nothing finished yet so its the same route as always.

aha, great info- one to save for later in the winter then...!?

Cwmdown just posted this on facebook

Cwmdown
OK, the new DH and XC trails are pretty much finished. I'm guessing they might be opening some time in Feb, but I've not had any official updates from NRW (FC) yet. Meeting Bob the ranger tomorrow so will hopefully be able to update you after that. I'm not sure yet what the plan is with regards to uplifting the new DH track, as it's on the other hill. So currently we cannot uplift both tracks at the same time. I'll give you some more info as I get it. Darrell.

😀

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So are these in addition to the existing twrch and DH tracks or replacements?

Additions, are on the other hill

You will not be disappointed with the new xc loop.

Anyone know the length of the new loop ?

So they built a track the can't uplift on?!

jim, no its just on the other side of the valley so its a different route up

There will be an up lift service running for the new DH and xc tracks. The new xc track is longer than the Twrch trail and has a good old climb to it. The boys building it have done a great job. It's very different than the Twrch trail, just what the area needed.

How's problems with people riding it Rhys? Seen people on it everyday as I walk the dogs there, really wanna confront them but then if you never know who's had permission and who's not.
All looking really good though!!

Hope the XC trail isn't too much like the new bits of the Penhydd at Afan.

The trail is waiting on the Forestry commission to put the signs up. Other than that its good to go. I've bin reliably informed.

All sounds exciting. I have been wondering what the hell they're going to do for uplifts.

If you're wondering why they didn't build a second DH on the same hill as the first one, ... somebody should have asked that question several years ago when they built Y Mynydd! But as it stands afaik the new DH is a revamp of the original Cwmcarn one, which has always been hidden away in the woods opposite the uplifted Y Mynydd DH. Hence the decision to focus on that now as I'd guess it's a lot less work than cutting a completely new line opposite.

More info on Cwmdown's FB page.

Pleased to say standards have improved in the café too.

If you're wondering why they didn't build a second DH on the same hill as the first one, ... somebody should have asked that question several years ago when they built Y Mynydd

+1 for info - didn't know that 🙂

It's very different than the Twrch trail, just what the area needed.

when we say very different, do you mean glorified BMX track with berms and boardwalks and that sort of crap?

Excited!

when we say very different, do you mean glorified BMX track with berms and boardwalks and that sort of crap?

Shouldn't you at least ride it before slagging off months of work and years of planning?

Just saying like

Shouldn't you at least ride it before slagging off months of work and years of planning?

Just saying like

+1

looks nice from the fbook posts

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Im not sure how it will stand up to mrmo's all encompassing opinion on what makes a good trail though

Looks good to me!

Shouldn't you at least ride it before slagging off months of work and years of planning?

Just saying like

There has been a trend IMO recently to make trail centres in general little more than glorified bmx tracks. Personnally I have no interest in that kind of trail, hence the question. I don't give a **** if they spend £10M and 20 years planning and building it, if it is smooth as tarmac with big berms, jumps and boardwalks. I accept that others may want to ride that sort of trail but I don't.

The question remains, when someone says it is very different to the twyrch, does this mean very smooth, very rocky, when it climbs does it do so in a easy undemanding and uninteresting way. Just trying to get an idea of whether it is worth my time even bothering visiting.

edit:

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/penhydd-trail-opens-today ]http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/penhydd-trail-opens-today[/url]

Rowanish, new word, Is the new trail Rowanish?

Must admit, I'm not a fan of Rowanish trails

I think these rowanish trails have the advantage of being very hardwearing, big berms and boardwalk, stand up well to heavy use throughout the year, resist braking bumps etc

the more natural stuff tends to get chewed up quickly and not handle the large visitor numbers you see at trailcentres

if thats not yer bag you can always dig out the os map and hit up some bridleways
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I think these rowanish trails have the advantage of being very hardwearing, big berms and boardwalk, stand up well to heavy use throughout the year, resist braking bumps etc

I think they actually Mature like a fine wine Scott!

@ Kimbers
those photos look great.
less of a manicured trail.
Hope there is a solid base under it else the braking brigade will **** it all up.
i'll go soon once open to ride it as it was intended and not with nobber braking bumps in it.
you got the FB linky please?

Think the Tarw/Red Bull has lasted pretty well at CyB. Don't recall that being a BMX friendly berm-athon. More rocks less berms please

your a star kimbers, thx.

From the look of the Cwmdown pics the new trail doesn't look too Rowanish. Looks more like a "more natural" trail centre trail... Hoping it is as good as it looks!

It does doesn't it.

Speaking of which I really enjoyed the new, muddy, slightly off camber singletrack they've done at FODs Freeminer trail - was a nice mix with that and the bermtastic Verderers. Hopefully Cwmcarn will be similar.

Really excited to see the new trails- looks like a lot of hard work has gone in to the area.

Hope the XC trail isn't too much like the new bits of the Penhydd at Afan

I kind of agree. For some reason Afan doesn't do much for me. I guess the area has had a tough time keeping the trails properly open recently but I much prefer Cwm Carn. Rougher and more natural with a properly engaging climb is just the ticket 😀 That being said I haven't made it to Cwm Carn for a year now so the latest state of Twrch may not live up to my memories since the slight reworking. Nevertheless, exciting to head back and see how the trails are looking 😀

The new Cognation project funded XC and DH trails at Cwmcarn will be open to ride from Wed 19th Feb. Cwmcarn’s new Downhill Track follows the line of the old club built trail down a steep side valley in the forest. Access is via the Cafall XC trail or you can use the onsite uplift service. This trail start off with a handmade rooty section through the trees and soon picks up speed as it flows in and out of the wooded sections. There are plenty of drops and technical lines with lots of roots, rock and stumps so keep an eye out for them and make sure you know what’s on the other side before ‘sending’ any of the features. The trail finishes off with a steep and fast jumps section before arriving back at the uplift pick up point. Body armour and full face helmets are strongly advised for this Extreme graded Downhill trail.

Incase you missed it, opening on Wednesday 19th Feb. (please note, the uplift might not be running to the new DH track on this date as we need to sort a few drainage problems on the uplift route before we start, so please check back for updates).
Like · · Share · 2441 · 19 minutes ago ·

Cwmdown
The new Cognation project funded XC and DH trails at Cwmcarn will be open to ride from Wed 19th Feb. Climbing up to altitudes over 400 metres the new XC trail called 'Cafall' (after King Arthurs lead hunting hound that chased the wild boar 'Twrch') the trail gives you a real sense of adventure. With some tough climbs and tight hand built singletrack sections combined with some fantastic technical descents it’s defiantly for those with more experience. However you will be rewarded with some amazing riding and views of the surrounding area on this trail that will take you out in to some of the more remote areas of Cwmcarn Forest Park. Make sure you are self sufficient and expect weather changes on this technical (Red grade) trail.

rooty!

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Does this trail start at the same car park as the twerch?

I rode the Cafall trail today and it definitely has a more natural feel. Lots of mud, puddles, roots, rocks etc. It's quite twisty too. I really enjoyed it today but it'll be amazing once it's dry.

I tried it last night - probably not a good move since it was pitch black and foggy so I could see next to nothing. However once it dries out a bit it should be great fun. I was expecting it to be rockier like the Twrch but its definitely more natural and so my Ardent/Crossmarks combo just couldnt cut it at the upper reaches. Next time its mud tyres. I really enjoyed the climb up - it got a bit challenging towards the top with some muddy hairpins to get around.

Just rode the Cafall today, very impressed. Bone dry, the only thing on my bike after riding it was a coating of fine dust. This is no meter wide sanitised cycle track, it has quite a few surprises in store. Everybody I spoke to was loving it, big smiles all round. Sure the climb is tough but if if you cant make it up then you have brought the wrong bike.

Sure the climb is tough but if if you cant make it up then you have brought the wrong bike

I rode it last week, great fun apart from snapping my axle! The nice thing it it means you can get two loops in either side of lunch and make a fun day of it.

I think it warrants more riding so I can get more knowledge of it...

Two loops? Fair play! I wouldn't want to tackle that climb twice in one week let alone the same day 😆 . Have to agree though it is a cracking trail 😛 . Met a couple of folks at the top of Hideout last week riding back the same way as they'd had enough . . . can't believe they'd just denied themselves the best bits.

you can even skip hideout if you really want to by carrying on the fire road, round the bend and drop down into the next section (rocky something or other) on the left

Rode it today for the first time. Loved it. Really cannot understand some of the mediocre reviews it's had from some people. How can anyone find the descending boring, it's as demanding as you'd want from an XC trail, and beautifully varied, I thought, mixing rooty singletrack, almost DH style sections and a little bit of smooth, swoopy, bermy stuff. The climbing was long, and steep in parts, but I liked the fact that that gives us something a bit different from other trail centres in S. Wales. I also like it being in two halves, like Twrch, with most of the climbing in the first half and the descending in the second.

Even though it was busy today I didn't find it a problem; not difficult to pass and everyone seemed aware that there would be people coming up behind and were pulling over (as did I a few times; I'm not particularly awesome myself).

Did it in 1 hour 40 today - quite pleased with that - then up to do the final bit of Twrch descent.

Beautiful weather made a difference; maybe it's been the crap weather that's caused some of the underwhelmed opinion.

Merynella - you really don't want to ride it after rain, this is definitely not an all weather trail! bet it rides superb in the dry though, can't wait to get back now.

Yep, I can imagine it was a slog. I think you'll find it a lot better now it's dried out. I'm betting once it's had a spring/summer/autumn of riding it will stand up to another winter a lot better. Similar terrain and woodland to Twrch, so imagine it will react to bad weather in a similar way (i.e. not too bad).

creamegg - Member
you can even skip hideout if you really want to by carrying on the fire road, round the bend and drop down into the next section (rocky something or other) on the left

Yeh, had planned to do just that last weekend, but conditions were so good I'm glad I opted for the full loop in the end 😀

It's a totally different trail now that's it's dried out. Riding it again tomorrow and hoping to have the legs to ride the twrch after dinner.

Yeah surprising how quick its dried out, although saying that the cheeky trails near cwmcarn are bone dry at the moment

I did this for the first time today and thought it was great. The climbing didn't feel anything like as hard as twrch and on the whole I thought it was a varied trail, with up interspersed with down and some interesting twisty bits too. Thanks whoever built it!

I'd agree it's a engaging and varied trail. Not sure some parts will stand up to much use especially the top trail which is little more than a trench in the ground. Otherwise enjoyed it. Lots of variety. Climbs easy enough, few switchbacks

I thought the climbing was harder - couldn't really sit down and get anything going, to many lumps and bumps.

Love it generally though -the descents are sublime.

Well it's more engaging having to adjust your position on the climbs then just grinding up another fire road climb. Once you get some speed up on the short downs you can fire up the ups and over them with a few pedals at the top.

Of course - you do on the old one - but the it was more disruptive to rythmn than a natural climb would be - and harder on my back I found.