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Last time was in a snowstorm, time before that was in a thunderstorm. Today was quite nice.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10121765703_171c1a64f0_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10121765703_171c1a64f0_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121765703/ ]Made by nature, shaped by man[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121572154/ ]Heading into the valley[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10122707415/ ]PA061683[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/10121094985_ca87795005_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/10121094985_ca87795005_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121094985/ ]Wall Ride[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121220176/ ]How are you feeling?[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/10121673173_7b004b60a0_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/10121673173_7b004b60a0_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121673173/ ]View from the hill[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/10121403453_bf2d11a638_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/10121403453_bf2d11a638_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121403453/ ]Classic Wales Bog Crossing[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121187716/ ]Slate climbing[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121304486/ ]Gay-Rollers in the mist[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/10121240695/ ]PYGA[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Gully descent quite exciting, double rocky track back to Rhayader extremely exciting. Lots of tough climbing on soggy grass as well.
Proper old school XC. Ace 🙂
Those photos bring back great memories. Thanks for posting.
Good pics - the great Summer is extending into a great Autumn!
I used to work in the Elan Valley a long time ago, long before i got into mountain biking. I could be tempted for a return trip to give it a try!
I was there a couple of weeks ago, also in fair weather. It's a great area if you like big 'out-there' rides.
Mind you, given that the water from the reservoirs falls all the way to Birmingham by gravity I can never understand why there are some nasty little *##*!@# uphills between the Visitor Centre and Rhayader which just hurt mentally and physically when all you want to do is freewheel into town after a big day in the hills 😳
There's definitely not a lot of respite. It's been so dry everywhere as well, I'd forgotten what riding up streambeds and through bogs was like. All good fun tho. Definitely more fun than when we were caught up in a snowstorm a few years back!
It's a great area to ride in. Next time consider taking the Claerwen reservoir track across to Strata Florida and do the Tywi Track (Splashes). Best fun ever IMO. Makes a big ride though.
I was there too today. Back in Suffolk now and missing the hills. We had a best ride this morning - great weather and stunning views. I did Knighton to Rhayader yesterday and feel it in my legs today...
Chrispo- The Tywi track is wonderful isn't it? I'm lucky enough to live close-by (by some standards anyway) so can ride it whenever I need a boost- it reminds me that the world really can be filled with fun- at least some of the time. I'll be spending a weekend bothying there soon too.
Bendigedig!
Yes, the Tywi fords/puddles really bring out the inner child. Especially when overtaking the 4x4s!! Not sure I'd want to take my new bike through them though until it's a little less shiny 😉
The Llanerchi woods descent from the weather station is also a cracker, and the bridleway along to the Claerwen dam is like a mini Tywi Track (wet feet guaranteed). Coming down off the moor from Drygarn does it for me too. It's all stunning on a nice day, and a bit spooky when the mist is down. Love it. All of these are segments on the following ride I did recently: [url= http://app.strava.com/activities/77985352 ]http://app.strava.com/activities/77985352[/url]