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Planning a trip up to South Wales with some Friends in November - Air BnB, MTBing, dog walks and good food and drink.
Thinking about Brecon Beacons as never ridden there and like rides with great views but having trail centres in case of bad weather is also appealing (done Afan and Cwmcarn a few times). Also wondering about Brefcha. Friends have done a few uplifts at BPW and we also considered FOD but it's a bit close to home (1hr away so can do that in a day trip).
Any suggestions on routes, accommodation (2 couples, 1 single and 1 dog) and good pubs to eat and drink at?
The Gap is a classic route for big views.
I'm not sure how it rides in the current conditions though but it might dry up a bit by then!
Beacons is a great place for that sort of trip though. Got BMCC close for uplift if you didn't fancy BPW as well.
Brechfa is one of my favourite trail centres but a fair trek from Brecon as I recall about 90 mins each way traffic dependant
I've rented this cottage a couple of times, dog friendly a couple of pubs on your door and where 99% of people start the gap ride. I think there's a weekend left at the end of November.
https://www.breconcottages.com/property/KIWI
that cottage would be perfect but wrong weekend 🙁
Never seen the BMCC - looks interesting and a nice change to the usual ones.
Brechfa is a bit far so we would stay somewhere over that way if that was the intention. Not decided where to set up base yet.
The Gap is the most boring early 90s style ride in the area, but the views are nice (for half of it). There's far better around. I'd call it an all-weather ride though - the Bryn Ore tramway is a bit muddy usually but still a better option than the flippin Taff Trail back up which is what people seem to always take. The worst bit of trail I've ever ridden, uniquely a slog both up AND down.
If you've got a South Wales long weekend planned, why not head to North Wales - it's better 😉
Swansea Valley if you fancy something away from the norm. Great riding in the area from enduro stuff to natural xc, Afan isn't far away or Gower, even BPW and Brchfa are 30-40mins away but there is plenty to ride in the valley. With a bit of research you could enjoy places away from the tourist guides.
The Gap is the most boring early 90s style ride in the area,
That's a bit of a lazy opinion there MG. Sure it's not a technical gnar fest but it's a great day out in some of the most beautiful countryside Wales has to offer. Accepting that it's a "ride" I'm not sure hiw it could be described as boring.
If you’ve got a South Wales long weekend planned, why not head to North Wales – it’s better
That was my first choice but friends are heading up from NW Devon after work so North Wales is a big old slog for the weekend.
That’s a bit of a lazy opinion there MG. Sure it’s not a technical gnar fest but it’s a great day out in some of the most beautiful countryside Wales has to offer. Accepting that it’s a “ride” I’m not sure hiw it could be described as boring.
I don't enjoy it that much! Plenty of better 'out there' rides with the same level of tech and the same or better views.
Tal y Maes/Hermitage in the Black Mountains for example is a better climb IMO then you get to do Rhiw Trumau on the other side 🙂
We had such a brilliant day on the Gap route a couple of years ago.
We rode over from Talybont via the quarry and then another reservoir and a bog...and then we carried our bikes on our backs up each of the three peaks, then rode natural lines off each summit using the bridleway to return back up to the Gap each time.
Mega day out. 9 hours riding time.