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I found out yesterday that the Marin trail and the Penmachno trails are not one and the same... doh! My bad...
I've only ever ridden the Marin trail, and that was about five years ago when much of the last third was closed. What's actually open over there at the moment, at what are the trails like?
there will be lots of differing opinions but I thought Penmachno was awful when I rode it recently. quite rocky but no drainage so with the rain lately it will be like riding through a swimming pool. Marin trail better.
Marin has had a fair bit of work on it this year and was riding really well when I last visited about 6 weeks ago.
When I visited Penmachno a couple of weeks ago loop 1 was in good condition and it generally tends to drain pretty well in any case.
Loop 2 on the other hand was in a right sorry state. Overgrown, very very wet and in need of some serious TLC. Shame really because it used to be a fantatic bit of trail. 🙁
If I was visiting the area for the day I would do the Marin and Penmachno Loop 1.
A couple of things from mates I'd like to query:
1) Someone said that the Marin trail has lots of fireroad, including fireroad descents. Has this improved any since it's had work done on it?
2) Also, how well signposted is Penmachno? Someone said it wasn't very good...
I've not done the Marin for a few years but yes, it did have far too much fire road. Not sure of any recent work.
Penmachno signage is fine. I've never got lost and I'm rubbish.
There's a map of Penmach at the trailhead, you could take a photo of it on your phone.
The signage is very good though, tbh.
Marin is good fun, but there is a lot of fireroad.
It's well worth it though.
The folk who look after the Penmachno trails have a done a fair bit of drainage work, perhaps most noticeable on Loop 1. But yes, you will get wet! It's a been a little over-grown of late but there's been a few maintenance days of late and if I recollect they've been cutting back foliage on Loop 2. Over the last year new signs have gone up so there's little chance of getting lost (there's also a trail map available from their Fb page). Of course, if [i]everyone[/i] leaves a couple of quid after riding the trails can have more attention!
Penmachno had all new signs put up last year which are a peace of p**s to follow (It's a man made trail FFS !). Also they have been having lots of maintenance days all year round so there have been improvements to the drainage etc. That said Penmachno is always wet, even in the summer !
The Marin is an old school trail with lots and lots of fire road. Penmachno is a more natural trail, more challenging with better views. The most natural feeling man made trail you will find IMO.
Best way to do them is Penmachno in the morning and Marin in the afternoon, but take a change of kit in case you get drenched after Wetmachno !
How's the open bit on loop one? I was over there in 'summer' and it was already up to bottom bracket level. Had to stop after that bit and tip the water out of my SealSkinz socks 🙂
Ended up having to replace pedal, BB and front hub bearings when i got home. Great trail though!
How's the open bit on loop one?
That's the section that has had the work done. I can't see how they've done it but there no longer seems to be such large pools. It now seems weird going through it without the split-second decision of whether to raise legs akimbo or man-up!
rode Penmachno last thursday, very wet, very fast and fabulous fun. the wife liked it too.