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Okay,
I've got all day tomorrow and the weather looks good. I want to get some miles in for the upcoming MM24 but also have some serious fun too.
Options:
1. FOD. Not been there in years but heard good things about it. Will take both FF and open helmets. Could ride the xc stuff then the DH runs (as much as I can competently handle anyhow!).
2. Cwmcarn. Usually do the Twrch then Cafall trails but could sandwich a couple of DH runs (on the lesser graded trail as I"m far from a DHer) in between.
Thoughts?
Don't have issues with the fitness-side, it's more the fun-side I'm querying!
PS anyone here going to either tomorrow?
I faced this choice last week.
I made my mind up just before the Chepstow junction and went FOD - mainly because I have a tender hamstring.
I had fun in a chilled sort of way - a couple of laps each of Verderers and Freeminers. Lots of puddles in an otherwise dryish trail. It was fun, allowed me to concentrate on style and rest the leg for 99% of it. Actually this approach worked well as it's fast with lot's of potential for a slight overcook to be punishing.
If I'd been fit I'd have preferred Cwmcarn.
Cwmcarn - lap of each then a lap of cafell coming down the new downhil
I'd choose the DH trails at FOD. More options to mix and match. Wouldn't bother with the XC loops at FOD as I find them very dull. Cwmcarn and Cafall are ok but limited options to mix things up although I would opt for doing the DH runs on both as the final descents
Ah, I see "tomorrow" is now today, but still other people will read this.
I'd go FOD, Cwmcarn is great, but if you're planning to ride Twrch you may be disappointed - there's a diversion running from the Rangers Hut, all the way until Gatekeepers, which means 90% of the climb is on tarmac and you miss the Freeride/Airwave and Odin, makes for a very short off-road loop.
Thanks for the Cwmcarn update- that would definitely take the fun out of things! Is this a long term diversion do you know?
yes tree felling due to disease. The place won't be the same again
Aaahhhh, that is a real shame on lots of levels. Twrch is (was) my favourite trail centre loop but having moved away I haven't been back for a few years. Might have to do a "natural" route is I can get back in that part of the world soon...
Is Cafell unaffected?
XC loops in the FOD very dull!!!.Have you been over to the Dowies/Bluebell trails/Shutcastle etc?
Yeah it's a real shame about CC, I'm not really one for "when I was a lad all this was fields" but when I first started riding about in centres 10 years ago pretty much all of trails threaded between trees. Yeah they were 'fake' manmade trails, but the Forrest was fake too, imported pine trees planted in neat straight lines so we'd never have to import timber if War broke out, but combined it worked well enough to really give you that feeling of isolation.
The trails are wider and more manicured now, the viewes are great, but almost all the trees are gone now.
At least The Wenalt and Castle Coch are still covered in trees, and they're native so immune to the mould thing.
That's a shame - I love Twrch. Can't say I'm a huge fan of the Cafell trail in comparison.
Loads of natural stuff in the FoD hook up with a local. Pedalaway is fine but it's small beer in comparison to the trails outside Lydney, Dowies and Staunton
Horses for courses - I think cafell is one of the best around at the moment. Depends what you want though
Just back from the FoD. It's awesome in there at the moment. Loads better stuff than the marked trails. Get out to Dowies, Shuttcastle, etc. Miles and miles of fantastic singletrack. Rode CC at the weekend and it's good (even with the shortened old loop) but if it's dry the FoD is way better
Horses for courses - I think cafell is one of the best around at the moment. Depends what you want though
Absolutely - you're not the only fan!
Cheers,
Had a great day at Cwmcarn. Did Cafell, then the Tarmac climb for the second half of Twrch, then back up again for a shoot down the DH. Suitably shattered.
Will do FOD next month.