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Heading up to see the missus this week, as well as a loop at Afan we'll hopefully get out on some local riding. She's based in hey on wye/three cocks (har har! 😀 ) area, so the well known local routes are:
Llangors & Bwlch
Foothills of the black mountains
The gap
(links below)
Who's ridden these, and can give some advice as to what would be good at this time of year? She's new-ish to mtb, these routes are more than long enough! She can do the red at afan, anything more techy than that would be too much at the moment! How do these compare to eachother for those familiar with them?
http://www.mtbbreconbeacons.co.uk/hubs/talgarth
http://www.mtbbreconbeacons.co.uk/hubs/brecon/the-gap
Any opinions are appreciated 🙂
Llangors and Bwlch is great but will be very muddy, the Gap is probably the most all-weather of the three. The gap itself will be fine, the descent to the reservoir on the same ride will be muddy.
The Gap holds up really well in all weathers as it's mostly rock. Did it last week though and the descent to Pontsticill reservoir (through Cwm Callan) is a complete bog as they have felled the trees either side of the trail and the mud has run down the slope onto the bridleway, taking some of the trees with it. Might have been cleared by now but best to be warned!! Apart from that a great winter loop.
We're based in Hay so relatively local...
Llangors & Bwlch is a great ride but heavy-going in the wet and mud. Rides much better when dry. There's some good riding in that area though if you're open to exploring and don't mind slip-sliding-around a bit.
Foothills of the Black Mountains is more rocky, quite a bit of climbing, but isn't the greatest to be honest - quite overgrown in places and doesn't really take in the best trails.
The Gap is fine in any weather, as above. Probably the one I'd pick, of those three.
Lots of good riding in the hills the other side of the valley from Three Cocks, but you'd need a map and be prepared to navigate. The Gap would be the simplest choice if you want to follow a known route.
Gap is probably the most weather proof of the lot. Been some surfacing/tameing work on the Allt near Bwlch so could tie that in with some of the bits around there.
If you want a bit more of a pootle than gnar, try some of the commons north of Hay like Begwns and over Kington way.
If you fancy riding the 'Diet Gap', for a bit of added adventure it is possible to cycle through the tunnel at the top of the Taff Trail, thus avoiding the Bryn Oer tramway climb. Allegedly.
^^Ambrose can you tell me more about this tunnel? Someone else mentioned it to me a couple of weeks back, I haven't been up the tram road in enough light to find the entrance. Whereabouts is it and where does it come out? Could you share a GR? Sounds like quite an adventure!
One end
t'other end
Take a torch!
However, you exchange the great run over the moor for 5 km of slightly uphill fireroad. If very wet though this may not be a bad thing. (plus you still have to do a fair bit of the lower end of the tramroad anyway
Thanks for the advice guys, looks like it's the gap then!
My girlfriend has joined a local club (blonde girl on a bright purple/green 456 carbon if anyone rides with her!) so will know some of the other routes soon!
And thanks drover. Nice shop btw, was in getting some hope hub spares the other week.
Welshfarmer... I'm guessing there aren't a lot of Mark Morgans around that way so can assume I know who you are- I was one of Paul G's explorers who camp on your land in the summer! (the one who always used to bring a bike, surprise surprise). We have a summer reunion in the pipeline so may be coming back if we're still welcome! 😀
🙂 Haha, small world Spicer. Yep, that is me and of course you guys are welcome any time. Don't know if you were there this summer when we had the Explorers and Scouts there at the same time (again!).
I'd ride the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir one out of all those to be honest. But rather than starting in Talgarth, start at say Pengenfford (parking in tiny lane at 177303). But don't ride it anti-clockwise as suggested, it would be a crime. Give me a yell if you want a GPX.
mtbguiding, any chance you could send me a GPX of the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir route please? Been looking at doing it and anything to help with my lack of navagional skills would be helpful!
Scott - you might consider making the Gwyrne Fawr loop a real adventure and stopping overnight at the bothy on the shore of the res. Check out my feature in MBR mag here:
Thanks spicer - glad you liked the shop! Big sale just started if you're in the mood for a bit of shopping next time... 🙂