A few weeks back I had the pleasure of riding the Gorlech trail, in Brechfa.  I also had the lovely pleasure of staying at the Brechfa Bunkhouse run by Jillie the farmer owner. Jilli is a very welcoming Derbyshire girl who uprooted from Dorset funny enough to settle at the edge of the incredible Bechfa Forest a few years back to tend her 4 horses, sheppard her tough and hardy rare wild breed sheep and create another little Welsh Haven for mountain bikers!

Gilfach Wen Barn - aka, the Brechfa Bunkhouse, has been converted to provide value self-catering accommodation for individuals and big biking groups on a working farm adjacent to Brechfa Forest. Brechfa does not have a purpose built visitors centre so the community plays a big part of making the stay there welcome. This is epitomised through the local shop which is run by the local residents taking it in turn. Cool hey! Hence if you are travelling to the trails it is worth stopping by the local town for your provisions and supporting the community that makes these trails possible.

For those of you that don't know Bechfa and Gorlech trail it is on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountain. It is 25 mins drive from the M4 and is only 40 minutes from Swansea or 1 hour 15 minutes from Cardiff. In mountain biker speak that means you are under an hour from Afan and minutes from three great Brechfa trails. Short summary of what's on offer:

1. The red graded Gorlech was designed by Rowan Sorrell and the trail is a hard, fast, all weather surface which becomes more of a thrill as your skill level and speed progresses. It consists of three big climbs and descents stretching over its 19km. It has alot of diversity and is full of berms, jumps and grin factor speed induced opportunites all wrapped in this mystical Narnia type forest. I loved it and the last section is another gift from the gods!!)
2. The Black graded Raven trail, designed by Rowan Sorrell and Brian Rumble, raises Brechfa’s take on mountain biking to the next level. Suitable only for proficient bikers, the trail effortlessly mixes up the more traditional narrow woodland singletracks with Brechfa’s signature brash descents: fast, undulating trail that sweeps between trees and flows sinuously into berms and over jumps. I copied all that as it was shut on my visit but I will be back!
3. The green graded Derwen trail is the starting point for families and novices and has been said ot be a great introduction to mountain biking.

The newly converted barn that makes the Brechfa Bunkhouse, sleeps up to 32 between 7 bedrooms. It has a large kitchen/dining room. Think big groups of silly mountain biking folks hanging out / making new friends and so on. The lounge is big enough for a mini ten pin bowling alley and comes with TV, Table football and a great warm feeling. The rooms are bunks and there are a few small double rooms.  There is also a downstairs bedroom and shower for disabled visitors. The showers in the place are great and Jilli is very cool with you coming back for a shower at the end of the last day before heading home.

If you let Jilli know she will supply dinner and even the ingredients for a decent english / sorry welsh breakfast. Anywyas I will be back and hopefully soon. It is a great venue for a biking birthday weekend thats for sure so that could be a plan for my next birthday. Anyway finally a quick thanks to Jilli who helped me understand the global economic crises, the benefits of rare non domesticated hardy sheep, saving me from starvation when forgetting to turn up woth anything to eat and of course for an insight into the politics and finery of some of the best trails to ride in Wales. Recommend a stay.

Website: http://www.brechfa-bunkhouse.com/