Brechfa - The Gorlech Trail Hot

After recent times of riding the tried and tested, with the exception of Coed y Brenin, I thought it was high time I continued to test the outer reaches of my comfort zone. So after careful consideration, we decided to travel further west to Brechfa and ride the Gorlech Trail.

This is the first of three new trails for the vast Brechfa Forest. Designed by Rowan Sorrell, this red graded route is made up of three big climbs and descents stretching over 19km.

My riding buddy for the day, Tomks shared the drive and we arrived to the near empty car park in good time. This has no facilities, but toilets opposite the local pub were a short stroll away.

We had a brief study of the trail map after kiting up and made for the start of the ascent.

This begins on a fire road just for a change...but the wet weather was holding off although appeared to have rained the night before as the ground was wet under rubber.

A good steady climb which continued onto single track, although this was more like a skinny, overgrown fire road. Somehow Dan's mouse had come with us and after slight adjustment to my calliper (tom has his uses) we made for the next fire road.

This turned out to be a slight error of judgement and instead of taking the left hairpin, continued forward, ended up climbing and descending fire road that was later to be learned in the opposite direction... opps!! But hey, we weren't the only ones to make this mistake and all u-turned to get back on track.

So we continued our climb on fire road with a steady pace. The views on this trail are breath taking, so this manor of ascending is at least pleasant to the eye.

We came to a section of single track which meandered through the forest on a steady climb, much reminiscent of Thetford. After lifting our bikes over a large fallen tree, we rode past a small pond before continuing onto the next connecter.

We finally arrived at our first real taste of single track that the Gorlech Trail has to offer.

This section began with a swosh down into a double, then a small stroke to a tabletop, into a sweet tight right hand berm, then flipped to the left. With great opportunities to kick off the remains of crafted tree stumps, although chicken runs were provided, maximum fun was had. This trend continued for the whole of this section. Really good fun, until 20 metres from the bottom. A sneaky little stump jumped out into the middle of the track which although I did my best to avoid, resulted in my front wheel sliding and tucking underneath...Welsh mud don't taste good, but least it was soft!

Tom rushed to the aid of my muddy stead, checked the components were ok, then helped me to my feet...I felt disappointed in myself, but still managing to have a smile, after a breather, we continued on a short fire road climb.

A small section of single track was to follow, but had some fantastically steep, well sculptured berms to tackle...what a grin...such a shame this was over so quickly and after riding over chicken wired packed logs, we was all too soon back to fire road.

This proved to continue for quite a while and we were both itching to get back to the rocky, rumbley descents. Looking across the valley, we could now see where we had ridden.

The next piece of single track to be discovered just coasted along, but flowed lovely with neither much effort for or against. The build quality certainly proves its worth and can see this remaining in this condition in much time to come.

Just a cross over to a section that was just awesome to pump and berm down... This flowed beautifully with a chance of a three way slalom in the middle before meeting up for the final double drop in...again chicken provided, but not necessary.

More fire road, but with the knowledge the end was nigh, we took a steady pace.

On entering the final single track, I was quite surprised how much of it we had to climb before more grin factor good be had. By this time I was aching from my off and my hand was hurting, but adrenalin still pumping I was determined to enjoy til the end

The last two sections of this fantastic descent where not just fast flowing but had small jumps galore, doubles and amazingly steep tight berms... I think even our Kendas' had vertigo.

But the consistency of it all has proved to me that I can ride outside my comfort zone and be just as competent in that unknown territory. This ride has something for all... good hard going climbs, enough to get your blood pumping and sweat oozing from all pores. And the single track sections provide enough thrills and skills opportunities for even the most experienced of riders.

This ride is not comparable to any other trail centre I have already ridden, but certainly deserves merit in its own right... Muchly fun and needs to be visited again. But hopefully next time without returning with ride wounds.

And if any of you ride there and is making a weekend of it, can you let me know if the ale is cold please.

Thanks Tom for plucking my bike out of the mud, oh and for helping me up! Wicked ride again...

Where next............??!!