Penhydd Trail, Afan. Wild Weekend In Wales_Day 3

Wild Weekend In Wales - Day 3 - Penhydd Mountain Bike Trail, Afan

Once again with breakfast unhurried and chance to chat with the other riders who were staying at the B&B, our enthusiasm was not as in plenty as before due to our aching limbs and the heavy frost that covered everything in its icy reach.

Sparky was in much pain from his fall and had decided to call it a day... he needed to return home.

With our gear sorted and cars defrosted we made our way along the white roads to Afan Forest Park Visitors Centre, where we had a walk to stretch our legs and a hot drink to thermally insulated our insides before we began our ascent.

 

I had never done this ride before, but both the boys on previous occasions had. Mark was not looking forward to the climb and remarked that he would need to stop several times to make it to the first gate of Desolation.

 

And so we began...

And continued...

 

And paced...

And continued...

And continued...

And paced...

And completed... without any stops...

 

Absolute fantastic personal achievement for our very own Appleyam... Just brilliant!!

 

We still had one more major climb...

Yes it was big and very soft under rubber, making it more difficult to ride, but we did it...and were still smiling at the top!! Eventually!!

 

 

 

I still took Hidden Valley with gusto as my bike never let me down and I took the switchbacks with ease and the jumps with more than enough confidence and success.

Side Winder was fun and I was imagining the speed that could be reached with better conditions as it wound itself down the mountain.

 

Tom had already said prior to the ride, that he personally prefers to do this ride in the dry... and I can see why, with large puddles on the descents, for me was a little unnerving at first due to my lack of experience on this trail

 

I had to work at Dead Sheep Gully due to the puddles, but was rewarded by a super fast finish, that I think left the two boys wondering where I had my new found energy from.

 

Genisis being a quick blast to wake you up with a cheeky little rock garden section, that I couldn't actually manage to stay on my steed for...but attempted full heartidly.

 

Argoed, again only short, but still fun, fast and flowing with roots enough to keep your wits about you..I managed to take all the jumps that were posed to me. At the end of this section is a river crossing...something I had never done before...and managed with ease just as Tom and Mark did

 

I completed this ride, with yet again more smiles, putting this one definitely on my list of to come back and do in the Spring.

 

A fantastic weekend for us all... Personal achievements, confidence and experienced gained, new rides and riding buddies discovered... Much laughter, fun and great company enjoyed.

 

A big thank you to Tom for his ever enthusiasm and encouragement.

 

Mark was fantastic and just so pleased he got as much out of the weekend as he put it... He really deserves a new bike for Christmas, so 2009 can be a fully rewarding MTB experience for him...It was great to meet you.

 

It was a shame Sparky became injured, because his White's ride was in a fantastic time and I wanted to race him to the top of Penhydd ;-) but equally it was great to meet you.

 

I'm looking forward to future rides with IBikeRiders... This one was definitely a weekend I will never forget.

 

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

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