Just got back from a little mountain biking session around the Pendam trail at Nant-yr-Arian. I didn't expect to enjoy the 'man-made'; trails as much as getting out there and exploring on my own but it was actually really good.. So good in fact hat I went around twice.

A few more times around, and a little more fitness and I may feel up to going for a ride with others without getting left behind too much!!

Al.

Yeah the trails are awesome there Al.
I remember in my first year back in 2001 when they were being built.
Each week we went up, we made use of the bit of track they had built that week which was always a good talking point on what it was gonna be like.

When I came back in September for my 2nd year, job was a gudun and it was all complete, we were up there every weekend. Hated the leg burner half way round the course where you'd be climbing uphill for 10-15mins

The final bit of the track , the single track leading down to the Red kite feeding ground and cafe was awesome, remember doing time trials on that section from the forestry track. Can;t remember the exact times but I'm sure it was around 2mins 20 secs. Maybe wrong on the time but myself and the rest of the UWA mtb club rode at break neck speed on every ride.

The rides were all topped with tea, toast and flapjack in the excellent red kite cafe where we sometimes had to sit out side cos we were that muddy. The trails leading upto the hills above Furnace (nr. Machynlleth) via Nant-y-Moch are excellent as well. Make sure you use your maps though. We never took Maps and I remember getting lost in hill fog one Sunday morning and had no idea where we were. A 3 hour ride tunred into 6

Enjoy Al

It was good... I think the bit you liked just before the visitor centre is called 'As high as a Kite'... I overtook a few people on that section... they were girls though!

I'll have to try the other trails soon, but it is also good to just explore a little off the beaten tracks. I know the forests up there quite well anyway as I have spent a fair bit of time up there without a bike, but now have an excuse to spend even more time up there... I've even hidden a series of geocaches around the lakes up there so I'm surprised more mountain-bikers haven't found them... Expecially now that some modern bike computers have GPS built in.

Al.

come on then start posting some pics so we can see it all in its full glory .

I fancy giving Nant a go seen as I drive past on every windsurf trip.

Can anyone tell me, do you have to pay to ride these man made trails / MTB centres? Also do you have to sign in/out, are they health and safety mad?

Andy

the ones down this way are all free
as for h&s its your risk!

some of the bigger places have charged car parking

Its free to ride nant yr arian but you have to pay for car parking at the main centre. I can't remember how much but I'm sure it wasn't more than £2

I've now ridden all of the Nant-Yr-Arian trails and you'll love them Andy...

From Borth its actually easier to head up into the hills and park at Pendam and start them from there. All are pretty easy and you can just do them... No signing in and out or anything like that and as Kelvin says, the H&S is up to you. As well as the waymarked routes theres' plenty of other tracks to explore up there too...

Next time you're here with your bike let me know and we can head up there for a ride..

Al.

Thanks all for the info.

Just got to decide on which new bike to get now ;-)

Al,

Looking for a decent hardtail, I ride the Malverns 2 or 3 times a week.

Been looking at a GIANT Xtc for a while now, otherwise there's a choice of Specialised stuff or just noticed a Marin B-17 that looks interesting with long 120 or 130mm fork.

Might go look if somewhere local has the Marin tomoz.