justal
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| posted on 24-8-2007 at 18:19 |
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MTB Nant-yr-Arian
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.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Jonny
A Force-of-Nature **  
Member #: 394 Posts 308
Registered: 6-10-2003 Location: North West Member Is Offline Mood: waitin for the next blow!
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| posted on 24-8-2007 at 21:57 |
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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
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justal
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| posted on 26-8-2007 at 07:40 |
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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.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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kelvin
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 148 Posts 356
Registered: 22-2-2003 Location: s.wales Member Is Offline Mood: waiting 4 next blow
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 11:32 |
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come on then start posting some pics so we can see it all in its full glory .
Kel www.winsurfing.co.uk
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AndyW
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 12:39 |
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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
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kelvin
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 148 Posts 356
Registered: 22-2-2003 Location: s.wales Member Is Offline Mood: waiting 4 next blow
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 13:03 |
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the ones down this way are all free
as for h&s its your risk!
some of the bigger places have charged car parking
Kel www.winsurfing.co.uk
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badexcuseforasailor
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 14:03 |
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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
http://brogboroughlake.windsurf.me.uk/
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justal
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 14:16 |
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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.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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AndyW
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 17:54 |
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Thanks all for the info.
Just got to decide on which new bike to get now ;-)
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AndyW
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| posted on 28-9-2007 at 18:00 |
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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.
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk