hi, ive just ridden the raven trail last wk end and this review is way to nice. i know we should support all the trail builders without whome none of the great stuff at afan etc would be there to ride but.... apart from a few short sections of crazy large berms and fun table tops about 75% of th trail is just a mud fest. it looks like someone has just dragged a digger bucket through the woods without no attempt to actually build a trail the ride was appalling and in a very short time will become completely unrideable. i spoke to several other groups there and not one rider had a good word to say about the trail. sorry to be so negative but a think anyone else who could be thinking of taking a valuable wk end, driving 100's of miles to this trail should be warned to forget it divert an hour down the road and ride the excellent whtyes and wall even in heavy rain these trails have no mud and ride great 

Unfortunately I would have to agree with Trevor regarding the mud - perhaps the muddy bits aren't 75% of the trail length but they certainly account for most of the time. The second main uphill is a real slog - I was off and pushing within the first 50 yards and, judging by the footprint, so were lots of other people! The trails will need some stoning up before they will hard-pack.

On the plus side it's nice to be riding through some deciduous woodland for a change and, as broadleaf trees don't have a root plate, the trails shouldn't end up too rooty.

Many of the more "natural" sections are closed for repair ATM, after the organisers of the Trans Wales and the Team Enduro events saw fit to run hundreds of competitors through there in appalling weather before the trail had really bedded in. The barriers are constantly being removed, and the result is clear.

The intention was to let the trail take shape naturally in these sections. Allowing riders to carve the turns in and create the flow without the trail feeling too manmade. The maintenance schedule was geared around regular weekend traffic so the natural feel could be maintained. But after the battering it got from 2 events that would have been more fun to ride on the Derwen linked with parts of the Gorlech given they were Enduro/ Marathon formats and left out the more technical sections, it's been difficult for the maintenance team to stay on top of the damage.

When I first rode it, just prior to it's official opening (with permission) some sections felt like you'd discovered someone's secret lines. Just smooth tracks through the leaf litter with the occasional exposed root or two. I had to go looking for waymarkers to convince myself I hadn't strayed off the intended route. It was one of the best rides I've had.

But 2 weeks ago during the dry spell, they looked like the Somme.

Work is ongoing to make these sections more sustainable, but I can't help thinking that  poor  decisions to run too many people through it too early, has spoiled the fun for everyone else. And the guys removing the barriers and closure signs are just making it worse, and delaying vital repairs. It's a shame.

I totally agree with kevin, the natural bits of that trail were set up by the local fatboys group and normally ten riders per week, not like when the transwalers went through there and made the tracks a disaster, there werent that many riders in the bikebrechfa enduroto cause too many problems.  Luckily for us we do have a 100mile more tracks, but this time were not telling anyone....Unless you ask nicely.  I'm sure with time and mainetenance the trails will be back as good as ever.  Havent been up there for a few weeks now and havent seen anyone removing barriers as yet, though the last time I was there the Bergwm carpark was full.

The Fatboys done good. I've ridden some of the other natural stuff around there, and it's sweet. I'll have to hook up with you lot on a Tuesday night ride sometime.

As long as Matt (Voltage) isn't setting the pace. He's just too damn quick uphill lol.

The Fatboys are a bit different to the Brechfabike club.  Ken Gas a guy who has known brechfa for about 40 years knows Brechfa like nobodys business, I think Matt's in the Brechfa bike club ? originally held together by Pete from Brechfa village (post office).  The fat boys usual night rides are Thursdays and Sundays for the day rides.  Another good contact is Cliff from mtbwales.com

 I'm sure once the maintenence crewshave done their work people can venture down this way, shame but its been so wet up there.

Ahhh. I know a bunch of boys that ride on Tuesdays down there. Nathan Davies, Mark and Nigel Thomas etc.

I know of Cliff from mtbwales, I'll have to get in touch and ride with you lot. (I'm Skyliner BTW) I'll see if Dan is up for a ride there too, I've not ridden with him for ages, and I'm much fitter than the last time we rode together.

I spoke to Dean from the maintenance crew today, and they're not due there just yet. They've got some stuff to finish at Afan first. But Rowan's back from Italy today, and things should pick up on the maintenance front now.