Has anyone out there been down to the Afan Argoed Trail sponsored by 9Feet.com. Keep hearing about it but as yet no one has been ablt to give a good unbiased feedback re the terrain it covers. i am interested as I grew up in the area and rode the trails in the area when the rangers used to chase you off the land for vandalism etc....how things change. Any one know how it looks and rides?

Hi Andy,
I've been to the trail in Afon, last year.Me and a mate went down and met Phil Lee who's the main guy responsible for it's inception and ongoing development.
We went down to get info on trailbuilding to bring back home, so we were given a full guided tour (thanks Phil !!). However, on that day some of the sections were closed off for repairs etc but that should be different now.
We found the route to be excellent and consisted of single track linked by fire roads.The basic principle being to climb on the fire roads and descend on the singletrack. The route was only about 9 miles long when we went but as you're probably aware the forest itself is massive (2nd largest in uk or europe or something) so there's plenty to go at. From what we heard the biggest danger seemed to be getting lost if you went of the waymarked trails.
Anyway, have a look at their web site at

www.singletrack-mind.org.uk/

or you could phone the Afon Argoed visitors centre (sorry I don't have the number) I know that Phill reads the forum cos that's how he got in touch with us so he might contact you too.
Hope this helps.

I rode the 9feet.com on Xmas eve - highly recommended. If my memory serves me well, there's three fireroad climbs and 3 very different singletrack descents at the moment; the first one has lots of terraced hairpins (think bike-sized Stelvio Pass), the second a lot of drop-offs and a scary bridge on a hairpin and the third sweet tight twisty singletrack then a final very cut up muddy section that to be honest I'd avoid at the moment (just turn left after the ford and head back to the visitor's centre). There were a few diversions in place but all the singletrack bits seemed to be "open". I'd rate it as highly as Coed-y-Brenin; It's quite different riding - less rock and more gravel tracks and a few quite badly cut up sections which I hope will be sorted soon.

Stuart has got it just right. The cut up sections are getting worse and worse too, although if you can ride them when they are frozen they may be more manageable, although probably not. The last section, parallel to the main ascending track is really bad at the moment, stick to the advice given above.

Really up to date info can be had at the hire centre, where they will also wash your bike for you whilst you have a cup of tea and a bun. Service with a smile :-)

Many thanks for all the help on this one, appreciate the time and effort.


ANDY

Thanks for the nice comments about the trail. It makes the midge bits, back ache and blisters seem (almost) worthwhile !

The description given by other riders is fairly accurate - the route consists of 3 or 4 forest roads climbs with singletrack descents. The route is essentially 50% singletrack.

Much of the singletrack is 'natural' at the moment simply because are building the route in our spare time at weekends. Unlike Coed y Brenin which is worked on 7 days a week.

There are a number of changes upcoming to the route over the next few months most notably the introduction of some more built singletrack. With the introduction of the new sections the route will be 9.5 miles in length with 1700 feet of climbing.

If you wish to avoid the mud then I would try to avoid riding after wet weather - until it is all surfaced I'm afraid that some mud is inevitable.

As for the suggested diversion at the end, if you do ride it please, please, PLEASE keep your speed down. One of the reasons that we managed to sell the idea to the rangers at Afan was that we would be able to manage MTB'ers by directing them into areas where we wanted them.

Phil Lee
http://www.singletrack-mind.org.uk