Brechfa Raven Mountain-Biking Trail
I first experienced the joys of mountain-biking at Brechfa a few months ago when I tried out the red-graded Gorlech trail. I enjoyed that and wanted to go back for more so when the guys I usually cycle during the week with had a trip to Brechfa planned to try out the newly opened black-graded Raven Trail I couldn’t resist joining them.
We met at the car park and once again it was raining, but the six strong crew of me, Dave, Myles, John, Andy and malcolm were all keen to get out and try the new trail as it had been getting great reviews. After getting kitted up we headed off up the first little climb and then straight onto a little bit of singletrack. It was nice to get going so soon rather than the usual big climb to start with. However things soon got a little tougher. From here on it seemed like endless climbing through thick gloopy mud which made the going difficult in places. Malcolm on his singlespeed was soon off and pushing and I think everyone else had to push at least a little here and there. The trouble was the lack of traction due to the mud and if your rear wheel spun out and you stopped, getting going again on the climbs was difficult.
I can’t remember the exact order of things but there was one really good downhill section early on in the ride with some huge wall-of-death style berms plungung steeply down the valley. There was also a very muddy and not so good descent that led to much shouting, squealing of brakes, plenty of unintentional sideways riding and the odd mishap!
Some section were closed and diversions were in place so there was a big loop on Forest roads interspersed with some more technical rooty sections through the forest and of course more climbing through the mud. Although as the ride progressed the amount of mud did seem to diminish.
For some reason it was taking us ages to make any progress. obviously with 6 people we are always waiting for everyone to regroup after each section and some people are slower on the ascents and some slower on the descents. Thankfully I was somewhere in the middle most of time. Also there was lots to talk about after each section.
Just as we got to what looked likely to be the best parts of the trail by rear brake pads decided to self destruct and fall out. John stopped with me and a few other guys from Aber who were out riding the trail in a separate group to us also stopped to lend a hand. Trailside repairs were made (I’m sure I had a spare set of pads but they weren’t in my bag!) which meant we took even longer. In the end we managed to bodge the very worn pads and retaining spring using a few rocks as a hammer and anvil which allowed me to ride once again although it was with a dragging rear brake all the time and reduced stopping power when needed. Needless to say I took things easy from here on in and let the other go on ahead so as not to get in the way.
The trail did improve from here on though plunging steeply down yet more mad berms. John and I then lost the others. They took a wrong turn and went off the trail but we carried on along the correct trail. We guessed what had happened and went looking for them but with no success so decided it was best to continue along the intended trail and meet up with them later.
The trail continued to get better with yet more big berms and then a dirt-jump style section with massive tabletops. Fortunately all of it was rollable so I was able to negotiate it OK. There were then a few more little climbs and nice descents, the odd log to balance along and all of a sudden we were back at the car park.
The others found their way back to the Raven Trail and soon rooled back into the car park a few minutes after us.
All in all it is a very different trail to the usual way-marked routes at trail-centres. Parts of it feel quite natural albeit a little too muddy at the moment. Other parts are obviously manufactured but certainly provide some adrenalin. It certainly isn’t a trail for the feint-hearted but is recommended. I’d like to go back soon and try some of the sections again knowing now that it is all (just) within my capabilities.
Put it on your list of trails to ride.
