Day 1: sun salutations, rainy rides and MTB films

Kicking off the packed itinerary was a challenging but blissful yoga class with Polly from Mountain Yoga Breaks. I thought it might be an easy beginner class but I was wrong. It was hard, one of those yoga classes where you shake, and sweat, and pray for the downward dog because that turns out to be the rest from the leg-raising twisty postures.

After yoga, we all had the chance to get to know each other over lunch. Some of us were seasoned black trail riders, others total beginners, and more than a few of us at intermediate level looking to up skill. A couple were even MTB leaders, so we were in good hands.

The post-lunch social ride was a chance to get into groups and into the rain. It was unguided and a real chance to hook up with each other and just enjoy the trails for a bit of fun. The Coed y Brenin team talked us through each trail and what to expect, going into detail when asked and showing us maps, so everyone could pick a ride to suit their ability.

In the evening we gathered for an MTB film – Mountain Biking: The Untold British Story. This was a real treat. If you haven’t seen this film and you’re into mountain biking, you have to watch it. It’s a really inspiring story of how the sport began and developed, with comment from legends past and present, including our very own T-Mo.

The weekend was rounded up with sixty rain-soaked, muddy MTB women filled the room for the closing Tracy Moseley Q&A session on the Sunday evening of Temtiwr. Plied with hot tea and homemade biscuits, we were thankful to be in the warm and dry after a more-than-soggy day’s riding.

The World Champion shared so much sound advice to the room and it was really inspiring to hear that there were still some things that she struggles with, or is trying to master. It doesn’t matter what level cyclist you are, there’s always something to learn.

Temtiwr was the first of what organisers plan to be many women’s weekends at Coed y Brenin. The weekend was a collaboration between Natural Resources Wales, Beics Brenin, Welsh Cycling and Infinite Exposures.