In contrast, a few weeks later I spent a few days riding in North Wales, taking in a few of the trail centres along the way. Antur Stiniog for some DH riding, which was great fun, the fastest uplift anywhere and some really fun trails built into the slate quarries of North Wales. Coed-y-brenin, one of the first trail centres to be built still has some of the best man made trails out there.
I also rode at the lesser-known trail at Penmachno, which still rates as one of my favourite rides. I think it gets less use than many of the other better-equipped centres and the trails have almost been taken back over by nature. The trail is narrow and almost feels like a natural trail in the woods, just with a great all weather surface.
I also visited the climax trail at Machynlleth on my way home. A great few days mountain biking in the winter and again I barely needed to wash my bike. The all weather nature of the trail centre not only creates a mud free environment, but its also creates endless singletrack and miles of flowing trails, section after section. You know that there will be no one coming around the corner, that any drops will be indicated and you wont need to look at a map!
Trail centres have brought mountain biking to the masses and created places that are really fun to ride for all abilities. You can go as fast or as slow as you like and will generally have no issues riding it all. I love the fact that you know what you are getting and you know that you can have a great workout for 1,2 or 3 hours and will get tonnes of flowing trails. However you do miss out on the feeling of adventure, the journey you get when you plan a route with a map and link up bridleways and you definitely don’t get challenged technically in the same way as a tough natural trail.
Fin.
In my two trips I have only touched the surface of the riding we have in the UK and it made me realise just how lucky we are. Within a very short distance we have so much variety of riding. Many of us can ride from our doors out in to the countryside and onto great trails.We have an amazing network of trail centres now all over the country and more natural riding than you could ever explore.
So I think that, although we have some horrible weather and no massive mountains, mountain biking in the winter here still provides some of the best riding you can find!
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