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Afan, The Model Trail Centre

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Mountain Bike Trails - Wales

Written by stumpy_dan

Hits 480
Sunday, 30 September 2007

The first time I rode Afan was a few years ago. I'd just moved from a hardtail Marin Palisades Trail to a Specialized SFR Stumpjumper full susser and it was love for both at the same time.

I have since lost count of how many times I have returned. I know I have stayed in most of the villages and towns, camped, slept in my car, made some great friends there, and ridden in all brit typical extremes from sun, rain, snow, hail and ice. There are four main trails: The Penhydd, The Whites Level, The Wall and the Skyline. So to each in turn

(video credited to http://youtube.com/user/Paddywack0 )

These four trails are nested not too far from the Jct 40 of the M4 south Wales. They are a common Londoners and South West Englander's Mecca trail riding destination.

The Penhydd is a fun trail for all, but a great trail for beginners to cut your teeth on. It has a long up but you are rewarded with a fun flowing descent with roots and lots of corners and switchbacks to practice on.
The White's Level is awesome and has more than most trails all in one. A beautiful route up takes you to a black rocky section (you can take an alternative route) that has rocks, technical corners and is steep, steep. steep. Later in the ride there is a cheeky northshore section as well as some fun rock drops (chicken run options exist too)
The Skyline is long and-has steep technical up's and down's. Great scenery and best you are fit for this one. The first up-is shared with the White's where it then parts off.
The Wall. When I first did the Wall I got a grin that stayed for a week, Prior to the Wall I was just getting into trail riding. After the Wall I was a confirmed junky. Tough cool climb followed by fast descents where at some point the singletrack is so sweet you don't even notice the pretty much cliff drop to one side. Jumps, one big mother of a rock slab. A sneaky technical section in the middle. Word of caution. I know that tree felling has been going on and that the down is being used as the up in some parts so I can't speak to the current trail experience.

Tips:

Whatever time of year you go take waterproofs.
Take your night lights, book an uplift, dress warm, and do a night run down. Awesome fun and pretty magical. Really warm clothes required.
If you stay in Neith you will most likely be accosted and dragged form one pub to the other by the local beer Mafia. You have been warned.
If you stay in Port talbot their are people there who are older than your grandparents. Do not be deceived or lulled into a fall sense of security.They may look harmless but they can drink more than you and will then make you dance on a table singing to Elvis before you leave (never to return)
Swansea is worth a trip if you can find a driver and don't mind feeling old

Trail Maps

http://forestry.gov.uk/pdf/AFANMTBguide2005.pdf/$FILE/AFANMTBguide2005.pdf

Trail Centre info

http://www.mbwales.com/afan_forest/index.htm

Drop Off Cafe

http://www.the-dropoff.com/

Great cafe, music, staff, WIFI and you can camp here)

Trail Centre Bike Shop (saved many of a weekend for me)

http://skylinecycles.co.uk/

View Larger Map

Comments

#1 tomtomks..
2007-10-1713:22:48 AFAN!!! well wat can i say!!! whites is now all single track yes no forest road!! with the new section(ENERGY) now open i think its the only trail i know that is all single track. the new section is at the end of windy point( to the right at the top of the climb) or the red run as its known. you can still link energy with the black run, but you will have to use the forest road to do so, turn left at the bottom of the black, then right down the road till you get to energy. it has all you want.. fast berms, some table tops some fast single in and out of the trees( not alot of room for your arms)and some of that north shore.. its cool man a must try its a bit like the M25 on the way up at the mo as the uplift is not working, with a little more time for the trail to bed in the new section will get better iam sure,this trail is one of my favorites and justs keeps gettin better, so go on get down there and give it a go!!! did get a little footage form the head cam.. so look out for it…anyone who knows of a all single track trail ride with no forest road let me know!!! have fun and…just get out and ride