Up and Around the Wall

A dry start to the day… and the South Wales Valley looks good, and ready for a days riding. I set off from my base at Gwyncorrweg and rode 6 miles along an old railway track, now a cycle path to Afan visitor centre, and ready to do another Red route ‘Yr Wal’ http://mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Centres/Afan_Forest_Park/The_Wall/The_Wall.aspx , better known by it’s old name ‘The Wall’, at one time reputed to be the best MTB route in Wales, and graded ‘Black’ (Extreme !).

I started by looking round the visitor centre at Afan, where old mining equipment was maintained and exhibited.

Then off and onto the wall …up the side of the valley, deep into the woods, where trees were being cut down and harvested – the sound of chain saws, and trees crashing to the ground was an unusual accompaniment to most of my ride.

The climb, although fairly high was mainly along Forest fire roads, and so reasonable, with occasional technical sections as I went along.

Eventually I got to the top plateau, and having posed for the obligatory photo, started towards the tricky descent… what was to come ?, I soon came across this warning , and no, they weren’t warning about pirates on the trail !

Undeterred I flew down, towards my destiny….the Wall….

I traversed the hillside, with many steep drops alongside to accompany me, although I happily sped along, enjoying myself as I thundered through the woods, and pounded over hard rock and scrub, flying around through the ‘Graveyard’ and around the death defying ‘Wall’, and down to the valley floor below, where I turned left and rode the 6 miles back to my camp, showered….and collapsed !!

The sunny glimpses during the afternoon found me lying around most of the afternoon recovering, and ultimately getting my blog up to date !

So, there we are, the South Wales Valleys, great biking, I shall return, and on my way again tomorrow…sleep tight !