Llandegla Freeride

I went to Llandegla today, with James, Guy, Jay and George to go mountain biking. Llandegla is a mountain biking centre over Corwen sort of way. It's pretty epic getting there just for a days ride, about an hour and a half from home. I've only been 3 times or so. But we went today because they have recently opened a new freeride park there, which we wanted to check out. 

We did the black cross country loop first, which was as I remembered it, fairly uninspiring. There is something about the Llandegla trails that differs to the other popular trails in North Wales. It seems that the downhill sections have been made to maximise ride time, so instead of being able to shoot down a hill and enjoy it, you have to pedal loads, and its just hard work. The better trails around here like the Marin, have awesome fast downhill sections that are really worth the slog to the top for, Llandegla, unfortunately just doesn't. Except for one good section which is long and very smooth and flowy. The loop is fairly short too, only about 15km I think. 

Guy on the jump loop

Me on the jump loop

We were a little frustrated after having done that. And soaked through and cold. But after a quick warm up in the cafe and some cake, we hit the free-ride park. One section was really good, a series of short skills loops (these are not so new), one jump run was very well built. We then went to the new section, and its pretty full on. You have to pedal hell for leather to get over the first jump, then keep pedalling as hard as you can to clear the next few, and if you stuffed it at all you had no chance to re-gain the speed. Some locals were able to do it which was pretty impressive but none of us could carry the speed through. To me it seemed its more of a motocross track then for mountain bikes. 

So all in all a fairly disappointing day, but nice to get out on the old steed. On a brighter note, I'm heading to the Black Ladders to climb tomorrow with Geoff and Torquil. Geoff has a new route in mind which could be quite exciting. I'm excited anyway. Not for the early start though. Meeting at 6:40, its not right.