Afan tour 2007 Friday - Day 1: Well after a bit of faffing around getting the bikes on the back of Dave's car, Dave, Mike and Graeme set off to meet Iain, Ian and Paul at Iain's residence in East Grinstead, Ian obviously not too chuffed that we were 20 minutes late. Anyway, Traffic was dreadful, but with our hopes high, a couple more hours driving, a fuel stop and Dave desperately searching for batteries, Mr TOMOM finally deposited us (although Mike and Graeme were dubious about the route it had chosen), in the loving arms of the Afan Forest visitors centre car park... which we then sat in the car for 20 minutes waiting for the downpour to end (we all agreed that getting ready and starting a ride wet just wasn't really part of the tour). So, bikes and bods ready, pre-ride fettle over with, (hurry up Dave), we set off on the 1st trail, Penhydd, luckily the rain had died off, and although the sun wasn't quite shining, it was dry enough. Paul popped his bike into the bike shop for new brake pads, then we made our way to the Cafe for a pot of tea, a bargain 75 pence pasty and a slice of cake, being filthy from the ride didn't seem to matter. In here we found John, who will feature later. So, Paul Picked up his bike, 15 quid for new brake pads, fitting included, seemed a bargain, and off we set to crack the Wall. A fair bit of fire road on this one to start with, we were feeling it by the top of the climb, mainly because the heavens had opened and the Welsh mountains were releasing what seemed like a weeks worth or rain on us. Luckily Mike wasn't hurt after a comedy roll over a bank because he couldn't clip out. The single track on this trail seemed to be more rocky than the previous one, this probably led us to being a little bit more cautious of the terrain and perhaps slow us down a tadge. The only mechanical problem of the day being a puncture seemed to be pretty good. Finishing off the final single track was fantastic and we made our way back to the visitors centre very wet and muddy, but overall feeling very satisfied with the day's riding. After a quick dip of legs in the local stream (the shower block had closed by the time we finished), bikes loaded up, we set off to our Hotel. We stayed at The Castle Hotel in Neath, which seemed pretty equipped for mountain bikers, they have a secure warehouse for the bikes (although we made sure we had a fair amount of secure locks as well), and didn't seem too bothered by 6 muddy blokes walking through the reception. The rooms were of a good standard and seemed to be pretty much be what we needed. Now some people might think that £45 a night for a weekend's riding may be a bit steep, but after the 3 course meal of pate on toast, Welsh rack of Lamb, followed by treacle pudding and custard, then coffee, the price didn't seem to bad (and don't forget about the full English breakfast in the morning either). Having a bar at hand didn't seem to bother us, and after a few more scary beers in Neath (spot the tourist), we flaked out for the night. Saturday - Day 2: After a fairly sleepless night (a number or reasons including the nightclub across the road, Dave having midnight cramp in his leg, mystery snorers and a 5 am bottle bank wake up call), a fantastic breakfast was consumed. Bikes were loaded onto cars and off we set to Glyncorrwg mountain bike centre. first impressions were good, the centre was definitely a notch up from the Afan one. So, after a large amount of fettling over with, and with our guest riders Matt and Matt ready to go, we set off on the Skyline trail. But not for long.. the very fist turn into the trail and not one, but two chains snap, Iain and Matt's, apparently the first climb on this trail is renowned for chain carnage. So, after 15 minutes we were off again, well, until Matt's chain snapped again, Mr fix-it Ian Cranston was on hand to get us going again.. well, until 3rd time unlucky, and this time not only did the chain snap, but ripped of the rear mech as well, with the help of Ian, a single speed mountain bike was made, and Matt made his way back down to the car park while the rest of us, including Matt (Duck), continued on. This climb seemed to go on and on, probably because of the previous mechanical issues, once at the top we bumped into John who we met at the Afan trail centre, as he was riding on his own, we welcomed him into the gaggle that we were, as for his bike, a 1989 Bonterager rigid.. a classic, although his pace was a bit slower going down really steep technical stuff, his technique was spot on, and he flew up any climb. Also joining us on some of the way was a young couple training for the Merdian Marathon coming up in the next few weeks, Ian of course not having any shame in chatting up the very fit female rider while her boyfriend looked on with venom! So, the skyline trail, we thought that the climbing, most of it which was on fire roads, and even some of the single track you had to pedal to keep a good pace, did not really justify the final decent of single track, by the time you did get there, you were pretty fatigued to enjoy it (especially after the full day's riding the day before), if we were to do it again, I think cutting out the third section so as to enjoy the final decent would be a good idea. Once back at the centre, we enjoyed an easy lunch at the drop-off cafe, washed the bikes, and made our weary way back to the hotel. After another 3 course meal (Welsh fillet steak this time), a few beers, joviality with Heather the lovely waitress, and the second wind kicks in, and as it's a lads weekend you've just got to hit the town. Neath seemed to be a lot quieter tonight, but still a good night had by all. Come 1 am, beers and kebab's consumed, it was time to get our heads down ready for the next trail. Sunday - Day 3: A better nights sleep, another full English, and to the trails we go, heading back to Glyncorrwg for the White's level trail. We meet Matt D at the trail head. Off we go.. and guess what, another chain at exactly the same place as yesterday, Paul sorted it out pretty quickly thought and we were soon on our way. The White's Level trail uses the same climb as yesterday's Skyline, but this time we seem to get up there without any hitches and it seems a lot quicker, even with the late night with copious amounts of alcohol (kebabs may have played a part in staving of the worst of the hangover). Now it's the fun bit, the black run, Matt as usual was off, experience showing as he just seemed to clear the trail as if it was a pavement, the rest of us following up in our own manner of speed and agility, all seemed to be going pretty well until Iain (Anderson), came rattling down the end of the black run, rear mech hanging on the cable after being ripped of, cue Mr fix it Ian (Cranston) for another single speed job. And on we go, well that is until Graeme hits a rock, goes over the bars and snaps yet another rear mech hanger, but praise be, Mike turns into the hero of the day and produces a spare one, ten minutes later and we are on our way again. The final decent is just a blast, back to flowing single track with tight switchbacks and tricky little rock steps and jumps to catch you out, I think as we didn't want any more incidents we probably took it a bit easy, still arriving at the bottom with the necessary grins on our faces. After a great lunch once again at the drop-off cafe (the Welsh rarebit and beans on toast just great pit stop food), it's bikes on cars and homeward bound, and not too soon as it looks like rain is on it's way! The end So, some people don't like trail centre's, some people do, all I can say is we had a real blast, and hopefully it's improved our riding skills and confidence. It certainly takes it out on the bikes, so it goes to say that after 3 chain breakages, 3 rear mech hanger failures, 1 rear shock failure, several punctures, and a couple of sets of brake pad replacements, it makes sense to make sure you and the bike are prepared before you go.
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