Caerphilly trails (AKA Goldtec) Under Threat

Caerphilly trails are due to be bulldozed unless we can persuade both the Council and the Forestry Commission that they are worth saving. Send an Email putting forward your opinions on the matter to both:

fcwenquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
countryside@caerphilly.gov.uk

This would be another great loss to the South Wales mountainbike scene and im sure there is a load of us out there that would be totally gutted to see them go. There is also a facebook group "Help save the Goldtec Trails aka Van Road Trails" Time to get involved and stop another awesome location getting shut down.

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One BFe, One day, Four disciplines

This post got lost in all of the end of term fun. However the pictures are too good to let sit unseen and are definitely a bit of a reminder of what our summer weather should look like!!

The plan was to hit the road early with the guys for a lap of Afan, then on to Tredegar BMX track for a few motos. This was followed up by some DH, valley style, ready for an evening of Dirt Jumping at Caerphilly to use up all the remaining light. Finally our activities were chased down by the compulsory sweet and sour chicken-balls and chips outside the castle!!

Rd1 Afan - The Wall

Eventually having made it out of Swansea, late thanks to jack ripping the handle off his garage door locking his bike in and some overly officious car park attendants up at uni. We were on the road with the prospect of The Walls long fireroad climb as a warm up and a painful wake up call. This, my first ride of the wall and as far as Mega training goes it really is one of the best. The trail is seriously Alpine feeling, the hot summer air and smell of pine trees makes for the start of an amazing ride. The views from the sides of the hill look down the near deserted valley down towards the welsh coast, stunning. Likewise the riding is top notch. Another full on descent fast, narrow, rocky that for an xc route really tests the nerve of us DH boys.


Rd2 Tredegar BMX

The track looked in great condition after having been groomed for the national up there the previous week. Jason's new pump/play track is now up and running and really finishes off the place. The view across from the start hill is now an unbroken mass of jumps and berms. The play track is also great for less experienced riders providing them an opportunity to get the feel of what a BMX track is about with out having to face a full sized track straight off. It is however incredibly tight so small wheels recommended.


Rd3 Valley Dh

Valley loom is so much fun!! This trail is loose drifty but even in a week since we were last there the ferns had grown. They were poised ready to grab you leaving no room for error. This is the perfect afternoon track with nice easy push, lots of sun and a cool breeze.



Rd4 Caerfilly DJ

This is still one of my favourite places to spend an evening. The sun goes down behind the trails and the orange hue of the dirt blends into the sunset. The jumps are big challenging and a lot of fun. More trails need to be this way they are built with corners and hips in mind so you do lots of changing of direction and makes it really lively and fun to ride. Rob was seriously on form. Not having much dirtjumping experience and on his 'sx trail' he was making it smoothly half way down the main line. He was more than proving our philosophy that one bike can be all thats needed to have fun in any type/style of riding.

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Some Philosophical Rambling!

Went up to Tredegar today with Sion and Jack, the van was absolutely rammed full of bikes and we were all stoked for a quality days riding. We ended up ditching the DH idea and heading back via Caerphilly trails. Filly is riding mint at the moment, we had an awesome impromptu session. The bikes have been a bit neglected recently, getting out today reminded me just how good it is to be out having a laugh with your mates. I have just caught the surf bug again and have been out 3 or 4 times a week. A good session is immense, chilling out the back with mates and then all charging for the same waves, sun going down and that really calm feeling that comes from lying out on the sea. It still doesn't stand up to biking though, biking has so much buzz, one run down the hill and you have a stupid grin on your face, that doesn't depend on weather conditions! A hill will always be a hill. I think it is important to keep it mixed up and try other things, when you pick the bike back up it gives you so much appreciation for the sport. Nothing makes more sense than two wheels and a hill!

I have been back in Swansea for getting on a month now. The start of term is mental so much getting crammed in, partying mainly! It has been absolutely awesome fun and great to catch up with old mates as well as meeting some new ones. I am running the DH/DJ side of the bike club this year which is really exciting. I think we have more than 60 riders signed up which rocks. Took the DH lot up Clyne on Wednesday and theres definitely a few guys showing some serious talent which should give some of us old boys a bit of a kick to sort our act out! This year looks stacked already with a load of trips and races planned, should be off the hook!

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Dirt Jump/Trails Video: Woburn and Caerphilly

Was up at Woburn on the weekend here is the video with a bit of action from Caerphilly thrown in, story and pics to follow.

Riders: Robbie Rickman, Kenny Howard and Chris Barnard. Filming by Fred Rickman

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Mini road trip - Wales

The plan was to hit Caerphilly trails Friday, party in Bristol, Still woods on Saturday then onto Swansea for more partying and a quick session at Clyne. Filly was awesome proper techy trails steep sniper landings, made it all the way to the end of the main line for the first time ever! Stoked on that.

Kenny at filly

Stayed over at Andys in Bristol. Checked out The Hatchet, recommended quality pub. Then onto The Academy. Good old British weather kicked in the next day, torrential rain and Still woods are definately not a recommended combo! The day wasn't so successful John came off on a berm twisting his ankle badly, obviously in a lot of pain. He sat out and watched as another rider came off a drop and lost control on the landing shoulder barging one tree and then into another rugby tackling it taking the full impact on his chest. He managed to get up laughing but not after we all legged it down the hill, definately one of the gnarliest crashes Ive witnessed in person, scary. Eventually John made it back to the car and Ken took him to hospital! V. Ironic! (there is a long history of Kenny destroying hims elf and getting scraped up by John!) It turns out he broke his leg and is needing operations, pins and plates, not good.

Small River Drop on the BFe

Up at Clyne Sunday a little dryer and could actually get some riding in! I was shocked to see someone has altered one of my favourite tracks and in my opinion not for the better. It used to be quality low risk fun that was super greasy making any cornering almost impossible. It was all about getting muddy and sliding about, mostly without the bike! Now someones dug in berms the whole way up. I appreciate someone putting the work in but it still killed an awesome trail in my eyes. Anyway shame, rant over! We had a bit of a play and then headed over to the river drops. There are 2 large drops down by the river that drop onto an awesome steep landing the smaller one is prob 8-10ish foot drop and has a nice gap to it the bigger one is more 12-15ish and is literally a straight drop. It feels mental, big enough to actually be really aware of falling. I hit the smaller one on the BFe making it by far the biggest thing Ive hit on a hardtail and was getting tempted by the bigger one, might have to head back with the full face and body armour when I get back. Spanish-Dave hit the smaller one which was awesome to see, if not a bit scary as it is the biggest thing hes ever tried. It looked like he was about to chicken out right before leaving the lip was getting worried, but he nailed it perfectly. Awesome!

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