Mountain bikers taking part in the recent Brechfa Team Enduro helped to raise £1,500 for Wales Air Ambulance.

The Wales Air Ambulance provides a life-saving service to many areas of rural Wales, and 110 riders in the event enjoyed a meandering loop through the Forestry Commission Wales-managed Brechfa forest as well as raising money for the charity.

The Brechfa Team Enduro is now in its second year. Organised by the Brechfa Bike Club in association with Forestry Commission Wales, the event is becoming an established fixture in the mountain bike calendar.

The event took teams of two or more riders deep into Brechfa forest along the Gorlech trail and the new Raven Trail before finishing at the Abergorlech Forest Car Park, where a barbecue was provided by the Black Lion pub.

For the less energetic, there was a short cut from the full 31 mile loop enabling riders to complete the course in 21.7 miles. The fastest recorded time of the event was under three hours.

Ivy Denham of Brechfa Bike Club says: “We’re a small group set up to organise this fund-raising endurance event and to help promote the Brechfa Forest trails. Being able to work closely with, and have support from, the local Forestry Commission Wales staff is vital for the club.

“We look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.”

FC Wales Local Area Manager Russell Jones added: “We are pleased to work with the Brechfa Bike Club and are thrilled that the event raised so much for the Wales Air Ambulance.”

More at www.bikebrechfa.co.uk/events.htm