Not all woods, but here’s some

Yesterday saw the official launch of the new Syfydrin trail at Nant yr Arian, sponsored by Continental Tyres (Conti importers Cambrian Tyres are based in nearby Aberystwyth). And, being Wales, it lobbed it down…

Still, there was no dampening of the spirits of the representatives of the Forestry Commission Wales, Continental Tyres, Ceredigion County Council, the British Horse Society and the trailbuilders themselves who’d all gathered for the official opening by Cllr Stan Thomas, leader of Ceredigion County Council. County Council? British Horse Society? What’s going on here?

Well, the Syfydrin trail is a little bit different from most FC trails. Nant yr Arian is actually quite a small forest, so to make a long trail (and the Syfydrin is 35km) the designers had to venture beyond FC land onto existing rights of way. Which is where the County Council and British Horse Society come in.

Old skool ruggedness (more impressive in better weather)

The trail is the result of a three-way partnership between the FC, the County Council and Continental, with input coming from the BHS to ensure that the multi-use sections of the trail remain horse-friendly. Horse riding is a big thing in the area, and it’s no good annexing miles of rights of way for bikes…

Trailbuilder Andy Bakewell explained that the trail is designed so that horses and bikes go in opposite directions on the multi-use sections so they can see each other coming, and those sections are plenty wide enough for easy passing. On the steeper, narrower stuff, bikes and horses take completely different routes. It’s very heartening to see the worlds of MTB and horse working together in this way. Out of all user groups we probably have the most in common with the equestrians, and they’re a considerably more organised and potent lobbying force than us – well worth keeping in with…

The presence of existing rights of way – which have been upgraded with new gates, signposting and better drainage – in the loop makes the Syfydrin unique amongst Forestry trails and lends the route a more epic feel than most. The estimated ride time is 3-5 hours and we don’t mind admitting that, what with the extremely damp conditions, we missed a little bit out. Well, OK, about 15 miles in fact. Essentially you’ve got an opening fireroad climb and singletrack descent, then a big loop out northwards over the hills (reaching to within a couple of miles of one of the Machynlleth loops at its furthest extent – there are plans to link the two) followed by a more singletrack and fast, open tracks back to the centre.

More than just forests

We’re told that there are some fantastic views when you can see them, and we don’t doubt it. The full loop is undoubtedly a Proper Ride (the short bit we did had some very substantial climbs in it) and like all the best trails it finishes with an excellent stretch of swoopy singletrack.

FC trail supreme Daffyd Davis believes that Nant yr Arian has the biggest potential of any of the Welsh MTB centres, and he may well be right. The combination of purpose-built trails in the woods and more rugged stuff out in the hills is a winner in our book – we’ll be back when the weather’s a bit better…

More information about Nant yr Arian at www.mbwales.com.