A community-run dirt jump paradise in South Wales, maintained by volunteers and with tracks for all abilities
TRAIL STATS
Distance Jump lines are about 150m
Climbing Push up
Time Jump lines take 10-20secs, dual slalom track about 40secs
Grading Beginner to pro dirt jump lines
WHY RIDE HERE?
With four pump tracks, five-plus sets of dirt jumps and a dual slalom track, there’s something for everyone. Friendly locals sweeten the deal!
RAD…
Fast-draining, grippy dirt means the trails run well in all but the wettest Welsh weather
The jumps get progressively more difficult as you ascend the hill, so it’s the perfect place to progress your skills
BAD…
Track length is limited compared to most bike parks
Heading east out of Caerphilly on Van Road, there’s a small gateway leading to a car park and ponds, set in the hills a stone’s throw north of Cardiff. Ride up the fireroad and you’ll soon come across the trails, which start small and get bigger until you reach the mighty pro line and the start ramp for the permanent dual slalom track.
In a past life, this was a small unofficial spot known as the’ Goldtec jumps’, after the local Goldtec/BETD MTB parts business, which Jason Carpenter (dad of former DH world champ Manon) was involved with. I remember being stoked to discover them during my first year of university, and having sessions there sending jumps built with pallets to cover the gaps. Since then, the Van Road Trails have been legitimised, thanks to investment from Natural Resources Wales, who wanted to create a safe and accessible venue. Lots of hard work by a handful of dedicated volunteers has ensured there’s now something for every rider, from grom to expert. It’s all free to ride, although you can help support running costs by becoming a member, starting at just £2.50 a month.
Joining forces
The Van Road Trails are a great example of what can happen when enthusiastic local riders come together with a government-sponsored body. NRW are an NGO (non-governmental organisation), but receive financial support from the Welsh government. They’re keenly pro-MTB, too, not least because mountain bikers bring in thousands of pounds of extra tourist income to Wales every year, thanks to the nation’s amazing terrain and close proximity to England. NRW even employ MTB rangers to liaise with local riders, monitor and repair official trails, and help create clubs and rider collectives, and they’re committed to preserving and legitimising off-piste trails wherever possible, instead of destroying them.
Today I’m meeting up with some local legends – Cai Grocott, Leon Rosser and Ross Price. Cai is a pro EWS racer for Nukeproof and loves enduro almost as much as he does razzing around on Yamaha TT-R motorbikes. Leon has known Van Road from its inception, riding and racing a variety of bikes and spending time there with his four boys. Ross now races DH but originally fell in love with MTBing through dirt jumping with friends. He invested an inordinate amount of time in digging and sculpting at Wookey Trails, which culminated in Tommy C filming a segment there for A Slice Of British Pie. The venue has since been all but shut down by the owners, so Ross has turned his considerable energy and talent with a spade to Van Road.
Dirt dominators
At the bottom of the hill, the Van Road Trails start with beginner pump tracks, ideal for newcomers to MTB and BMX. They then progress up the slope with a couple of intermediate pump tracks, before you reach the lines on the higher levels, which are best described as pro-level. The penultimate set consists of sculpted steep-and-poppy dirt jumps, while a line in the middle remains under construction but promises to be even more sendy and offer transfer opportunities. Suitably top-tier, the highest track has a steep and wide first straight of jumps, then turns a corner off a shark fin into some truly monster doubles and finishes on a giant hip jump that wouldn’t look out of place on Whistler Bike Park’s infamous Dirt Merchant line! In the corner a short trick jump lies in wait for some action.
Dominating the right-hand side of the site is Van Road’s famous dual slalom track, which has seen innumerable unofficial races and a handful of official ones. Often in attendance is Manon Carpenter, a major supporter of the venue, whose dad Jason was active in its redesign with NRW. The plan is to continue running these races to raise money for the insurance, risk assessments and various important initiatives that must be fulfilled to keep the trails functioning safely.
Welsh gold
We spend some time on the second-highest plateau of the site, where some entertaining dirt jumps beckon. This has been Ross’s baby for the past month – he’s beaten back the encroaching flora to expose the Welsh gold beneath, which he and Leon have spent countless hours shaping. The first straight starts with a rollable triple before a step-on-step-off feature builds speed for the next boosty double. Around the corner a shark fin funnels you into two giant hip jumps, which look intimidating but are actually easy to clear and a great opportunity to pull some tricks or shapes.
Cai is gutted that his new Nukeproof DJ bike hasn’t arrived in time for today, but makes remarkably easy work of the steep dirt jumps on his full-sus Scout 29er. Ross looks at home on his NS and is boosting into the trees. Leon is scrubbing and whipping so hard he blows his hand off the handlebar, but rides away OK! The dual slalom track is next on our hit list, and we take it in turns to line up. This track is addictive! It promotes close racing, as you never know who’s truly ahead until the finish line. The wide variety of corners and the multiple jump combinations keep even the most experienced racers on their toes, and there are plenty of moments when the two riders almost touch as they slide towards the opposing lane.
Ross is the reigning Masters Van Road champ and dispatches the more technical corners with ease, showing his local knowledge. Cai gets absurdly tweaked on the scrub-jump halfway down, laying his bike flat and nosed-in, and hitting his leg on the seat so vigorously his foot blows off! Ross and Leon continue having a tussle, their similar bikes leading to close racing until finally they go over the scrubjump neck-and-neck, Leon’s rear tyre makes contact with Ross’s hand and they nearly go down!
Send it to the sky
Lastly, we make our way to the big behemoth at the top of Van Road, the pro line. These jumps are the biggest on the site and are suitably intimidating. In no time, all the crew are sending them and even throwing in some tricks. At the end of a brilliantly fun day, we cruise down the dual slalom track one final time, photographer Andy toting his camera gear, then regroup in the car park to compare sketchy moments. This riding spot has gone through many iterations, but the future looks bright for Van Road with funding steadily streaming in and a core team of local enthusiasts taking care of business behind the scenes. Check it out for yourself!
TRAILCREW WISDOM
JAMES DAVIES, VAN ROAD TRAILS VOLUNTEER
“It’s great that we’ve had this facility on our doorstep for 10 years now (in its official capacity). That’s all down to a small, dedicated group of people who’ve helped with trail maintenance, fundraising and organising, in addition to NRW’s help and support. All ages and abilities use the place, and with the ongoing improvements, next summer should be better than ever. Come along, ride safely, have fun, improve your skills, keep the place tidy, pitch in and make a donation if you can. That’s what keeps the trails here alive!”
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Locals do…
Lend a hand digging. Every little helps, and spending time with experienced trail builders is a great way to learn the craft!
Support the Van Road Trails group on Facebook, keeping up with goings-on and helping out with fundraisers, which are crucial to keep these trails in existence
Wear approriate head protection
Locals don’t…
Drop litter – take it home with you, as with anywhere else
MEET THE CREW
WILL SOFFE
MBUK’s staff writer isn’t a dirt jumper but loves sending his MTB and riding BMX parks
LEON ROSSER
This cage-fighting, 4Xracing, MX-riding fatherof-four still finds time to ride dirt jumps alongside his plastering business!
ROSS PRICE
A passionate trail builder and DH racer, currently putting many spadehours into Van Road.
CAI GROCOTT
Nukeproof pro and Enduro World Series racer Cai loves sending jumps, even on a 29er. A wizard on a TT-R, too!
THE DIRECTORY
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAN ROAD TRAILS
GET THERE
By road: The site is just east of Caerphilly, up Van Road towards Rudry. Use the postcode CF83 3DB.
By train: Caerphilly railway station is a short ride away.
FACILITIES
Parking.
NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
BikeShredz, Caerphilly (029 2088 9857)
CONTACT
www.vanrdtrails.co.uk
OTHER RIDING
Mountain View Bike Park
A great venue with pump tracks, jump lines and XC loop, plus bike shop and cafe.
BikePark Wales
The UK’s largest bike park, offering green to pro-level runs, uplift, coaching, bike shop/hire, cafe and more.
Rampworld Cardiff
Wales’s premier skate park with street area, bowl and foam pit.
VERDICT
This community-run dirt jump spot has bags of variety for riders of all skill levels, and its top-class dual slalom track is a major draw, especially on race days. It provides a place where locals can dig at a sanctioned venue supported by the council and NRW, and the friendliness of the riders means this is an inclusive place to visit, regardless of your bike or ability. If you want to combine a trip with some trail or enduro riding, then the off-piste trails at Rudry and Caerphilly mountain are good.