![\""Dyfi\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/9\/2021\/04\/Dyfi-ca5350a.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Dyfi-Bike-Park\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>1. Slab Track, Dyfi Bike Park<\/h3>\n
There\u2019s no denying the fearsome reputation of Dyfi Bike Park<\/a>. Although its appeal has widened with the opening of two red tracks for intermediate riders, the original black downhill lines \u2013 which served as a training ground for the Athertons\u2019<\/a> World Cup racing long before the park opened to the public \u2013 are still here. It\u2019s the triple-black-diamond Slab Track that takes the honours as Dyfi\u2019s most gnarly tech trail, though.<\/p>\n The top section is properly tough and provides little let-up, requiring full concentration and healthy doses of skill and commitment to conquer without crashing. It begins with several sizable rock drops that are best not to roll. In fact, rock is the standout trail feature here. Big, sharp and awkwardly-angled rocks punctuate the track, making it impossible to find a smooth line down.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve got through the worst of this, the trail steepens significantly. Careful braking, balance and body position are needed to make it down safely. The track features several narrow, steep, rock-filled chutes with tight corners on the exit, immediately followed by substantial drops. To add to the difficulty, if you\u2019re not riding on rock, it\u2019s loose shale under your tyres \u2013 not ideal for trying to slow down on steep technical turns.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve made it past the gullies, you\u2019re onto the eponymous slab \u2013 a 60ft-long bedrock monster that\u2019s the final obstacle before you\u2019re fired out into a more flowing, high-speed section of trail, where you can finally ease off the brakes. The Slab isn\u2019t for the faint-hearted, but if you\u2019ve got the skills, it\u2019ll leave you grinning.<\/p>\n Get there<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Dyfi Bike Park is located on the southern border of Snowdonia National Park, just off the A478 near Pantperthog, between Machynlleth and Dolgellau. The postcode is SY10 9AS.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Facilities<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Parking, uplift, cafe, toilet, shop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Trail stats<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Six runs graded red to triple black.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Contact<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n www.dyfibikepark.co.uk<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Not all technical trails are descents, and we think the climb from the car park to the top of the mountain on the Twrch Trail at Cwmcarn<\/a> is one of the most difficult trail-centre ascents out there. This is no well-groomed bike park track \u2013 it feels like a proper ride in the hills.<\/p>\n The Twrch is an old classic now that\u2019s been well-weathered, and while the start has had a refresh with the construction of the new blue trail, the rest is a real test of strength, skill and stamina. If ever you have to earn your turns, it\u2019s here. The first challenge is the trail surface. Tyres don\u2019t roll easily over the rough, rocky terrain so it takes a lot of effort to maintain any semblance of momentum.<\/p>\n The trail also undulates a lot and the rises are steep, often with exposed rocks and tricky line choices. Even in the mellower sections, the uneven ground doesn\u2019t give you any respite. Then there are a number of sustained steep kicks up the hill that require excellent climbing technique and strength to clear them. It all feels pretty relentless too, because the ascent carries on for a few kilometres.<\/p>\n Once you make it three-quarters of the way up, you climb the final stretch on fireroad, which is a welcome break, although still not easy. Then there\u2019s a last short but seriously steep section to the top, after which you can take a well-earned rest knowing you\u2019ve just conquered one of the toughest trail centre climbs in the UK.<\/p>\n After this, of course, you get to reap the rewards of your suffering on some enjoyable traversing sections. Then comes the best bit of all \u2013 the Twrch\u2019s super-fun final singletrack descent.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Hidden away amid the dark conifers of Clocaenog Forest, Foel Gasnach is a somewhat underground downhill venue deep in the heart of the rugged and beautiful Welsh<\/a> countryside. While it isn\u2019t the biggest or most extensive riding spot, if hard, techy downhills are what you\u2019re into, it\u2019s well worth hunting out.<\/p>\n The steep, twisting, root-infested trails give gravity riders a real chance to hone their skills, and the dirt offers excellent grip in the wet \u2013 just as well given how much it rains here! Although, Foel also boasts woven webs of slick roots that no tyre compound on earth could make feel easy to ride.<\/p>\n With four main tracks plus lots of line options, there\u2019s a good range of terrain to go at, and Steve Hunter \u2013 the driving force behind Foel \u2013 will whip you back up to the top in his uplift bus in no time\u00a0(and at a very reasonable price too) so you can hammer out the runs till your arms give way.<\/p>\n Track 4 is probably our favourite descent here. It starts off fairly mellow but soon picks up pace as the hill steepens, throwing you into some wide sections where it\u2019s essential to spot your line and stay committed on the roots. After this, the corners tighten up briefly before opening back out into a fast run of tabletops and hip jumps.<\/p>\n A wild, drifty left-hander into a drop (or a ballsy pre-jump) signals the start of the bottom section, which is filled with more chicanes, switchbacks and roots, all the way to the bottom. It\u2019s a classic Welsh DH (love) affair \u2013 fast, fun and sure to keep you on your toes, especially in the wet.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry if you haven\u2019t got a DH bike, as EWS star Elliott Heap regularly comes here to train, and the speed he sends it through the tight trees at is proof you don\u2019t need one! As we went to press, Foel\u2019s tracks were temporarily closed \u2013 keep an eye on social media for a reopening date.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> This red-graded cross-county trail in the Forest of Dean<\/a> concentrates pretty much everything that makes a fun bike ride into its 16km length. From the outset it\u2019s a technical challenge with demanding, root-infested uphill switchbacks that don\u2019t let you find a pedalling rhythm and require plenty of power to clear, that is if you don\u2019t spin out on them. Once the roots become more sparse there\u2019s a little more flow, but manmade rock sections add to the fun while tight turns keep you focused.<\/p>\n The first ascent is a lung-buster that requires good technique to maintain balance and traction. Splitting the climb is a short downhill that threads its way through tight trees on a natural surface, which can be extremely greasy when wet. Then there\u2019s a steep uphill punch with a technical hairpin entrance, and the gradient doesn\u2019t ease off until you emerge on the fireroad.<\/p>\n The ensuing descent is fast, open and rough, with plenty of wide roots sprawling along its length that make it tough to decide which line is best. It\u2019s wisest to commit to whichever one you\u2019re on, to avoid catching one of the many exposed roots at an angle that\u2019ll send you flying. A newer section of trail then follows, with more of the same great, natural-feeling riding.<\/p>\n Even once you complete the upper loop of this figure-of-eight route and begin heading back to the car park, the challenge doesn\u2019t stop. Narrow trees and more roots make for an entertaining last hurrah.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section>Dyfi Bike Park, Mid Wales<\/h6>\n
![\""Cwmcarn.\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/9\/2021\/04\/Cwmcarn-ab2f5e4.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Cwmcarn\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>2. Twrch Trail, Cwmcarn<\/h3>\n
Cwmcarn Forest, South Wales<\/h6>\n
Get there<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Cwmcarn Forest Drive is signposted off the A467, seven miles from junction 28 of the M4. The postcode is NP11 7FA.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Facilities<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Parking, uplift (www.cwmdown.co.uk<\/a>), cafe, shop, bike wash, toilets, showers.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Trail stats<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Two red XC loops (Twrch, 13.4km and Cafall, 15km), a short blue trail (Pwca, 3.3km), plus black and red downhill tracks (Y Mynydd and Pedalhounds).<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Contact<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
www.mbwales.com<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
![\""Foel\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/9\/2021\/04\/Foel-Gasnach-92f8e16.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Foel-Gasnach\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>3. Track 4, Foel Gasnach<\/h3>\n
Foel Gasnach, North Wales<\/h6>\n
Get there<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Foel Gasnach is located deep in the Clocaenog Forest, North Wales. The postcode is LL15 2DR. Once you get to the end of the tarmac road, follow the \u2018FDHR\u2019 signs through the forest to the car park.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Facilities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Parking, uplift, bike wash.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Trail stats<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Four black\/orange downhill tracks and a mini bike park<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Contact<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
www.fdhr.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
![\""5\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/9\/2021\/04\/Best-tech-trails-2-a6aaf97.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Best-tech-trails-2\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>4. Freeminer\u2019s Trail, Forest of Dean<\/h3>\n
Cannop, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire<\/h6>\n
Get there<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Cannop Cycle Centre is in the Forest of Dean, just off the B4234 between Cinderford and Coleford. The postcode is GL16 7EH.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Facilities<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Parking, uplift (www.flyupdownhill.co.uk<\/a>), cafe, shop, bike hire, bike wash, toilets, showers.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Trail stats<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Blue (Verderer\u2019s, 11km) and red (Freeminer\u2019s, 11km) XC loops, beginner and advanced skills areas,11+ official downhill\/enduro tracks plus plenty of off-piste trails.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
Contact<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
www.pedalabikeaway.co.uk<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
![\""The\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/9\/2021\/04\/The-Golfie-ca34131.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"The-Golfie\"\\"\/")
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