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30^th November Richard, David, Gary, Shavey, Paul and Keef – Cwmcarn

Since my last visit in October, I have been desperate to get back to Cwmcarn to ride it again. I have persuaded my usual riding buddies to join me but David is questioning my sanity as he picks me up from my house at 6-40 a.m. on Saturday morning. Keef was out on the beer on Friday night and is full of cheer in the back of the car after his four hours sleep. We head round the M25 to rendezvous with the others on the M4.

After a trouble free journey we arrive in Cwmcarn at 9-25 and are soon fettling our bikes ready for the off. It is raining very lightly and very misty but it looks as though the weather will hold for the time being. The first climb out of the overflow carpark is fairly straightforward but you can feel your legs starting to burn as you haven't had a chance to warm up. However, we are quickly into the wooded rollercoaster style singletrack that is so typical of Wales. Cut into the side of the hill, you swoop down short rocky, rooty trails maintaining momentum to climb up the next small brow.

Everyone is already excited by this section of track, surprised at how quickly the fun starts and the early start is already forgotten.

Paul on the rollercoaster

Paul n Keef on Mabinogian

Mabinogian runs parallel to the river, climbing gently. Usually straightforward, the rain has made this trail quite tough as there is quite a lot of mud around here.

The mud continues as we move on to the Giant's finger. It's a relief to hit the simple fire road to the crest allowing you to climb without concentrating on which line to take. The mist means there's not much chance to for everyone to enjoy the view - don't worry, they will later.

Chris almost loses it on Giant's Finger

Gary on Airstream

After a pause for refreshment and to repair Keef's broken chain (wrong gear selection) we hit my favourite - Airstream. I love the fast, twisting turns through the desolate landscape and it makes for great pictures too.

The climb up Odin is quickly followed by more testing singletrack descent and from here it just goes on and on. Everyone is really knocked out by Angel's Posts that sees you cut across an open hillside. The trail feels really precarious as you fly along with a sheer drop to your left with seemingly nothing to stop you if you fall until the town some 900 feet below.

Keef takes a tumble near Gate Keepers

David at the Dragon's tongue

As I expected, everyone finishes with a great shit-eating grin.

After a quick lunch in the cafe, Chris and Gary decide to make their way back to Essex. They have to be home for a prior arrangement and have a long way to go. The remaining four of us are keen to repeat the trail but decide to take the short cut up the tarmac road to save time on the first section. A quick stop for Keef to adjust the spacers on his front disc brake as this has been rubbing for most of the climb.The tarmac takes us to the foot of Giant's Finger and we are soon back to the summit.

The rain is heavier now and visibility has reduced as the cloud and mist draws in. David and Paul are struggling as the effectiverness of their v-brakes is vastly reduced by the effects of the mud and rain. This plus heavy legs means that almost everyone takes at least one tumble on this lap. David ends up entangled in the branches of a fallen tree after one heavy fall.

We head for home at 3-15 and are back for six o'clock - tired but happy and dreaming of a return.

Keef

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