Diary of a Mountain biker

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Here's the tourist blurb... The purpose built Twrch Trail is cut into a steep sided valley in the heart of Cwmcarn forest park. On a clear day from the highest point there are great views of the Bristol Channel and the Black Mountains. Just 7 miles from Junction 27 of the M4, it's hard to believe that you are right in the industrial heart of South Wales.

For a downloadable pdf of the trail see www.mbwales.com/cwm_carn/cwm_carn_map.htm

The first climb out of the overflow car park is fairly straightforward but you can feel your legs starting to burn as you haven't had a chance to warm up. After five minutes climbing you are quickly into the first of the rollercoaster style singletrack that is so typical of this part 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. After this section you exit at the visitor gate by the river.

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

The climb up Giant's finger sees the singletrack creep steeply up the hillside. It's a relief to hit the simple fire road that takes you to the crest allowing you to climb without concentrating on which line to take. On a decent day there is a fantastic view from here. Now for 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 - Gate Keepers, Archie's lift, Castle Valley, Dragon's Tongue and Dragon's Teeth. Angel's Posts sees you cut across the side of a hill. 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 you hit the town some 900 feet below.

An exit onto the road before the final swooping downhill, exiting to the car park.

It's only 15.5 km but it feels much longer and I can guarantee you will want to return. Why not go for a second loop and nail some of those sections whilst it's still fresh in your mind?

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