Have a friend of mine coming over for a weekend at the end of October and I'd quite like us to do a natural trail on the Saturday before heading over to Coed Y Brenin on the Sunday.

Anyone got any suggestions for a good trail up there? He's a fair bit overweight so I'd like to keep it reasonably friendly, but I think he can probably manage 25 miles with some rest stops. Probably nothing harsher than a red (technically) would be a good idea as I'd rather not break him.

I did this one last year, but I recall it had some particularly rocky sections which he might not be a fan of.

Also found these:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xfcyqqitvmgphcks
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=rcgzplnmoelrpmkv

I don't know if Penmachno or Marin are considered particularly good these days.

The track you've linked to is locked but if it's the one I'm thinking of around Capel, I'd avoid it.

What you need is Pont Scethin ... I prefer it anti-clockwise meself and you can start from Barmouth.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:The track you've linked to is locked but if it's the one I'm thinking of around Capel, I'd avoid it.

What you need is Pont Scethin ... I prefer it anti-clockwise meself and you can start from Barmouth.

Pont scethin but clockwise

Richard how far north do you want to go?

I ride round the Clwyds and could take you on a ride if you like?

Should be working now. The last one linked seems to be Pont Scethin clockwise.... is that bad?

@barney: We're looking at anywhere between Anglesey (where he gets off the ferry) and Coed Y Brenin really.

Pont scethin but clockwise

No, no, that involves the horrible drag up from the bridge

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Pont scethin but clockwise

No, no, that involves the horrible drag up from the bridge

Yes, but a much longer descent...

So is that Pont Scethin link that I posted basically what you're talking about? This one:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=rcgzplnmoelrpmkv

No opinions on Penmachno / Marin?

So is that Pont Scethin link that I posted basically what you're talking about? This one:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=rcg ... nmoelrpmkv

Yeah that's pretty much it, they're starting from a different point though, not that it matters ... I'd still go anti-clockwise and WTF is it called a 'Killer Loop', it's only 12.5 miles FFS

No opinions on Penmachno / Marin?

You're going to CyB on the Sunday, why would you want to go to Penmachno or the Marin as well?

I've only done the Marin once, and that was several years ago so not best placed to comment. Never been to Penmachno.

I've done the Sarn Helen loop http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xfcyqqitvmgphcks which best done clockwise, there's one steep rocky climb (basically a push/carry) up from Pontt Cyfyng but a good moorland crossing and descent to Dolwyddelan.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: WTF is it called a 'Killer Loop', it's only 12.5 miles FFS

Well you have to get off your bike and open some gates

I have no faith in MBR's assessment of difficulty - they published two for the Dales recently, a short one that has a near impossible loose and rocky climb that they reckoned to be "easy" and a longer one that has virtually no technical difficulty whatsoever given "hard"

Bearbonesnorm wrote:You're going to CyB on the Sunday, why would you want to go to Penmachno or the Marin as well?

Well, mostly because PS is obviously only a short ride. Was looking for a couple of options.

Might not be what your after, but I can recommend Penmachno to put a smile on your face. Couple of years since I've ridden it. Fun, fast and flowy. Some sections are overly manicured and some are much more natural. My personal favourite of the purpose built Welsh trails.

Reckon I could go A5 to Penmachno, do one of the loops there, then off to Pont Scethin. Two reasonably short rides with a breather in between.

Will give him a heads up so he's fair warned! Cheers all.