Thanks for your feedback Gareth. Glad you wasted another three minutes to type your comment which from a grammatical perspective, you murdered. Do you love the Tarw Du?
For anyone thinking of coming to Coed Y Brenin for the first time, the newer stuff on the other side of the forest is way more fun. While you're in the area Penmachno is well worth a go, Machynlleth is outstanding inc ClimachX final descent and Dyfi off-piste- this uses old motorbike enduro trails for fast, technical riding which are as much fun as I've had anywhere. Trailforks is good for finding them, arranging a ride with the locals even better.
@@Stopadoodledoo No worries, a couple of short vids for inspiration! Short bit of Dan Atherton chasing Rachel on Climachx final descent- ruclips.net/video/bUvv1NHIhnE/видео.html Classic Dyfi off piste- ruclips.net/video/gyCtSbtPwlc/видео.html
I rode Coed y Brenin for the first time recently and I loved it precisely because the trails are rocky and not like the groomed rubbish you get at most trail centres. I did miss out the fire road descent near the end and took a short cut down to Mantrap. If you want a rubbish trail in this area, look no further than the Marin trail (Gwydir Mawr). 2 hours of climbing for one five-minute descent!
I'll be honest, I don't really like ANY trail centre as they just don't appeal to me and are not the kind of riding I want to do. Comparing Tarw Du to Marin on the day, I remembered that I had enjoyed myself more at the Marin but that doesn't mean that I think the Marin is amazing as it isn't. This video has stirred up more passion than any other I have made. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have gone there in the first place but I did as my mates were and when I rode it, I was seriously underwhelmed and basically said so. What appears to upset people is that I said that I (personally) didn't enjoy it. I never intended this to be a trail review video as I don't do that type of video - what's the point as what I like and what others like will differ massively, as will my level of riding, experience, etc. I record what I am thinking and saying, simple as that. To put this into context, in the few weeks prior to this I'd ridden over Helvellyn, Harter Fell, Nan Bield, a collection of 'other' trails in the Lakes as well as quite a few other places that are seriously rocky, and loved them all. This place was up against some tough competition, and didn't come close to any of them. Still, if you don't go, you don't know.
I think for beginners trail centres are pretty good but when you get to be a good rider and go back to a Trail centre that you went to as a beginner you realise how tame they are .
Yep, you're right, trail centres are great for newer riders as it allows them to get out, not have to worry about navigation, they will know that they can handle the majority of features, they provide a decent level of challenge to help them progress whilst still being fun, etc. Being an old fart, I was riding before Trail Centres were a thing, I was already up in the hills so the whole trail centre thing kind of passed me by. That doesn't mean that others shouldn't love them, it's just that I most definitely didn't love this one 👍
I think trail centres are made to have every rider at every level to ride with safety (?) in mind. Once you are not average rider...it is difficult to enjoy TC. Still a blast to ride with friends!
I think you are right mate, nothing was challenging (even on the hardtail - not surprised really). We had a laugh but it was because of the stupid things said more than anything else 👍
I reckon it was more of a death spiral. The slabs were quite good fun (if a bit easy and with pointless bits like the steps and drop to flat) and I was expecting a decent descent after it but when it never materialised, that's when the rot set in. The fireroad descent though... It kind of took me back to the first time I rode in Kentmere and our guide for the day took us up singletrack to descend on boring doubletrack with gates galore (he was a lover of climbs and not overly keen on descending). It took a lot of alcohol to calm me down that day 😂 Back from holiday now (camping in Filey for the weekend). It was nice but I am exhausted now as I ended up basically being the children's entertainer for not only my daughter but her two friends (whose family we went with) too 😃
@@Stopadoodledoo I'm not great on anything too technical and I'm probably slower than a snail going backwards but I still prefer natural stuff than trail centres 👍. Bet the kids loved it, cause you are a bit of a clown 😂.
I can see the advantages of trail centres over riding in the English countryside. A trail centre will usually mean that there are no stiles, fences, gates, farms, boggy fields, dealing with sheep and walkers, road sections and getting lost, and usually a certain level of entertainment is provided on a consistant basis. But I'm not a massive fan of them because they all involve a lot of driving to get to, they're more predictable and often feel like I've not really gone anywhere, just ridding around the same forest. Usually the best scenery and best sections of singletrack are found outside of trail centres.
I can see the advantage of them in that they offer an easy and fun way for a lot of people to get out and ride without having to think about a route, the trail conditions are usually perfect for all conditions, etc., but they really aren't for me at all as they are all just so predictable. If the conditions are grim, then I tend to head for places that I know will stand up to the conditions, e.g. if it's wet and has been for a while, I'll go somewhere rocky that isn't impacted by mud. If it's windy, I'll head for forested places rather than exposed mountains, etc.
I am just glad that no matter where we ride we always have a laugh, this place certainly put that to the test as the trails were absolutely crap! Nice blow open the truth on Tawr Du video and always sticking to your honest approach. Only way to do it, hopefully people watch and actually see the pure comedy gold in there, Chris Whitty, it's not alright, Shaun the star of the show for me 🤣
Yeah, we really did have a proper laugh despite the crappy trails and I agree, Shaun is the star of the show 😂 I think the anger at me abusing the proverbial first born will cloud all the other stuff 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo 🤣🤣🤣 yep had a little bit of hate towards mine as well, not as vocal as yours but certainly not a positive final thought of the place. A lot of people are agreeing with us though, and saying it is rubbish. This first trail in UK or world does not give it an automatic sick rad rating, which some riders appear to think it does.
@@ElectricMountainBiker So right mate, It's like saying that we should all think that the original of everything should still be revered as perfect today when compared to modern counterparts. The first car ever, with it's wagon wheels, broken bathtub looks, 4mph top speed and (probably) steering with bits of rope and prayers... is it as good as literally ANY car from the last 60 years? Of course it's not but the first purpose built XC trail apparently is 😂
At least someone does, got more dislikes for this video than any other by some margin 😂 I think Shaun summed it up best with his Chris Whitty comment 😂
Natural trails are definitely my favourite kind of riding, but I like to ride trail centers too. There's not much natural riding in my area so I'm happy to ride anything tbh. I've been to Coed Y Brenin quite often and its definitely better if you make up your own route by joining up the best parts. This is what I do now and it's way more fun than tarw du.
I'm not really a fan of trail centres although have had some ok days at them, it's just not my preference at all. To be honest, I think we were in a bit of a funny mood this day because it was so hot, plus I had been told that Tarw Du was an incredible trail, and it turned out to be nothing of the sort. I can see why some think it is but it wasn't for me at all.
Cheers Derek and I agree, there's far too many people out there who will praise anything. Seems to me that Sam Pilgrim could visit a swamp with a dead owl in the middle of it and call it the sickest Bike Park Ever 😂 Back from holiday now, just a weekend away camping in Filey. Utterly exhausted now 👍
Yeah, we definitely had a laugh although by the end, everyone was a bit jaded 😃. Next time, if I have the first mouthful of poo and it tastes bad, I'll stop eating the poo 😂
Hi, sorry I have been a bit slack with replying; my bad. I found it fine on a hardtail, a bit rattly down a couple of sections but nothing that made me wish I had rear suspension. The only time it felt really harsh was going off that silly drop to flat but even on a full suspension bike, I imagine that would be as much fun as dental surgery 😃
Absolutely mate. I get that it is an old trail but surely in the 25 years since it was built, they could have added some additional singletrack in to remove the need to descent on a fireroad. 👍
I'll leave the gate open when you come back to Ambleside then 😂 cracking video and exactly what i expected. Went to Afan a few years back and just the same, kept stopping to put a seatpost down cos it was "best" for all the descents?, gave up on that idea..
We're up in the Lakes this weekend (thank God), really need it after this abomination of a trail. I really don't get why they built trail centre descents with climbs in them; I guess they were aimed squarely at the seat up XC types, especially when you consider that when they were built, dropper posts were a mere pipedream. I guess that Whinlatter has extended descents; only been there once and I was seriously underwhelmed, possibly because we had done Ullock Pike and then Whiteless Pike & Rigg Beck on the two days preceding it.
Depending on what tyre that was you are my new found hero!!! I’m currently getting my ass kicked trying to put on a magic mary 29x26 supergravity!!! Any tips welcome
It's a WTB something or other that initially came on the front of the hardtail (three years ago) and is as bald as I am. Trick is, starting at the bottom, push in and up with your thumbs to get all the tension towards the top (e.g. when your thumbs are almost meeting) and there is enough slack to either be able to pop the tyre off by hand or easily get a tyre lever in. I've even managed it with the old Michelin mud spike tyres and they are seriously tough tyres to seat 👍
I get you, I’m not really a fan of trail centres ether can’t beet a good day out in the hills exploring different areas not knowing what you’ll discover round the next corner. However tail centres do have there place they are fun if a little boring one looks the same as any other wherever you visit in the country. But some people love them for there easy ride fix they give. Also nothings more boring than riding a fire road to your next piece of single track. I remember some years ago visiting Wales and just riding the various well known trail centres the following year we did the Lakes and all natural. I remember the Lakes extremely well and how amazing it was. Wales I remember very little it was just all the same. I think trail centres are more enjoyable if using a ebike or even a motorbike I don’t own either but I would think you would get more from it.
Yeah, they definitely have their place and are popular with a lot of people, it's just that I'm not one of them. I don't think I am in any way better because I don't like them, but I'm one to speak my mind (and my views - a lot of people didn't like that with this video 😃). To be honest, I don't mind Gwydyr Mawr (The Marin) as it's quite natural feeling in places. Even then, I don't make any effort to go there. Descending on fireroads (or even worse, tarmac) really winds me up, always seem like a real waste of a climb. One that really wound me up a few years ago was Walna Scar (above Coniston); it used to be a fantastic descent, rough as hell, techy in places. It's now (or was) like a really long Sustrans path descent - I'll never ride it again!
Well that didn’t disappoint cried with laughter why would anybody travel past all that fantastic countryside to go round coed unless it’s lashing down . Went there with a group and instead I did barnmouth and cadir who was wearing the bigger smile Keep it up most entertaining
Cheers mate. Funnily enough, on the way to Coed, we took a wrong turn and went down the narrowest lane ever with five gates across it, cows, sheep, the lot. It was probably more interesting than the ride itself 😂
Did the beast on an ebike and apart from a ridiculous fire road loop 2/3 off the way round found the descents good fun - and I am definitely no trail center fan and love the techy stuff - the natural stuff will always win until that’s all been bloody sanitised by councils up and down the country!!
I kind of have been to BPW but back when it was called Gethin and was a Dragons DH track and nothing else. Mates who have been say it's ok but nothing special, and wouldn't be worth bothering with at all if it wasn't for the uplift. Likewise, I've been to Cannock years ago, but only the Stile Cop bit. I thought it was ok but it was on the way back from a weekend in the Lakes and paled into insignificance with what we had been riding, plus we were spending a lot of time riding in South Wales at the time (Dragon DH races and uplifts) so as a DH venue, it seemed a bit lame.
Tarw du (taroo dee) Is a lovely little route and to say the slab isn't steep is just plain daft. I do all disciplines of MTB and each has their purpose. Trails centres are great for bad weather riding, or just a painless fun day out, downhill places like BPW and Antur are out and out fun. Wild riding is extremely enjoyable if you like taking in views with a bit of non man-made tech thrown in, but depending on the route, pedestrians are a PITA. BTW There are sections of the beast that easily go toe to toe with the lakes TBH. Listening to you in this video reminds me of old school downhillers that just said every other discipline apart from theirs was for wombats. you might not like it, but from some of the things you'd said, you had already decided you hated it before you even began and just looked for excuses to say so.
If I didn't enjoy it and didn't think it was that good a trail, why would I say that it is? To make viewers who do like it happy? Sorry, but I speak my mind and do make clear that it is MY opinion and that I don't do trail reviews, I just ride and film it. Also, I did not think the Slab was that steep, it's just a roll and not a difficult one so again, why would I say that it is if I don't think that? I went there with open eyes but yeah, hand built trail centre trails do nothing for me although I am happy that many people love them - it would be a boring World if we all liked the same things. I do not look down on those that do like them or think that they are somehow inferior, in what way would they be if that is what they like? Saying that sections of The Beast are as good as stuff in the Lakes though? Really? 😂 I don't think you would find many that agree with you on that one. Thanks for the Dislike by the way; every Dislike I get for this video just goes to show that we are supposed to toe the line and say what is popular rather than speak our minds. Every Dislike makes me smile.
I never had you down as a trail centre type and I was right 😂👍 spoilt with the views and long natural rocky descents of the lakes, it's never going to compare. But this trail centre looked pretty bad by any standard. We drove through the peak district you guys have got it good your end of the country. I have a new bike coming soon and will definitely try some of these scenic rides I watch you guys doing! Can't beat an honest review great edit. 👍
Definitely not a trail centre type mate; been to a few over the years (literally a handful over many years) and all except the Marin have been a disappointment but this one was especially crap. I actually laughed when I saw the skull and crossbones at the top of the slab section! Are you getting a trail bike? There's loads of damned good stuff not far from you although from what I hear, it's in South Wales where the best stuff is. My mate Twelve Stone Tony (an original Stopadoodledoo-er) moved down to Cornwall a couple of years ago and heads up to Risca / Cwm Carn quite regularly to ride the off piste stuff. He informs me it's fantastic 👍
…..fair points Jay…..but as you frequently tell us you are not a fan of Trail Centres……so why go ? How on earth could it compare or compete with any other trails you’ve rode this year …..not trying to criticise mate , but let’s see you back in your natural habitat up in the Lakes 👍
…….glad to hear it mate …the lakes have got to be right up there with the best locations in the Uk ……and you guys make them look so easy . I can’t wait to come with you 👍
To be fair, I don't know what the other side is like but at best I reckon I would think it's ok but not worth travelling to do again. Tarw Du though, it felt like a totally wasted journey. No trail centre was going to compare to the rides I've done in the Lakes this year but this one, I think I've had more fun on the local flat lockdown rides around Chester (although maybe not the one where I was knee deep in freezing water 😂)
Tarw Du is probably the worst loop at CYB, some of the other stuff is ok-ish. There’s a lot of good stuff around the area though…Dyfi off piste, Marin and Penmachno are all good fun. You really need someone local to show you the best stuff around here.
You're spot on mate, local knowledge (or guidance from a local) is by far the best way to go. Dyfi Off Piste is definitely on the cards at some point, hoping to be able to get down to the Pinned weekender in September.
Can't imagine anyone could prefer Marin trail to Coed... maybe it was just the conditions but I felt like I was in that MC Escher etching of the endless staircase going upwards. Endless fireroad climbing, apart from one techy switchback section of climb which was fun. Then we finally got to the descent which was just starting to get interesting when "Oh look there's the car park". By contrast the MBR and Tarw Du trails had me grinning all the way round. Horses for courses I suppose...
@@Stopadoodledoo you can't be more than a few hours away ? I've been to lots of places in the French , Italian Alps and some brilliant places in the UK and per given length of run
@@daveandmerlin Yeah, I've been told that they are amazing. It'd be about 3.5 hours each way for me, problem being that the Lakes are in-between here and there and have a kind of tractor beam effect on me 😃 Maybe if I close my eyes until I am clear of the Lakes I'll be fine 😂
@@fourutubez7294 And yet they do know because I quite clearly said that I didn't like it, because I didn't. Is the issue here because I was supposed to say nice things as other people think Tarw Du is great? This is not and was never intended to be a trail review video, we just went there and I thought it was lame; if you want to watch videos where people think that Tarw Du is great then there's plenty out there. Do I believe that they all thought it was great? No, because some of them pander to their audience. Now that's fine and if you concentrate on reviewing trail centres then to an extent, you would be daft not to. But I don't. Don't worry though, I won't be filming at any more trail centres for a very long time as I have absolutely no desire to ride them, as in *my* opinion, they are all lame.
How dare you! How very dare you, express your genuine feelings and opinion on a trail. Ha ha say it as you see it. The negativity bred in the heat perhaps . Still as always you lot make me laugh with your comments..... How much was the coffee? To think some people only know trail centres........ 😢
The heat probably didn't help but to be honest, I just found it really bitty - the fireroad descent was the nail in the coffin, especially as there was no real singletrack descent afterwards. I really don't think that trail centres were made with goons like me in mind; not so say that everyone should hate them but me personally, I would rather be doing almost anything else other than riding at one although it's good to visit every now and again to see if opinions have changed. I had a can of 7up - it was prohibitively expensive :(
Haha, I pissed myself watching this. Agree with everything you said, it is so disappointing here. I was still cussing a few days later that I’d wasted a day of riding.
It's so crap, isn't it? I'm probably going to anger everyone again by even saying that in my response to you but I really was so disappointed with it. I wasn't expecting miracles but I also wasn't expecting something so dire. I just wish I had Shaun's eloquence when he announced "It's not alright" 😂
It's your riding your channel and your thoughts. Always wanted to ride here but after watching your video and emb video think I will skip it. Llandegla part 2?? Ahaha
Cheers mate. I knew pretty early on that I wasn't going to like Tarw Du and that the video was going to be pretty negative and therefore get a lot of negative feedback and lose subs (one gone already 😂) but I'm not doing this as a popularity contest. I'm sick of seeing videos where everything is "BRILLIANT" or ones entitled "This was the SICKEST trail in the UK" (there must be around 377 SICKEST trails in the UK by now - what's the criteria?). It's all good fun 👍
I seem to get the impression that you’re not happy, not sure why🤣🤣. I do a few trail centres occasionally when I get time to that is but I certainly won’t get upset at your point of view. I would love to try some of the stuff you do but I would probably shit myself doing it😂😂
I think it was the disappointment (and 30 degree heat) more than anything, John. I was never expecting to love Coed but I had heard from so many people that it was a decent trail centre. Maybe it is (MBR and Beast) but what we did was just crap. You should come out with us on one of our rides, it's not all silly stuff by any means 👍
So disappointing mate. I kind of knew I wouldn't be blown away by it given my preference for natural trails, but it was way below expectations. Still had a laugh though, so not a total loss 👍
You know it mate, trails where you don't know what is coming up and have to react instantly are my favourites, ones that were built before bicycles even existed 👍
Thanks. I wasn't that impressed at all; you could argue that I am not a fan of trail centres so my point of view is therefore jaded from the offset but I wasn't going there to do a review (I wanted to ride elsewhere but the rest of them had already made plans to go there). It's funny how quite a lot of people have got angry about this video and my point of view (it has more dislikes than any other video I have done) but at the end of the day, I would be lying if I had pretended to like it to placate people.
Sorry you feel that way, wasn’t wanting to come across as elitist; I’m not a good enough rider to do so but if I don’t like something then I am going to say so as to do otherwise would be dishonest. I never went there to produce a guide for others (of any level - I don’t do those kind of videos as others do them so much better), I was asked if I fancied going so did. And didn’t like it. Who you see in the videos is me as I am, I talk and act as I always have when out riding with mates and wouldn’t change that for the sake of a stupid unimportant RUclips channel. I am not everyone’s cup of tea and never wanted to be. You unsubscribed and stated why and I respect you for that, hence the thumbs up for your comment.
I take it you didn’t enjoy that one Jason luckily I haven’t done it for myself I can imagine you hung drawn and quartered Mark over this as he’s done it before . Nice knowing you Mark 😂
To be honest Rich, I was never enthused about going there as it's just not my thing at all. didn't know we would be doing Tarw Du until we got there and Will announced that's what we were going to ride. I was never going to praise something I didn't like and I REALLY didn't like this one at all 👍
I can guarantee it won't be at a trail centre 😂 Kentmere is great for night rides; was better before they sanitised the hell out of Three Rivers but still loads of decent trails there 👍
I was chatting with Marc and Christian about this, and mentioned that if I had said it was great because that is what people expect to hear about a beloved trail centre, you and Twelve would have ripped the crap out of me forever (deservedly so too). Doesn't really surprise me that I got a load of Dislikes and anger for this one (you should see the comments on Midlands MTB Facebook page), fully expected it. You know me mate, thick skinned and always speak my mind 👍😃
From what I've been told many times since visiting and bursting blood vessels in my forehead through anger, the MBR and Beast are way better. On Tawr Du, the slabs are ok (but not really a challenge), the rest was just a slog. Disclaimer: My opinion may differ from the majority of people's 😂
Did the beast really enjoyed it apart from the endless fire roads most of them seemed pointless, did Llandegla today much better absolutely loved it unfortunately we couldn’t do the black runs as there was a race on but looking at RUclips they are even better so a return trip will be soon 👍
I totally agree with your opinions here you crack me up fully. I've come to realise that trail centres are probably only good for a fitness route I guess. And morons.
Cheers Matt. I guess the thing with trail centres is that they are handy for a quick fix and useful because there are direction posts so you can turn up and ride rather than have to look on maps, etc. I love maps though, total map nerd (used to go into Stanfords Maps in Covent Garden all the time when I lived in London) and planning rides out is part of the adventure 👍
Why would I be positive if I didn’t enjoy it? Because other people do? I think you will find that the Lakes is better in every single way than Turd Poo
trail centres are just like motorways, they are very flat and boring and anyone can go down them fast. zzz fall asleep every time i ride them; which is not very often
Totally with you there mate. I'm no expert on trail centres as I avoid them like the plague usually but of those I have been to, the descents never seem to pay back for the climbs. This one though, good God it was awful
What a miserable sod 30sec in and I'm fed up of you already
Thanks for your feedback Gareth. Glad you wasted another three minutes to type your comment which from a grammatical perspective, you murdered.
Do you love the Tarw Du?
Why the bloody ell did you ride that t'trail
For anyone thinking of coming to Coed Y Brenin for the first time, the newer stuff on the other side of the forest is way more fun. While you're in the area Penmachno is well worth a go, Machynlleth is outstanding inc ClimachX final descent and Dyfi off-piste- this uses old motorbike enduro trails for fast, technical riding which are as much fun as I've had anywhere. Trailforks is good for finding them, arranging a ride with the locals even better.
Thanks A P, appreciate you adding a bit of local knowledge into this. Dyfi is definitely somewhere I want to get to at some point 👍
@@Stopadoodledoo No worries, a couple of short vids for inspiration!
Short bit of Dan Atherton chasing Rachel on Climachx final descent-
ruclips.net/video/bUvv1NHIhnE/видео.html
Classic Dyfi off piste-
ruclips.net/video/gyCtSbtPwlc/видео.html
I rode Coed y Brenin for the first time recently and I loved it precisely because the trails are rocky and not like the groomed rubbish you get at most trail centres. I did miss out the fire road descent near the end and took a short cut down to Mantrap.
If you want a rubbish trail in this area, look no further than the Marin trail (Gwydir Mawr). 2 hours of climbing for one five-minute descent!
I'll be honest, I don't really like ANY trail centre as they just don't appeal to me and are not the kind of riding I want to do. Comparing Tarw Du to Marin on the day, I remembered that I had enjoyed myself more at the Marin but that doesn't mean that I think the Marin is amazing as it isn't.
This video has stirred up more passion than any other I have made. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have gone there in the first place but I did as my mates were and when I rode it, I was seriously underwhelmed and basically said so. What appears to upset people is that I said that I (personally) didn't enjoy it. I never intended this to be a trail review video as I don't do that type of video - what's the point as what I like and what others like will differ massively, as will my level of riding, experience, etc. I record what I am thinking and saying, simple as that.
To put this into context, in the few weeks prior to this I'd ridden over Helvellyn, Harter Fell, Nan Bield, a collection of 'other' trails in the Lakes as well as quite a few other places that are seriously rocky, and loved them all. This place was up against some tough competition, and didn't come close to any of them. Still, if you don't go, you don't know.
I think for beginners trail centres are pretty good but when you get to be a good rider and go back to a Trail centre that you went to as a beginner you realise how tame they are .
Yep, you're right, trail centres are great for newer riders as it allows them to get out, not have to worry about navigation, they will know that they can handle the majority of features, they provide a decent level of challenge to help them progress whilst still being fun, etc.
Being an old fart, I was riding before Trail Centres were a thing, I was already up in the hills so the whole trail centre thing kind of passed me by. That doesn't mean that others shouldn't love them, it's just that I most definitely didn't love this one 👍
I think trail centres are made to have every rider at every level to ride with safety (?) in mind. Once you are not average rider...it is difficult to enjoy TC. Still a blast to ride with friends!
I think you are right mate, nothing was challenging (even on the hardtail - not surprised really). We had a laugh but it was because of the stupid things said more than anything else 👍
Oh dear, you can't beat the Lakes. You still made laugh, whingeing all the way 😂. Enjoy your family holiday mate 👍
I reckon it was more of a death spiral. The slabs were quite good fun (if a bit easy and with pointless bits like the steps and drop to flat) and I was expecting a decent descent after it but when it never materialised, that's when the rot set in. The fireroad descent though...
It kind of took me back to the first time I rode in Kentmere and our guide for the day took us up singletrack to descend on boring doubletrack with gates galore (he was a lover of climbs and not overly keen on descending). It took a lot of alcohol to calm me down that day 😂
Back from holiday now (camping in Filey for the weekend). It was nice but I am exhausted now as I ended up basically being the children's entertainer for not only my daughter but her two friends (whose family we went with) too 😃
@@Stopadoodledoo I'm not great on anything too technical and I'm probably slower than a snail going backwards but I still prefer natural stuff than trail centres 👍. Bet the kids loved it, cause you are a bit of a clown 😂.
@@Shoeboxbears They did indeed 😂
I can see the advantages of trail centres over riding in the English countryside. A trail centre will usually mean that there are no stiles, fences, gates, farms, boggy fields, dealing with sheep and walkers, road sections and getting lost, and usually a certain level of entertainment is provided on a consistant basis. But I'm not a massive fan of them because they all involve a lot of driving to get to, they're more predictable and often feel like I've not really gone anywhere, just ridding around the same forest. Usually the best scenery and best sections of singletrack are found outside of trail centres.
I can see the advantage of them in that they offer an easy and fun way for a lot of people to get out and ride without having to think about a route, the trail conditions are usually perfect for all conditions, etc., but they really aren't for me at all as they are all just so predictable. If the conditions are grim, then I tend to head for places that I know will stand up to the conditions, e.g. if it's wet and has been for a while, I'll go somewhere rocky that isn't impacted by mud. If it's windy, I'll head for forested places rather than exposed mountains, etc.
I am just glad that no matter where we ride we always have a laugh, this place certainly put that to the test as the trails were absolutely crap!
Nice blow open the truth on Tawr Du video and always sticking to your honest approach. Only way to do it, hopefully people watch and actually see the pure comedy gold in there, Chris Whitty, it's not alright, Shaun the star of the show for me 🤣
Yeah, we really did have a proper laugh despite the crappy trails and I agree, Shaun is the star of the show 😂
I think the anger at me abusing the proverbial first born will cloud all the other stuff 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo 🤣🤣🤣 yep had a little bit of hate towards mine as well, not as vocal as yours but certainly not a positive final thought of the place.
A lot of people are agreeing with us though, and saying it is rubbish. This first trail in UK or world does not give it an automatic sick rad rating, which some riders appear to think it does.
@@ElectricMountainBiker So right mate, It's like saying that we should all think that the original of everything should still be revered as perfect today when compared to modern counterparts. The first car ever, with it's wagon wheels, broken bathtub looks, 4mph top speed and (probably) steering with bits of rope and prayers... is it as good as literally ANY car from the last 60 years? Of course it's not but the first purpose built XC trail apparently is 😂
Love your honesty. I quite enjoyed some of CYB on my full sus ebike but I wouldn't bother going without the assist.
At least someone does, got more dislikes for this video than any other by some margin 😂
I think Shaun summed it up best with his Chris Whitty comment 😂
Natural trails are definitely my favourite kind of riding, but I like to ride trail centers too. There's not much natural riding in my area so I'm happy to ride anything tbh.
I've been to Coed Y Brenin quite often and its definitely better if you make up your own route by joining up the best parts. This is what I do now and it's way more fun than tarw du.
I'm not really a fan of trail centres although have had some ok days at them, it's just not my preference at all. To be honest, I think we were in a bit of a funny mood this day because it was so hot, plus I had been told that Tarw Du was an incredible trail, and it turned out to be nothing of the sort. I can see why some think it is but it wasn't for me at all.
@Stopadoodledoo Yeh I get it, I'm from Devon though so even tawr du is better than pretty much anything we have down here 🤣
@@benb7432 a long time since I’ve ridden down your way but the Quantocks are pretty decent if I remember rightly, Triscombe especially 👍
Brilliant Jason I love your brutally honest views it a pity more people don't do the same we may get better trails then.... Have I good holiday pal
Cheers Derek and I agree, there's far too many people out there who will praise anything. Seems to me that Sam Pilgrim could visit a swamp with a dead owl in the middle of it and call it the sickest Bike Park Ever 😂
Back from holiday now, just a weekend away camping in Filey. Utterly exhausted now 👍
I'm glad you finished the full poo for the full experience 🤣 looked a good laugh if nothing else 😃👍
Yeah, we definitely had a laugh although by the end, everyone was a bit jaded 😃.
Next time, if I have the first mouthful of poo and it tastes bad, I'll stop eating the poo 😂
How did you find it on the Hardtail I'm going on 6th of April i ride hardtail just after your thoughts?
Hi, sorry I have been a bit slack with replying; my bad.
I found it fine on a hardtail, a bit rattly down a couple of sections but nothing that made me wish I had rear suspension.
The only time it felt really harsh was going off that silly drop to flat but even on a full suspension bike, I imagine that would be as much fun as dental surgery 😃
I'm with you all the way, there is nothing worse than a fire road descent. What were they thinking when they planned the route??
Absolutely mate. I get that it is an old trail but surely in the 25 years since it was built, they could have added some additional singletrack in to remove the need to descent on a fireroad. 👍
Agreed. Though I give the 'Gravelanche' a pass as the speed, baby head size of the gravel and the scenery make it pretty epic for me.
I'll leave the gate open when you come back to Ambleside then 😂 cracking video and exactly what i expected. Went to Afan a few years back and just the same, kept stopping to put a seatpost down cos it was "best" for all the descents?, gave up on that idea..
We're up in the Lakes this weekend (thank God), really need it after this abomination of a trail. I really don't get why they built trail centre descents with climbs in them; I guess they were aimed squarely at the seat up XC types, especially when you consider that when they were built, dropper posts were a mere pipedream.
I guess that Whinlatter has extended descents; only been there once and I was seriously underwhelmed, possibly because we had done Ullock Pike and then Whiteless Pike & Rigg Beck on the two days preceding it.
Depending on what tyre that was you are my new found hero!!! I’m currently getting my ass kicked trying to put on a magic mary 29x26 supergravity!!! Any tips welcome
It's a WTB something or other that initially came on the front of the hardtail (three years ago) and is as bald as I am.
Trick is, starting at the bottom, push in and up with your thumbs to get all the tension towards the top (e.g. when your thumbs are almost meeting) and there is enough slack to either be able to pop the tyre off by hand or easily get a tyre lever in. I've even managed it with the old Michelin mud spike tyres and they are seriously tough tyres to seat 👍
@@Stopadoodledoo do you start opposite the valve and make your way up that way and with thumbing it up you start one way then go up the other etc?
@@carlsmtb3171 If I remember to, I start where the valve is and work away from it
I get you, I’m not really a fan of trail centres ether can’t beet a good day out in the hills exploring different areas not knowing what you’ll discover round the next corner. However tail centres do have there place they are fun if a little boring one looks the same as any other wherever you visit in the country. But some people love them for there easy ride fix they give. Also nothings more boring than riding a fire road to your next piece of single track. I remember some years ago visiting Wales and just riding the various well known trail centres the following year we did the Lakes and all natural. I remember the Lakes extremely well and how amazing it was. Wales I remember very little it was just all the same. I think trail centres are more enjoyable if using a ebike or even a motorbike I don’t own either but I would think you would get more from it.
Yeah, they definitely have their place and are popular with a lot of people, it's just that I'm not one of them. I don't think I am in any way better because I don't like them, but I'm one to speak my mind (and my views - a lot of people didn't like that with this video 😃).
To be honest, I don't mind Gwydyr Mawr (The Marin) as it's quite natural feeling in places. Even then, I don't make any effort to go there.
Descending on fireroads (or even worse, tarmac) really winds me up, always seem like a real waste of a climb. One that really wound me up a few years ago was Walna Scar (above Coniston); it used to be a fantastic descent, rough as hell, techy in places. It's now (or was) like a really long Sustrans path descent - I'll never ride it again!
Well that didn’t disappoint cried with laughter why would anybody travel past all that fantastic countryside to go round coed unless it’s lashing down .
Went there with a group and instead I did barnmouth and cadir who was wearing the bigger smile
Keep it up most entertaining
Cheers mate. Funnily enough, on the way to Coed, we took a wrong turn and went down the narrowest lane ever with five gates across it, cows, sheep, the lot. It was probably more interesting than the ride itself 😂
Did the beast on an ebike and apart from a ridiculous fire road loop 2/3 off the way round found the descents good fun - and I am definitely no trail center fan and love the techy stuff - the natural stuff will always win until that’s all been bloody sanitised by councils up and down the country!!
I shouldn't mention this but they've not really touched the footpaths yet 😏👍
Go over to Bike Park Wales and gives us your opinion on that .. I'd be interested to hear it. Have you been to Cannock Chase?
I kind of have been to BPW but back when it was called Gethin and was a Dragons DH track and nothing else. Mates who have been say it's ok but nothing special, and wouldn't be worth bothering with at all if it wasn't for the uplift.
Likewise, I've been to Cannock years ago, but only the Stile Cop bit. I thought it was ok but it was on the way back from a weekend in the Lakes and paled into insignificance with what we had been riding, plus we were spending a lot of time riding in South Wales at the time (Dragon DH races and uplifts) so as a DH venue, it seemed a bit lame.
Tarw du (taroo dee) Is a lovely little route and to say the slab isn't steep is just plain daft. I do all disciplines of MTB and each has their purpose. Trails centres are great for bad weather riding, or just a painless fun day out, downhill places like BPW and Antur are out and out fun. Wild riding is extremely enjoyable if you like taking in views with a bit of non man-made tech thrown in, but depending on the route, pedestrians are a PITA. BTW There are sections of the beast that easily go toe to toe with the lakes TBH.
Listening to you in this video reminds me of old school downhillers that just said every other discipline apart from theirs was for wombats. you might not like it, but from some of the things you'd said, you had already decided you hated it before you even began and just looked for excuses to say so.
If I didn't enjoy it and didn't think it was that good a trail, why would I say that it is? To make viewers who do like it happy? Sorry, but I speak my mind and do make clear that it is MY opinion and that I don't do trail reviews, I just ride and film it. Also, I did not think the Slab was that steep, it's just a roll and not a difficult one so again, why would I say that it is if I don't think that?
I went there with open eyes but yeah, hand built trail centre trails do nothing for me although I am happy that many people love them - it would be a boring World if we all liked the same things. I do not look down on those that do like them or think that they are somehow inferior, in what way would they be if that is what they like?
Saying that sections of The Beast are as good as stuff in the Lakes though? Really? 😂 I don't think you would find many that agree with you on that one.
Thanks for the Dislike by the way; every Dislike I get for this video just goes to show that we are supposed to toe the line and say what is popular rather than speak our minds. Every Dislike makes me smile.
I never had you down as a trail centre type and I was right 😂👍 spoilt with the views and long natural rocky descents of the lakes, it's never going to compare. But this trail centre looked pretty bad by any standard. We drove through the peak district you guys have got it good your end of the country. I have a new bike coming soon and will definitely try some of these scenic rides I watch you guys doing! Can't beat an honest review great edit. 👍
Definitely not a trail centre type mate; been to a few over the years (literally a handful over many years) and all except the Marin have been a disappointment but this one was especially crap. I actually laughed when I saw the skull and crossbones at the top of the slab section!
Are you getting a trail bike? There's loads of damned good stuff not far from you although from what I hear, it's in South Wales where the best stuff is. My mate Twelve Stone Tony (an original Stopadoodledoo-er) moved down to Cornwall a couple of years ago and heads up to Risca / Cwm Carn quite regularly to ride the off piste stuff. He informs me it's fantastic 👍
…..fair points Jay…..but as you frequently tell us you are not a fan of Trail Centres……so why go ? How on earth could it compare or compete with any other trails you’ve rode this year …..not trying to criticise mate , but let’s see you back in your natural habitat up in the Lakes 👍
It was a case of either ride with the lads at Coed or go off on my own locally (car was awaiting MOT). Back in the Lakes this weekend 👍
…….glad to hear it mate …the lakes have got to be right up there with the best locations in the Uk ……and you guys make them look so easy . I can’t wait to come with you 👍
some of that looks familiar, some I don't recognise like the slab
Surely you'd recognise the Slab Rich, it's got a skull and crossbones at the top so is basically lethal 😂
We tried cyflym coch and that was a lot of fun, used the best descent from the reds and black
Sounds good mate, this one didn't really feel like there were any descents 😃
You’re right Coed Y Brenin is really shit. I end up going back every 5 - 10 years as it takes that long to forget how shit it is & then I’m reminded😬
To be fair, I don't know what the other side is like but at best I reckon I would think it's ok but not worth travelling to do again. Tarw Du though, it felt like a totally wasted journey.
No trail centre was going to compare to the rides I've done in the Lakes this year but this one, I think I've had more fun on the local flat lockdown rides around Chester (although maybe not the one where I was knee deep in freezing water 😂)
Tarw Du is probably the worst loop at CYB, some of the other stuff is ok-ish. There’s a lot of good stuff around the area though…Dyfi off piste, Marin and Penmachno are all good fun. You really need someone local to show you the best stuff around here.
You're spot on mate, local knowledge (or guidance from a local) is by far the best way to go. Dyfi Off Piste is definitely on the cards at some point, hoping to be able to get down to the Pinned weekender in September.
Can't imagine anyone could prefer Marin trail to Coed... maybe it was just the conditions but I felt like I was in that MC Escher etching of the endless staircase going upwards. Endless fireroad climbing, apart from one techy switchback section of climb which was fun. Then we finally got to the descent which was just starting to get interesting when "Oh look there's the car park". By contrast the MBR and Tarw Du trails had me grinning all the way round. Horses for courses I suppose...
@@M0jibake can’t argue taste! 🙂
@13.53 looks like Tom Cardy (youtuber), I'm sure you're interested too.😁
You know, it might be, never really thought about it before. If it is, maybe Pilgrim is way ahead, with Tom along for the ride….. 😂
On a side note when are you gonna do a vid on the Golfie etc ?
Would love to get up there and will do at some point, but it won't be for a few months 👍
@@Stopadoodledoo you can't be more than a few hours away ? I've been to lots of places in the French , Italian Alps and some brilliant places in the UK and per given length of run
The Tweed valley has the best trails by far !
@@daveandmerlin Yeah, I've been told that they are amazing. It'd be about 3.5 hours each way for me, problem being that the Lakes are in-between here and there and have a kind of tractor beam effect on me 😃
Maybe if I close my eyes until I am clear of the Lakes I'll be fine 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo Ha good Man !
Great honest video.At 9:16 is it me or does Shaun sound like Kirk off Coronation Street ?
Thanks mate. Poor Shaun 😂. He wasn't having a happy day, that's for sure 😂
Would you like some cheese with that whine ?
I would rather go back in time and not ride Tarw Du 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo Gosh really ? No one would ever know ...
@@fourutubez7294 And yet they do know because I quite clearly said that I didn't like it, because I didn't. Is the issue here because I was supposed to say nice things as other people think Tarw Du is great?
This is not and was never intended to be a trail review video, we just went there and I thought it was lame; if you want to watch videos where people think that Tarw Du is great then there's plenty out there.
Do I believe that they all thought it was great? No, because some of them pander to their audience. Now that's fine and if you concentrate on reviewing trail centres then to an extent, you would be daft not to. But I don't.
Don't worry though, I won't be filming at any more trail centres for a very long time as I have absolutely no desire to ride them, as in *my* opinion, they are all lame.
How dare you! How very dare you, express your genuine feelings and opinion on a trail. Ha ha say it as you see it. The negativity bred in the heat perhaps . Still as always you lot make me laugh with your comments..... How much was the coffee? To think some people only know trail centres........ 😢
The heat probably didn't help but to be honest, I just found it really bitty - the fireroad descent was the nail in the coffin, especially as there was no real singletrack descent afterwards. I really don't think that trail centres were made with goons like me in mind; not so say that everyone should hate them but me personally, I would rather be doing almost anything else other than riding at one although it's good to visit every now and again to see if opinions have changed.
I had a can of 7up - it was prohibitively expensive :(
Haha, I pissed myself watching this. Agree with everything you said, it is so disappointing here. I was still cussing a few days later that I’d wasted a day of riding.
It's so crap, isn't it? I'm probably going to anger everyone again by even saying that in my response to you but I really was so disappointed with it. I wasn't expecting miracles but I also wasn't expecting something so dire.
I just wish I had Shaun's eloquence when he announced "It's not alright" 😂
The people who ride these places swear that e wilds are the best tyres 😂
I reckon knackered semi-slicks would be best as they would liven it up a bit; it needed it
It's your riding your channel and your thoughts. Always wanted to ride here but after watching your video and emb video think I will skip it. Llandegla part 2?? Ahaha
There’s talk of me doing Degla on Christian’s CX bike... 😂
Love the honesty in your vids…. Fuck the haters
Cheers mate.
I knew pretty early on that I wasn't going to like Tarw Du and that the video was going to be pretty negative and therefore get a lot of negative feedback and lose subs (one gone already 😂) but I'm not doing this as a popularity contest. I'm sick of seeing videos where everything is "BRILLIANT" or ones entitled "This was the SICKEST trail in the UK" (there must be around 377 SICKEST trails in the UK by now - what's the criteria?).
It's all good fun 👍
I seem to get the impression that you’re not happy, not sure why🤣🤣. I do a few trail centres occasionally when I get time to that is but I certainly won’t get upset at your point of view. I would love to try some of the stuff you do but I would probably shit myself doing it😂😂
I think it was the disappointment (and 30 degree heat) more than anything, John. I was never expecting to love Coed but I had heard from so many people that it was a decent trail centre. Maybe it is (MBR and Beast) but what we did was just crap.
You should come out with us on one of our rides, it's not all silly stuff by any means 👍
Yeah I'd be pissed off if I'd travelled there too bud. That was pants.
So disappointing mate. I kind of knew I wouldn't be blown away by it given my preference for natural trails, but it was way below expectations.
Still had a laugh though, so not a total loss 👍
Bridle path in lakes and peak District 👍👍👍👍
You know it mate, trails where you don't know what is coming up and have to react instantly are my favourites, ones that were built before bicycles even existed 👍
Only watched halfway through but I've enjoyed your pithy, honest point of view. I gather you were not impressed.🤣
Thanks. I wasn't that impressed at all; you could argue that I am not a fan of trail centres so my point of view is therefore jaded from the offset but I wasn't going there to do a review (I wanted to ride elsewhere but the rest of them had already made plans to go there). It's funny how quite a lot of people have got angry about this video and my point of view (it has more dislikes than any other video I have done) but at the end of the day, I would be lying if I had pretended to like it to placate people.
Wow so much elitist puffery in this video and comments. Unsubbed.
Sorry you feel that way, wasn’t wanting to come across as elitist; I’m not a good enough rider to do so but if I don’t like something then I am going to say so as to do otherwise would be dishonest.
I never went there to produce a guide for others (of any level - I don’t do those kind of videos as others do them so much better), I was asked if I fancied going so did. And didn’t like it.
Who you see in the videos is me as I am, I talk and act as I always have when out riding with mates and wouldn’t change that for the sake of a stupid unimportant RUclips channel. I am not everyone’s cup of tea and never wanted to be.
You unsubscribed and stated why and I respect you for that, hence the thumbs up for your comment.
I take it you didn’t enjoy that one Jason luckily I haven’t done it for myself I can imagine you hung drawn and quartered Mark over this as he’s done it before . Nice knowing you Mark 😂
To be honest Rich, I was never enthused about going there as it's just not my thing at all. didn't know we would be doing Tarw Du until we got there and Will announced that's what we were going to ride. I was never going to praise something I didn't like and I REALLY didn't like this one at all 👍
@@Stopadoodledoo
I think we all have rides like that .
I advised them to do what we did 😃
@@HallMarc_Trails Will over-ruled you. Will was wrong 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo 😂
The scenery is nice at least
Yeah, can't fault the scenery; it's beautiful around there 👍
Now you have the boo hoos out the way , when is the next REAL ride ??
We did a night ride round kentmere the other night it was great fun.
I can guarantee it won't be at a trail centre 😂
Kentmere is great for night rides; was better before they sanitised the hell out of Three Rivers but still loads of decent trails there 👍
Under pressure mate? Poor Jason ;-)
I was chatting with Marc and Christian about this, and mentioned that if I had said it was great because that is what people expect to hear about a beloved trail centre, you and Twelve would have ripped the crap out of me forever (deservedly so too).
Doesn't really surprise me that I got a load of Dislikes and anger for this one (you should see the comments on Midlands MTB Facebook page), fully expected it. You know me mate, thick skinned and always speak my mind 👍😃
Haha. Yes.
It was bloody awful mate 😂
I'm going on Friday 🤦♂️
From what I've been told many times since visiting and bursting blood vessels in my forehead through anger, the MBR and Beast are way better. On Tawr Du, the slabs are ok (but not really a challenge), the rest was just a slog.
Disclaimer: My opinion may differ from the majority of people's 😂
@@Stopadoodledoo yes we’re trying the beast so will see how it goes, better than working on a Friday 👍
@@simonhardwick803 Sure it will be great mate. The majority of people I know who have done The Beast have enjoyed it . Hope you have a fun day 👍
Did the beast really enjoyed it apart from the endless fire roads most of them seemed pointless, did Llandegla today much better absolutely loved it unfortunately we couldn’t do the black runs as there was a race on but looking at RUclips they are even better so a return trip will be soon 👍
I totally agree with your opinions here you crack me up fully. I've come to realise that trail centres are probably only good for a fitness route I guess. And morons.
Cheers Matt. I guess the thing with trail centres is that they are handy for a quick fix and useful because there are direction posts so you can turn up and ride rather than have to look on maps, etc. I love maps though, total map nerd (used to go into Stanfords Maps in Covent Garden all the time when I lived in London) and planning rides out is part of the adventure 👍
@@Stopadoodledoo such a geek 🤓 riding is all about exploration to me too. Finding new trails is the one
I have to agree, trail centres are a bit shit
You know it mate 😂👍
How do I stop this shit invading my phone!
I guess you could block my channel? 😃👍
He,s an arrogant prick at least he wasted fuel and parking to get there !
Jeez so negative. "In the lakes etc etc etc"
Why would I be positive if I didn’t enjoy it? Because other people do?
I think you will find that the Lakes is better in every single way than Turd Poo
trail centres are just like motorways, they are very flat and boring and anyone can go down them fast. zzz fall asleep every time i ride them; which is not very often
Totally with you there mate. I'm no expert on trail centres as I avoid them like the plague usually but of those I have been to, the descents never seem to pay back for the climbs. This one though, good God it was awful
Could be worse.. at least your not moaning 😂😂🤣. Get yourself over to Stiniog
😂😂😂. Stiniog is definitely on the list mate 👍