Reviews for Gwydir Mawr Mountain Bike Trail

Summary:
Great Time

Review:
Had a week very near here and loved the trails.
I would love to know which idiot though scratched and burnt the maps as you don't deserve to be any where near a trail you childish pratt.
Anyway apart from that I would just like to say thank you to the trail builder's
for your time and effort you put into these places, well done.

Summary:
Mixed feelings

Review:
I'd heard a lot about the Marin, so decided to give it a go. I'm no expert mountain biker. I only started a year ago in my late fifties. I'm not one to moan about climbs, I'm quite happy with the slog to the top at Coed Llandegla, but I have to say, I found this a bit much. As forewarned, there seemed an awful lot of long fire road climbs, and though not excessively steep, they certainly highlighted my lack of fitness and stamina. Although I got it all ridden, I had to make several stops to get my breath back, using the fantastic views as an excuse. The trail was well-marked throughout and I managed not to get lost. It felt as if about two-thirds of it was climbing - probably wasn't but it felt that way to me. Of the remaining third, a lot of it was horizontal(ish) single track with many jagged rocks, which I found hard going, especially as it was wet and they were quite slippery. My lack of stamina made this worse, as I wasn't able to get much speed on over these sections and do it justice, and I really wasn't enjoying it at first. However, as my confidence grew on this rocky track, I got quicker and started thoroughly enjoying it. The descents towards the end were fantastic and I felt I had come on a lot with confidence and skills by the time I got back to the car park. In fact, I was disappointed that it was over, which was a complete turnaround from the way I was feeling half-way through. Overall, a great trail, especially for younger or fitter riders. I'll need to get myself a bit fitter before I give it another go, but I would certainly love to go back and do it all again.

Summary:
Still, a fabulous trail.

Review:
I've ridden this trail several times now over the past few years, and previously written a review of it giving it a 10/10.
We rode it yesterday again. I'd forgotten how great this trail is. This is a proper feel good ride, the last three sections just leave you buzzing when you get back to the car park, leaving you reminiscing all the way home.
The climbs are not difficult, and some are on fire roads, but, it only gives you the opportunity to look at the totally awesome views that this trail has to offer.
Marin offers it all, a nice steady scenic bimble, or a frantic sprint and blast. Whatever your choice, it will not leave you disappointed as long as you go with the mind set of, THIS IS NOT A TRAIL CENTRE......it is a mountain bike trail, in some tasty mountains.
Still gets a full ten from me.

Summary:
Not as good as it used to be, but still good!

Review:
Well, I hit the Marin trail again as it used to be my favourite and I havent been in quite a while.

My favourite parts of the route always were the last downhill section and the Dragon's tail. I remember a couple of years ago I was going like a thing possessed along the dragons tail, now it has eroded awfully and it is more full of sharp, pointy rocks that take some negotiating; the speed from this section has diminished completely in my opinion.

That said, the views were spectacular, as ever, more so at this time of year on a crisp winters morning.

I forgot just how much climbing this route had on it, which is not so much hard, but almost endless. The downhill seems few and far between in comparison to the uphill.

The last section of downhill though is still awesome. There has clearly been some time and money spent at the top of this recently, silky smooth trail and some awesome jumps that get you airborn without trying. Then you head into the trees and with the leaves on the ground, you really struggled in places to see what was under your tyres. Nonetheless, it flows lovely and you can get some speed up quite easily (you can also come off quite easily!)

Oh, yes there is a heck of a lot of fire road going on, both uphill and mostly straight. But there is also one section of fire road where it doesnt look too much like a downhill section (as in slope) but I got in to top cog very quickly and way into the 30's on the speedo and GPS, coupled with a few gravel/rocky sections this bit feels much quicker and is great fun!

Would I do this course again? Sure... I love scenery and mating this to getting out on the bike, despite the uphill, is all good in my eyes. I just wish some time and money could be thrown at the dragons tail to bring it back to how it used to be.

Oh, don't forget to go well fuelled and watered. I didnt realise but I downed over 3 litres in a little over the 2hrs it took to get round, and that's in winter! There is no cafe/shop/toilets/bike wash here but Llanrwst/Betws nearby do have plenty of shops etc if you need food/drinks before heading out.

One big bonus is free parking!

How do I rate this trail? Not as good as Llandegla for thrills per km, but it has the best scenery of any rides in the area. If the dragons tail were as good as it used to be. I'd rate an 8, but with it not being as up to scratch as I remember, a 7 is as much as I can give, purely because of the lifeless climbing.

Summary:
A Gem

Review:
Great ride that's great for intermediate riders or experts alike, just match your speed with your ability.

As for the climbs- this trail is over a decade old now and things may have moved on a bit but apart from a 10 min climb at the beginning the rest is easy. Its mtn biking after all!

There is also loads of other rides to do in the area that can link up with this one if you are prepared to put some effort in.

Very worthwhile.