Wales has always been a big player on the UK MTB scene, from the XC racing boom in the early 1990s and the origins of the trail centre movement to some legendary downhill races and the creation of bike parks to suit all tastes. A big reason for this rich history is Wales' bumpy, rural geography. There's plenty of open space and hills to go around – yet ironically Wales does not have a great rights-of-way network from a mountain biker's point-of-view.
Head to the Lake District and it's not difficult to put together a beautiful and technically challenging route in the heart of the national park, yet in North Wales' Snowdonia National Park (for example) it's much, much harder due to the disjointed nature of the trail network. This is not good for MTBers as it means awkward linking sections on roads that can be narrow with fast traffic. And it's not good for other outdoor users either because it leads to a concentration of activity in certain areas while little-used trails that would be perfect for bikes lie neglected elsewhere.
Things could be about to change however, as the
Welsh Government is consulting on a forward-looking set of plans which would radically reform access rights in the country – effectively allowing cyclists and horse riders to use the vast majority of the country's footpaths.
To show just how significant this is, at present in Wales riders are restricted to just 21 percent of the whole rights-of-way network. If the reforms go ahead it will be the biggest thing in UK mountain biking since Scotland reformed its access rules in 2003. The Welsh Government has only put forward such bold changes because of the hugely successful Trails for Wales campaign run by lobby groups Cycling UK and
OpenMTB in 2015 when the preliminary consultation was launched on the issue.
Already, plans are being discussed that would create epic new rides, linking existing trail centres together and enabling riders to explore more of Wales' stunning landscape. But it will only go ahead with the proposals if mountain bikers (and other outdoor users) make their voices heard again now. Cycling UK has sent a detailed response to the Welsh Gov, supporting the proposals, pointing out a couple of minor flaws and making some convincing arguments in favour of reform. The campaigning charity has also put together an easy-to-use response form which allows people to express their support and to add their own thoughts if they wish.
You don't have to live in Wales to respond to the consultation. You don't even have to live in the UK. You just have to be enthusiastic about the potential of the Welsh Government's plans. The consultation closes on Saturday, 30 September - so please don't delay in having your say. To stay up to date follow OpenMTB on
Facebook.
MENTIONS: @OpenMTB
@sideshowb A little courtesy goes a long way... (sh!t i'm sounding like an old fart...)
Also, in regards to the accuracy of Strava, it definitely has it's blips.
Strava is not a tool to measure exact times. It is an excellent tool to log mileage, measure your own progress and a modest check how you stack up with others. Using it for precise results is silly. I leave self appreciation and self boasting function of it to those who have issues in that area, both hardcore Stravaderos and Anti-Strava crowd. Using it in wildlife areas or mixed trails and logging the rides in public mode is silly to say the least. That's my personal opinion...
I was there last month and it was just heaving with tourists, the train was going only halfway up due to wind, and you weren't allowed off the train anyway! Altogether glad I didn't book tickets.
The other issue you've got with Snowdon itself is there's the 'gentlemans agreement' that bikes don't go up the mountain in the afternoons. I completely see the appeal though, I'd love to go up on the train at sunrise and spent a day dicking about up there. The only riding I got done on that trip was at Coed y Brenin, which was great but driving back through the rest of the park... unbelievable riding territory.
Yeah the fact you can't ride your bike between 9am and 5pm is so much a pain in the arse... I wouldn't mind the grind to climb it, but you just can't ! Either walk the whole way during the day and wait for 5pm (and pray the weather holds), or try to climb+descend starting at 5pm ...
Which is why I would definitely pay to get one of the few last train up the mountain, wait 'till 5pm and then ride down.
But I'll keep going back to Wales, awesome trails and lovely people so far
The beauty of riding up at this time of the day, all the train passengers had left the summit, the cafe was closed and I had the summit to myself :-)
Every walker I rode passed were very cheery and quite surprised to see an mtb'er going to the top!
On the ride back down on the Ranger path, I only saw 4 people, who just sat back and watched me ride into the sunset, lol.
It's only a slight pain in the arse in the summer, but worth it to be up there without loads of people.
But one day, I'll do it
I only ask, not to catch anyone out, but to consider that this is evidence that there will be little change in the very low levels of conflict that currently exist as some people are riding these footpaths already. The difference a change in law makes is that the area will be able to be promoted legitimately as a biking destination and bring more cash in. This might mean an increase in rider numbers, but this would be spead over a greater number of trails and not just saturated numbers on the bridleways.
Here's an interesting read, though not mountain biking the results are probably comparable, and with multiday routes and bikepacking on the rise this is a market that needs to be tapped.
bicycletimesmag.com/spend-cycle-how-bicycle-tourism-impacts-small-communities
Of course, more bike friendly infrastructure makes a destination more desirable, simples. Sign up now!!!
In the Valleys and other post-industrial landscapes it's pretty much go where you like but in the National Parks and parts of Mid-Wales (Elan Valley etc) you have to be careful about the timing of cheeky rides. The whole campaign is all about legitimising riding in lots more areas so that ride guides can be created and there's more space for more riders without clogging up the trails. Plus large areas of Wales will get a massive boost from the extra tourism it will generate.
Oh and I've signed for each step of this campaign. Even some of my non-riding friends have too as they can see the massive benefit it will bring.