Afan "nears"

Posse, can you believe that we've just 2 wks left until we meet up in south Wales :o So I figured it was time that we get logistics, route suggestions and the like cleared up.

Travel;If y'all recall, I was keen to make this a long wkend with riding on four days - provided my legs can take it :p The cabins are available from mid afternoon Friday, until mid morning Monday and I intend to make full use of 'em.

At the moment, here's a rough idea of when I understand peeps will be arriving...

• Friday lunchtime; Dozer, Farqui, Rob

• Friday eveninng; Brumster / Bex, Chris / Jenni, DDave, Roger, Mark, Uphilla

• Saturday morning; Darren, Les, Sicknote

...please chime in if I've misunderstood your eta. This also goes for any of the following tables that I've been dreaming up.

Accom; You'll find good directions to the cabins here. You should take note that Brwn Bettws is accessible via a loop and that the furthest "road" from the B4287 is the preferred entrance as it's a gentle climb over a wide surface. In contrast, the access road closest to the B4287 is very steep / narrow and best used as the exit.

As veryone has now paid their deposits, we're each now owing £19. Or £16 if the last place can be filled. I'll settle up with the owners myself and but would appreciate some form of payment over the course of the wkend. Which you'd best bring with you as cash points are few and far between down there.

Bedding is supplied for the x2 singles (bedroom) but we'd best each bring our own sleeping bag, pillow and towels.

Each cabin consists of a bedroom (x2 singles) a double and single futon and after speaking with a few of the posse it seems logical that the cabins "might" be occupied something like this...

• Cabin#1; Chris/Jenni, Darren, Dozer

• Cabin#2; Brumster/Bex, DDave/Uphilla, Farq's

• Cabin#3; Roger/Mark, Les/Rob, Sicknote

...which then means that our "couples" each get a bedroom (with the exception of cabin#3 !) and each cabin is occupied on the Friday evening.

If anyone is uncomfortable with the idea of sharing a futon with some strange hairy chap you'd best bring along an airbed. There's plenty of floorspace within each cabin.

Our accomodation almost backs onto the "Afan Forest Park" trails (after the Graveyard section) so we should be able to leave the jalopy's at the cabins for one day.

Nosh; Since my last visit, I'm told therre are now central BBQ facility's - which appears to be a favoured option for Saturday night?

I'm open to suggestions (and voluteers) as to who brings what?, if we all chip into a central kitty? or sumat? Perhaps it's simplier if each cabin mostly sorts out their own supplies?

Breakfasts are important to organise as I know that some like's 'em greasy, whilst I need a good bowel of gruel and some tasty pancakes to set me up for a day in the saddle.

Lunches will be available at cafe's of both the Afan center's so you'll need a few bob to refuel.

I doubt that anyone will need prompting to being along a little *ahem* "lubrication". If you don't, then you'll go without !

Trails; Now the fun bit ;-)

I'd originally planned to hit Afan's "The Wall" and "Penhydd" trails on the Saturday, but I've two reasons for shuffling them to Sunday.

• Drude is joining us for Saturday and rode these trails last year, so he'd prefer something new.
• The Glyncorrwg Ponds trails share a peach of a 6km climb that is probably best attacked with fresh legs.

Here's a "suggested" ride schedule that is by means binding :p

• Friday, pm; Afan Forest Park, Penhydd

• Saturday, am; Glyncorrwg Ponds, White's Level
• Saturday, pm; Glyncorrwg Ponds, July

• Sunday, am; Afan Forest Park, Penhydd
• Sunday, pm; Afan Forest Park, The Wall

• Monday, am; Afan Forest Park, "pick"
• Monday, pm; Cwm Carn, "pick"

• or

• Monday, am; Cwm Carn, "pick"

...it's open to "interpretation" and might change as some peeps may opt to;

• ride just one trail a day
• split into smaller groups
• ride the "natural" Brecon Beacons

The "schedule" should cope with those that arrive for the day, are there for just Sat/Sun, miss Friday or miss Monday, etc.

The "July" trail isn't shown on the "ponds" map as its the start and end of the monster Skyline trail, effectively the best bits. It leaves out much of the boring fireroad mileage and cuts across just after the "Granada" section. The mighty Skyline actually has another shortcut option available after "On the Edge", which'd make another choice for us. The option to extend or shorten makes it ideal as an afternoon ride so peeps can see how their legs feel.

The routes are so good, that I'm happy to ride 'em more than once and I'm sure that you'll feel the same.

For more information on the FC centers, checkout the Afan and Cwm Carn sections of the MBWales website.

Do please remember to bring along some decent head protection, 'cos riding this terrain in a beanie isn't very sensible. Ben forgot his brain bucket at CyB back in March, and was forced to tippy toe around :(

I can't wait to get my knobblies rollin' over them schweet trails, see ya there :B

PS: Don't forget your bike :blush and a little maintenance wouldn't go amiss either.