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Smooth departure from Hammersmith at 10am on friday along the M4, arrived in the principality mid afternoon. Bikes prepped we headed for the fire road out of Resolven and up, up up to a beautiful sight and among the mountains north of Neath.
This little spin out had all the hallmarks of a classic shake down, leg stretcher, the sun was out, the distinctive long white cloud hanging in the valley, heavy plant crunching catepillar tracks, churning up the fire road, iron ore lumps scattered about, fine pine needles in the verges. Deep rutted and steep single tracks, overgrown, huge boggy sections.. Two spills and a spectacular somersault crash on my first outing on the new 29er.. We are here to christen this bike with welsh mud, and rock scratches.. The disc brakes are too soft, the tires are chunky, the saddle is too high for descending (need quick release clamp). And we marvel at Bernie's non suspension MTB maneurves. Arrive back with big smiles.
After pizzas, pasta and red wine.. We head to the metropolis of Neath and visit every decent bar, local knowledge is shared. Plenty of spray on tans, dodgy tattooes, leopard print 'bet lynch' dresses.. The working men's club and the ambassadors being the liveliest venues. So much for planning an early start for the big day, we have six hours sleep and epic hangovers to look forward to. If anyone asks who we are, Bernie and I are cousins from Cimla.
Mental is a local expression
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My body is still recovering and it has little to do with the cycling. I must say that was a spectacular weekend of riding in the dirt and we need to get back and ride the trails when they are dry, the game changes. I'm glad to see everyone enjoyed. Non-stop grinning through pouring rain and cold is testament to just how good the trails in afan can be
Impressive stuff from Al and Bernie. Not being seasoned mountain bikers and jumping headfirst into some hard-core stuff takes somestones and you two didn't hesitate for a second. For me I think the highlight of the trip has to be, after an hour of climbing, hearing Al shouting"erm, oh, er, ah, oh myyyyy gooood" as he drops into his first ever proper downhill run. A black run no less, with berms, jumps, elevated wood sections,the full works, and then seeing a big fat grin across his face as he comes outthe other side in one piece.
A couple of comedy style stacks for Al on the Friday was absolutely essential to christen the new bike and new rider. But Rob and myself are in awe of Bernie. 5 hrs of punishing riding with no suspension whatsoever, a massive stack, covered in cuts and bruises, but thankfully no permanent damage (maybe a little mental scarring) and not a single complaint. In future you will be referred to as the hardman of lfgss.
Most of my phone pics have turned out a bit blurry with poor lighting, and quite a few of them seem to be of the local wildlife rather than us on bikes, but here are a few from the trails.
One final apology on behalf of my parents, their dog doesn't normally try and have "relations" with the visitors, but you did look rather dashing in your rapha gear Al.
Final thanks to JC for the soundtrack to the weekend.
"Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer"
Till next time
StuAnd healthy eating all weekend
http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u468/meatstu/ring%20of%20fire%20tour/IMG_22261-1.jpg
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Gentlemen, that was a stunning weekend and two lovely write ups.
Not a cross word all the way through, perfect company, faaaaaabulous host (your brother, Stu, is a diamond) and a challenging/rewarding adventure.
Unfortunately, I can only show off the shredded elbow in the office, as the other scapes are definitely NSFW!.
'Till the next time, my very own band of brothers.
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saturday 0700hrs i hear a faint beeping sound from Rob's room going for a little while then gives up... i snooze, ffs its saturday and still dark out side.. 0715hrs the faint bleeping is going again.. i know Bernie is up, i hope he isn't disturbing Stu downstairs.. dim recall from last night, many laughs and a few too many beers..
the smell of bacon brings us to our senses.. the forecast is grim, i have no energy gels, bars and transfer a water bottle and cage off Rob's road bike.. good job Rob had zero tablets. we are out the house by 0900hrs.. Rob leading us back to the firetrack.. three steady climbs to Afan is playing havoc with my guts. but the weather is cool and no wind. the rapha pro jacket is caked in yesterday's mud, luckily all our gear dried out over night across every radiator in Rob's house..
we lose bernie for a moment, too eager to get there methinks, the rain starts and continues for the rest of the day.. despite that, the great hill top views return as we reach the edge of the afan trail complex.. the narrow fence gaps and death warning symbols are now commonplace at the single track entrances / exits. our first descent is a black run.. i take things slowly, rob and stu are off like a shot.
bernie is behind waiting patiently. eventually i let him pass. i can only compare this type of biking with off piste skiing.. its death defying, heart in the mouth stuff, loads of raised track sections and steep twisty paths more suited to scrabbling or rock climbing upwards.. day 2 on the 29er with a very technical course. it is hard work, requires alot of concentration. Actually a great cure for a hangover. Two more single track descents through heavily wooden areas are easier to negotiate.. my confidence is growing as i get used to this new discipline. Less braking, more movement around the bike as i swing into the corners...
we lunch in a lodge with a poky little fire and no warmth, cept from more greasy breakfast and tea. We return to the bikes wearing wet cold gloves, shoes, and make our way to the infamous Wall. I swap bikes with Stu. It is good to get a comparision from hardtail 29er to full-suspension 26in. The wall was a dream, and very quick, unlike yesterday where i spent alot unclipped left leg hanging is nervous riding position, i peddled hard, scoped the terrain weaved around stumps. The geometry of the CX specialized fitted me really well. I was in the bike, not sitting on top..
we had a long journey via road and canal paths. Bernie was the hero today, fuck knows how he got through it all without any suspension. Showers and afternoon nap, before we switch on to see mighty Wales against a typical undisciplined Kiwi side on the telly, we are eating microwave curries, more pizza and drinking cans of beers... two hours later we hit Wind St in Swansea another host of bars and new friends til 1am, Bernie wearing his check shirt, glitter Stetson and john wayne walk.. a final call at mcdonalds drive-in thanks to steve our chauffeur, my head is pounding when i hit the sack. another full welsh breakfast in the morning of eggs bacon, sausage, black pudding, beans (with branston), mushrooms, (damn we forgot the potato waffles)..
what asolid weekend
esstee
Bernie-
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About
2012-11-24 ring of fire tour (welsh)
Posted by
@almac68
gentlemen's quiet weekend retreat in Resolven (Revolver), West Glamorgan. Report and pictures to follow soon. many thanks to Rob And Stu for looking after us and to Bernie always great company.