Is Coed Y Brenin Trail Centre Under Threat?

[@wheelygood1754]

Thanks for this update, I've been absolutely livid since I read the article on the MBR site last weekend. And I seriously hope they don't close Nant yr Arian too, that's an absolute gem of a centre also. Great vid, cheers

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

us too. that’s why we went so quickly to find out what was going on. A quick chat with the shop soon defused the sensational headlines. Turns out the info was “leaked” rather than reported to the press hence the alarmism. Please forgive the “clickbait edit title” but nobody would watch the edit if I gave away the conclusion immediately.

[@kopite1892ynwa]

So is coed y brenin safe then? Literally just got into MTB and went last week to do the Minotaur trail loved it

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@kopite1892ynwa it would appear from the meeting that the cafe is making huge losses and also need extensive work doing to it which is causing frustration as it’s not that old and was built with sustainability as its focus. Not very sustainable if it only last 12 years. I understand that the trails will be safe as will bike shop etc but cafes and visitors centre is questionable?

[@Andy_ATB]

That's what I'd consider proper MTB/ XC riding.....lots of flowing trails with enough mix of climbs, descents and technical terrain....A good work out, which puts a smile on your face. I do think a lot of places have gone down the Downhill/Gravity route......Many riders don't want to pedal, and just want to 'send it' all day long.

[@CMZPICTURES]

I went there in the autumn and had a blast. I'm not hardcore mountain biker by any means but the blue trails take you through some spectacular scenery with waterfalls and river gorges. I stayed at a campsite just up the road with amazing views. There's some good trail riding around there too. I rode around Trawsfynydd lake one afternoon, it's a short ride but starts to feel quite wild in places. And it's close to Porthmadog if you need a bit of civilization or want to see the steam train go down the high street. Can't wait to go back!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Hey there, thanks for watching and commenting. We love the blue trail, it’s beautiful as mentioned and loads of fun and can become a red if you push a bit harder! 👍

[@richdevil77]

Amazing trail centre, The Beast is top class 👍 let’s hope they save the birth place of British MTB Centres 🙏🏼

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

It looks to be very safe to be fair. There’s investment in new waymarked gravel trails happening right now. Just a rethink in the cafe and visitors centre by the looks of it.

[@niseach]

My lad and I went back there on Saturday (same day?) after a few years. We couldn't get over how quiet the car park and trails were for such a perfect day for riding. Compare that to 'Degla on a Saturday where you can barely get a parking space. As good as some of the technical Black trails were (eg Abel and False Teeth), the Reds don't have much gradient down on them, and some of the climbs up - particularly the last one to The End of the World were awful for such a short descent. We ride at Dyfi a lot and it's difficult getting that same buzz at a trail centre. The Marin Trail, Coed y Brenin and Whinlatter are probably still my favourite regular trails within a couple of hours drive, while Glentress has got some great stuff for when I can get back to Scotland. I need to get up to the likes of Laggan, Tarland and Ballater with all the money they have spent there. They do look really good.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Indeed it was Saturday when we rode there. I like the mash up loop for that very reason, somewhere makes the best fun out of the descending with Les climbing. I hear what you say about the red descents but I still love them despite the undulating nature as they are just wonderful ribbons of single track in the forest. I’ve made my piece with the trail centres. They are never gonna give the same buzz as off piste golfie style riding, that’s my main passion but they make up for it as a more placid easy going, less adrenaline (stress) more xc, all weather fun day out! We too love all Those places you’ve named. Glentress is even more epic now!

[@niseach]

I was sure we had seen you - recognised the bikes (and Hugo). We were at Glentress the week before Christmas and it was epic (although so was the weather, and not in a good way). Heading back there for a few days in a couple of weeks and taking my wife. I've got a Hightower for trails and it does climb really well to be fair. @@MindfulTrailBiker

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@niseach Glentress is fully awesome now, it has such great variety inc the off piste riding. Coed y Brenin did seem quieter than normal this weekend. Its location definitely stops it from getting overcrowded on most weekends. I find llandegla uncomfortably crowded now and avoid for the most part. Enjoy Glentress when you go back. Have you tried the Ho chi min descent?

[@niseach]

We avoid Llandegla mostly as well (despite living only 45 minutes away) - even the Blacks have no challenge other than the climbs back out. Looks like we rode Ho Chi Min after taking a wrong turn from the top of the Spooky Woods Climb - it was fast and sketchy. I'm pretty sure it's the same one from your intro to the off-piste at Glentress. Great edit - will be really useful when we go back.@@MindfulTrailBiker

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@niseach Yep, sounds like Ho chi Min 😂 Thank you very much, it means a lot when folk take the time to comment! I would recommend mast of Zorro. Zorro returns is a bit steeper and cheeky but lots of fun!

[@timyates1]

Juat got back from here today, 18 miles later and hands down the best trails iv ever ridden, were uaed to landegla amd cannock chase, so technical and so different to what we're used to amazing we did the dragons back, a lot of fire roads but there all for the up and not really the down, also, lurch and the final 2 sections under the bridge by the skills section are really good, most definitely give it a shot folks of you haven't

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Yeah it’s a cracker isn’t it. Glad you have a great day! If you go back have a go at the route that I put together, gpx abs Trailforks links in the description. Its has all the best descents and less fire road at about 16miles.

[@HallMarc_Trails]

Not somewhere i have ridden much, i prefer the more natural trails or dare i say, off piste trails, but it would be a real shame to see it go, trail centre's aren't for everyone but are great places to get into mtb, building confidence, fitness and large meet ups, not to mention, lots of fun for many, hopefully it survives. great video 👍

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Many thanks 🙏 I’m the same as you but we tend to drift back to the trail centre in winter for a bit of all weather fun! They have their own feel and never fail to make me smile and as you pointed out, crucial to development of skills and fitness. What’s you favourite riding spot for winter fun?

[@HallMarc_Trails]

@@MindfulTrailBiker usually I stick to places that drain well, that doesn’t always go to plan though 🤣

[@steveford4498]

Yeah it's so natural and flowy that it is what any mtber would love, and to go solo it's a safe bet. Will go there this year when I'm up.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Love hearing how folk find peace and tranquility in the simplicity of single track. There’s plenty gnar to be found elsewhere when we’re in the mood but these forest trails are works of art to me

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

Gonna take my son here soon with my Dad, I’m 41 now and used to visit here with my Family and ride all day, been here so many times in the 90’s when female XC racer Sian Robert’s used to own it. So many memories here, be a shame if it closes like it’s been announced in the news.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

It’s safe Danny. It’s not going anywhere. Just a reshuffle on how the visitor centre and cafe is operated. It’s a lovely place!

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

@@MindfulTrailBikerglad to hear that mate, used to love going to this place as a kid. Not been in over 25 years so definitely need to go again as it was always a lovely place to ride.

[@Andrew-su9rk]

Have ridden various trail centres in Wales and CYB is simply one of the best, it's a long way from my too flat Suffolk and anyone near enough to ride it regularly should feel incredibly lucky!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Well said! its fairly far from heavy populated areas but that’s part of its charm!!

[@petesavage4894]

Great video👍 I remember doing a weekend there back in the late 90's. It's changed a bit though lol. Still very fond memories, great place...massive off on the Saturday notwithstanding 😂😂

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Great place, and some very technical riding in a 90’s mountain bike for sure! Thank you for watching, and the kind words sir! 🙏

[@petesavage4894]

Lol, you're welcome. It'd be fun to see the nay sayers attempt it on a 90's ride with V-brakes. I didn't see the spot where I ate dirt, it was on a fire road section quite fast down hill with a big off camber right with a little waterfall on the outside of the bend....our guide had warned us. Lol really enjoyed you video.

[@hammyh1165]

Local community should take it over and kick the Forestry out . It can absolutely make money , you'll find the FC have deliberately ran it down, they have a history of this. Don't get me started on parking charges FC is a public body and it should be free to use , btw FC makes a tidy profit each year , one of the only government departments that does.

[@cunning-stunt]

Vinegar in a little spray bottle under the tongue stops cramp almost instantly. Small sachets of mustard are good for that too. The mustard is said to help but they also contain vinegar.

[@cunning-stunt]

CYB was the first trail park I ever visited just after the millennium. Still remember some sections in your video and the trail names.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Bloody hell, gonna have to try that. I generally don’t suffer with it unless I’ve had a long stint off the bike but it’s a bugger when it comes! Cheers for that!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@cunning-stunt it’s sort of unforgettable somehow isn’t it. The trail names and signage were so well thought out!

[@Onlydansmtb]

Good vid, need to see this bronson!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Cheers Dan! She’s a beauty, best of all worlds for me though the nomad was a beast on the downs!!

[@owenrobert1333]

That place looks great! Great video too👍

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

It’s a bloody marvellous unashamedly old school XC ride and considering how old the trails are, they are still loads of fun and have weathered many storms! great fun - And Thank you very much! greatly appreciated! 🙏

[@patdoherty901]

Will be doing this asap.. saw u both last week or so flying past kennels cafe rivvy👍👍

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Ah no way! You should have shouted at us I would really liked to have met you. Going to do a community meet ride at rivvy in spring if you’re up for that?

[@patdoherty901]

Ye sounds good

[@NW-ENDURO]

good update! going up rivington anytime soon?

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Possibly Saturday all being well. It’s hopefully starting to dry out a bit. Most of the fun tracks are a mess in winter

[@NW-ENDURO]

@@MindfulTrailBiker i’ve been up nearly every week this week becareful on graveyard and maybe some others me and my friend bumped into rocks bits of metal wooden planks barbed wire etc stupid stuff trying to get top 3 on strava this year on strava though

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@NW-ENDURO cheers for the heads up! The sabotage is pretty bad at rivvy, defo a local that spending a fair amount of time laying traps.

[@NW-ENDURO]

@@MindfulTrailBiker i will be seeing if i can put a camera in a tree or something on a trail or two it’s sad to see people doing this as i live there but that also means i can check the trails almost every day incase they do to

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@NW-ENDURO absolutely, it’s a great idea. They’re endangering lives. Graveyard was never a waking track so it’s defo targeted and purposeful sabotage

[@DizRidesMtb]

Cracking video n content guys. I'm a new sub. Looks gd bro 🎉

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Aw thanks dude! Really appreciate the kind words! We salute you 🫡

[@robertpatrick3350]

Wasn’t the original café independently run! It was a successful business who understood their clientele… at the time there was uproar as it was an institution before the facility was taken in house….

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Im not sure about that. wouldn’t surprise me though, that happened in Glentress as well and possibly others. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@robertpatrick3350]

That was 15 + yrs ago and I have trouble remaining what I had for breakfast….. work used to send me to a site 10 miles away so got to ride CYB an evening every week back in the summer of 2001

[@robertpatrick3350]

Sian & Dafydd ran the original cafe…. Before it was brought in-house.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Aw I bet that was ace! Proper way to spend an evening when away from home

[@helicopter12345678]

Absolutely was only there a couple of months ago awesome trails 👍🤛

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

It’s bloody brilliant isn’t it! 👍

[@smallworksbigbiker]

Riden there several times proper old school trails how they should be climbing and down hill not just a up lift and bomb down like a lot of places are now

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

A fully in-body experience finding time for your thinking muscle to disengage and have a minute 👍

[@Andy_ATB]

Absolutely!! That is what 'proper' MTB is about........Lovely flowing trails, uphill, and downhill - and get a good workout. I also think far too many venues (and media) concentrate on the Gravity/Downhill side nowadays......pedalling not needed.

[@shannonmtb]

Still not done the full trails.....only been once with the lad about 2 years ago and only did part of the red as we was a lot younger and was "tired" 🤣🤣

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Love the progression that can be had at coed y brenin! Its ace for developing skills on the progression through the red and blacks

[@Lindsey43665]

Love how in the videos you can see Hugo is all excitable and a noisy rebel to start then by the mid/end he’s all quiet and trots along all chill like a good boy 😂 ❤

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Haha.. yep, full of beans till the miles clock then he’s quiet as a mouse 🐭

[@ceriway380]

It's the same problem, The forestry management is short Sighted and greedy, and they don't want invest ,

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Funding is defo an issue. Same with anything government owned these days

[@rjw1974]

Dude, this is not the best trail centre. I think it is disappointing and rather underwhelming. It always feels to me as though it’s been left behind in an era of MTB that doesn’t exist anymore.

[@rrs1379]

utter stupid comment

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

I can understand why you feel that way, I have felt similar towards trail centres in the past but made my peace with them. They are a very important part of MTB history and crucial for new or developing riders to build confidence skill and fitness. Appreciate your point of view though dude!

[@krzysiu4003]

So what is your idea of a good trail centre.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@krzysiu4003 is that question for @rjw1974 ?

[@Andy_ATB]

What? You mean proper riding, pedalling......

[@thomasabbott2105]

It's shit anyway

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Hey Thomas, It’s understandably not for everyone, but very important for new riders IMO 👍

[@rrs1379]

lol ok bet you cant even ride a bike belter

[@Bianchiboy]

Nearly as shit as your performance down Fort Bill… I wouldn’t have put that video up being as slow as that buddy.