Well, the Red Bull was awesome. Something really quite different about it, but one things for sure, I loved it! Fewer sections than some trails, but longer, more varied, good technical slow sections, fast flowing sections and jumps!
The drive there was a little wet and we were considering our options at one point, but no fear, it was damp but no longer raining, so we headed up the climb and tbh, none of the climbs are too fierce (apart from that one where we turned the corner to which I yelled "oh you c*nt!). The first singletrack sections were technical, but a refreshing change and knowing the Red bull was a few years old, was good to see it still in good condition.
Onwards and the rocky horror show was awesome. I sped ahead to find a filming spot and went beyond some good spots as I didn't want to stop riding it flowed that well, the ride flowed brilliantly, good air, high speed, the bike working excellently. Did some filming and after that we found a great spot to film where I fell. Quite a good fall, no real injuries, just a slightly bashed knee, but the arm pads did their job, needless to say i didnt have the leg ones on!
After the 2nd puncture of the day, we continued onwards and the whole ride came together very well, a good final descent and overall I was very impressed. After some gooning about on the 4cross track (needs urgent TLC as the berms, jumps and whole track is in a bit of disrepair) we packed up watched our filming and that was the conclusion of Bloodanddustandmud, so really looking forward to seeing that.
Enough ranting....but Coed y Brenin Red Bull style was awesome, as was the drive back, some good pace notes from moi and driving from James 'McRae' Hilton!

I'll keep it short - its late and I'm tired - but what a day! Absolutely amazing.

The drive was lots of fun - the road from Bala to Dolgellau especially, and then arriving at the forest to find the car park machines were out of order was a stroke of luck.
The first climb on the Red Bull is hard work but we were rewarded with some different but definitely great fun singletrack.

Fun all the way round to the dual course at the finish with just one real crash - Mr Warnock not dissappointing and it was caught on camera. The dual course was the only let down of the day but still a good chuckle.

I'll leave the more in depth reports to Scott, Chris and Leo but I had fun - I'm sure they all did - and without a shadow of a doubt I hope its not two years before we go back.

Aha, the Halfords arguement. To be fair, it is a stunnign generalisation, and there are some decent bikes in there (including your own), but the phrase applies to the "Full suspension system" that you get for a bargain £89. I.e, cheap sh*t bikes!

That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Greetings! How is life back up North? This place is full of Southern pansies

Anyway, I thought you might be slightly interested in a rather dubious injury I sustained whilst out mountain biking...According to my physio (yes, I am a bit young to have a private physio) the pains that I have been suffering on and off for the past couple of months that have been getting worse, are a side affect of the left side of my pelvis becoming twisted forward out of alignment. This had culminated in barely being able to walk just before my trip down to uni one night, so I was unable to go out. I'm sure you understand my wholehearted frustration at not being able to go fora few drinks with the lads... After a trip to the doctor, the private physio(due to a waiting period of around 35 years for an NHS one) identified my lop-sidedness. I think he put it back into place, but Im still not without the odd pain in the back, something that has nothing to do with my mum! And what is the cause of this injury, I hear you say?? That bloody fall in Gwydyr that buckled my front wheel! I think... That is the only thing that happened that could perhaps be attributed to the injury. And although it may not look as impressive as some of the scars that Mr Warnock in particular sports, I think I could say that it is an injury to rival many of yours!
This was a good few months ago now, and still im not better. According to my new college physio, I should sit up straight. This will then solve all my problems and worries about not being able to play sport properly etc. I have heard a roumer that she isnt very good though...

Ok, enough ranting now, as I'm sure you're all very annoyed that I've torn you away from your work. Hope the new jobs/bike parts/wife are all living upto expectations - uni certainly is! Got a big room, good floor mates and apparently a much higher than average spread of good looking girlies for a college intake. :D
Not managed to find much in the way of bike action, apart from overtaking a roadie on a granny foldup bike! Apparently theres a hill somewhere in Cambridge too, although Ive yet to find it. I have a feeling that it will be as wet as Llandegla.

Wait until you ride Coed-y-brenin, Gwydwr or even better Glentress in the New Year, Andy, then you'll know what we mean...

As for the Halfords bikes, I'll leave Scott to defend that one!

Cheers for the trip on Sunday. I think you are all being a bit harsh, as James says it was my first trip on a purpose built track, but I really enjoyed it (except the bit where I went over the handlebars).

No permanent damage to either me or the bike so all's well that ends well. Looking forward to my next trip.

P.S. Oi Airman, what's wrong with Halfords bikes!!!

What does Llandegla and lettuce have in common? No, not that rabbits like them, but WET, lettuce is wet, Llandegla is wet. Wet sums up what riding round Llandegla feels like, not that I'm mumping about the mud, after all it is an outdoor sport.
The riding itself was a bit wet. Uphill for a while, down for 10 seconds, up, up a bit more, down a little bit, a jump into a berm, up, some DJ style jumps 2 metres after an uphill climb. WTF is going on. It's clearly built for families/Halfords bikes, so without being rude, it was 'Wet'. You could replace that word for many other words, but I'm trying not to swear so much these days.
Even the DH 'extreme' black route was bit 'wet'. Decent, verging on really good, but lasted about 20 secs. I think families will love it, but despite my bulging waistline, I'll never be called a family!
ring on the next venture to Wales.

Llandegla
Well what can I say?

I think its fair to say 3 of the 4 of us felt let down. It was Andy's first trip outside of Macc with us so he had no expectations, however the rest of us were expecting something good and unfortunately Llandegla never delivered.

Main points:
1) Trail surface
Nice and smooth most of the time - however here lies the problem! The feeling that is was aimed at perhaps Joe Public rather then more experienced riders?
2) Trail routes
Very bad use of the gradient - you'd get 20 seconds of awesome berms and jumps and then it would either stop all together or the line would be wrong so you had to scrub a load of speed to avoid an accident. NO FLOW whatsoever.

I think the fact it is advertised as a RED ROUTE is trying to cash in on Glentress. Whereas Glentress's red route is challenging, fun and full of flow - Llandegla certainly is not.

The only saving grace is that the BLACK ROUTE, a short DH/freeeeeee-ride section was great fun but again petered out. The centre needs more of this type of riding if it is to advertise itself to the young 'freeride' aggressive XC riding market. Cashing it not only leaves everyone dissappointed, but also means that the centre stands to put off (or worse in some cases - scare off) a lot of beginners.

I'm not sure that anything can be done. Riders should have been consulted from the start. The idea of the place is spot on, the vibe is also great - however the trails did not match this and unfortunately I doubt any remedial action from now can make much difference.

I can say one thing - we won't be back*

(*unless they build a few more black runs)

Just to confirm - rides until Christmas are as follows:

16th Oct Llandegla
30th Oct Coedybrenin
13th Nov Castleton
11th Dec Gwydwr

Nannerch is to close?
Big news over on the Dirt and Singletrack websites as well as Homegrownpushbikes.

Bad news for roots downhill riding - Nannerch was the first course we ever visited as a group way back in April 2003 - but positive sounds from Forestry Commission Wales mean that good things may happen elsewhere... which does give you inspiration that there are people out there who are on the riders side.

No riding today - rain rain rain and hangovers. Looking forward to Llandegla next Sunday more than ever.

Anyone up for a ride on Saturday morning? Scott and I are planning on heading out ahead of the big ride the weekend after. Text/Email me if you're up for it.

So what do you think? This is the new look Fearingout and don't worry, we won't be going anywhere again soon! Gone are the tons and tons of fairly average ride photos - we'll still have regular Wednesday rides (season and weather permitting) - just there won't be photos unless something cool happens.

However, the idea is the new site has more a magazine feel, with a sort of mini write up of our trips further afield... oh and also fewer but better photos.

The winter does slow things up, but there are plans to ride Llandegla, Coed-y-brenin, Castleton and Gwydwr all again before we see in the new year. The DVD will be top quality and is due out before Christmas - let me know if you want a copy.

So lets keep this thing working shall we. Here's to the future...