Our MTB Welsh washout

No one (on our recent trip) could forgive me for saying how relieved we were for being 'back on terra ferma' after an arduous loop of the now famous 'Skyline'. The weather was predictably poor but made even worse by the fast swooping low pressure weather patterns passing us on Saturday.

Pete and I met up in west London and made our way out of London before meeting Tim and Tom at the M&S services on the M4. After a quick coffee and a take-out sandwich we continued to Bridgend in South Wales. We eventually found the B&B (Parc House BB) and after a quick house-rules briefing we headed for the local pick-up bar for some much needed beers. Pete opted for the posh whisky and the real men Guiness and Beer.

After an early night we headed for the trails. We parked up at Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre in Glyncorrwg paid for parking and after some frantic bb cup changes, by Tom master-mechanic, were out on the trails. We seemed to struggle to get the correct pressures in our tyres and shocks but this was probably because we were all so use to our high-pressure tyres of the road bikes. Luckily, Tim brought his shock-pump along.

The trails were still sweet despite the rain, wind and hail - no one can argue with that. Despite the weather there were still quite a few riders out. [this is a hardcore sport remember]. After making our way up the first ascent - past all the slow riders - we had some open road and began to up the pace somewhat. Tom, the main instigator, looked pretty fluid through the tight rocky track - closely followed by me. Tim started cautiously and steadily built up his speed until we rode as a tightly knit group. Only Pete, suffering with a cold, lagged a little behind. He later confessed that he had no top end.

By the end of the trail (and it couldn't come sooner) we were all hypothermic and desparately hungry. We braved the elements to return to the cycle centre, hose the bikes off and change. The lunchtime meal was superb - a proper man-size portion - and the coffees equally good. We thought we'd celebrate our survival with an refreshing 'Speckled Hen' ale. And they were f**ken good.

Later that night we had a great meal (Curry at the mirrorred place) in Bridgend. Then after a couple of cheeky beers headed for a night out. By some sheer coincidence we landed up at the 'Barracuda' bar which claims it's South African. The only thing related to South Africa was the flags hanging on the wall and the Castle Lager beer they sold. Even the waiter didn't know why the bar was South African? He hinted later that he thought the owner might be South African. With the newly-wed Tom there there were no pulling shinanigans so he instead opted to make friends with a Thai boxer. He scored 943 on the punch-bag machine - the record later denied by the said machine.

Tom started loosing control of his common sense so as soon as Pete retired for the night we began shoving double Tequilas down our necks - yuk!! I wont go on about the night as it may bore you. Suffice to say that we (rather me) stubbled out a little after 12am and walked home.

The next morning the rain was still coming down and the winds blowing a gust. We pondered the trails over breakfast - which was slow and drawn out. Pete decided that he was too unwell to brave the elements again and decided that we just head home. So, after quick parting goodbyes we headed east to London. From the sound of things Tim and Tom had awfull conditions again so not too much missed there.

We had a great weekend. Thanks for the great company (and Tom for organising the accommodation) and Pete for the lift up in his sorts car - Toyota Celica. Pete, don't forget to post the white hand towel back to the B&B.