Llandegla mountain bike center had recently
opened its doors and with it being only 20mins
drive from Chester I thought it best to take
everyone round to have a look at what was on
offer.  Once at the car park I was glad to see a
good group congregating at the Visitor Center ready for the 10am
start.  It was my fault we didn't start riding on time.  On getting my bike
out of the car I noticed the cuts in my side walls had progressed actual
holes, complete with innertube bulging out in a number of places
while it had been left idle for four days.  Thankfully Ian and Jim had
Ken halfway up the first climb
managed to get the bike shop at
the center well stocked by then so
I was able to purchase some
replacements.  With that sorted we
set off.  Trev, Roger and some of
the MTBWales crew joined us for
the first climb on the start of their
Steve and Maca
starting the first climb
Andy and Karl following
Andys dog
Blackers and Crispy with
the rest of MTBWales
ride which was to take in some of the local
hills as well.  Near the top we went our
separate ways with the Shop Ride continuing
along the Red Route.  It was not long till we
were enjoying the great gravity assisted trails
that are contained in the forest.  The berms,
Annwen and Veronika (left) and
Mike and Jim (above) halfway
up the first climb
Steve, Me and Dave P
Regrouping near the top
Libby and Paul B emerging from the trees at the top of the
Red Route
jumps (only if you want to)
and twisting singletrack
were fantastic to ride, with
everyone emerging from
each section with big smiles
on their faces.  I think the
smiles got bigger when I
over shot one corner and
had to be pulled out of the
undergrowth.  There were a
Veronika riding
a berm
Veronika, Maca and Jim at the first big berm of the Red Route
few raised wooden sections on the trail, the first of which being the
easiest made of smooth planks.  The final one with its rough logs
caught a few people out.  Those who walked did believe it was doable
though, something to come back and conquer. Just over two hours of
great riding later we all returned  to the center ready for some food.  
Most of the people who had eaten commented how good the food
was and I was not disappointed with one of the best bacon and egg
baps I have had in a long time.  We had always planned a second lap,  
repeating the Red Route but faster and taking in some of the tricker
Veronika (above) and Dave P
(below) flying on the forest trails
Mike and Me on the
short, sharp climb
Libby on one of the
wider trails
Mike on the        North
'Wales' Shore
Maca (left) testing the
limits of my camera
Ken (right) getting
some encouragement
on the lumpy raised
wooden trail
sections.  After a quick discussion of who
could fit in what, half the group came with
me on the Red, with Maca volunteering to
take a shorter ride on the Green so giving
more options.  After being met by Mark D,
Libby on the singletrack
who had ridden out from Chester, we waved
goodbye to Maca and set out on the Red again,
with a bit more commitment this time as we had
a better idea of what was round the corner.  To
add even more interest we had a go on the
short Black Run in the middle of the loop.  This
stepped it up a notch with a series of tabletops
and doubles.  They were all rollable so safe for
Maca setting out on a
lap of the Green Route
A gorgeous day to sit outside and
enjoy some great food
Jan riding the berms
on the first descent on
the Red Route
Steve and Paul B riding the jumps just after the
berms on the first descent
those who didn't want to get
some air, but even more fun for
those who did.  Once I had
calmed down from my adrenalin
fueled babbling we hooked
back up with the Red Route and
made sure we enjoyed the last
sections of the ride.  All too
soon we were turning off from
the fast wide combined Blue,
After riding one of the largest berms I have ever
seen we emerge at speed to ride a sweet bit of
woodland singletrack
Starting to the tiredness
on the short sharp climb
Green and Red trail, returning to the
Visitor Center, for the final section of Red
singletrack.  Thankfully it finishes on a
high with a trail that snakes through the
(clockwise) Jan, Jim and Veronika in a
flowing series of berms
Mark D climbing away from
the top of the Black Run
trees then widens at the end to take in a few
berms followed by a chute (that is very nice to
drop) and a tabletop.  Back at the Center again
the sun had fortunately stayed out and we could
spend a little more time, with coffee in hand,
chatting about the great ride we had all just had.
Libby, Veronika and Jan on doubletrack
towards the end of the Red Route
Libby, Jan (above) and Jim (left) riding
the chute and tabletop on the on the
fantastic finish to the Red Route
Libby riding one of the final corners
Ken (right) with the rest of
the group at the top of
the Red Route heading
for the first descent