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2. We provide Honda CRF250 L trail bikes and a full set of enduro clothing. We can supply a Honda CRF230 which is a little lower, narrow and lighter, for any rider who finds the L too big.
3. If you have your own trail or enduro bike, we can provide guiding. All riders and motorcycles must be road legal.
4. Trail riding is a lot of fun! It can be very challenging. You ride fords and extremely steep hills; you cope with boulders, gravel, rock slabs, ruts, mud and slippery grass.
5. We use routes open to the public: byways open to all traffic and untarmacked council roads, with a few farmers’ tracks where we have obtained permission. Some look more like footpaths than roads!
6. The conditions are always changing, as shale and gravel can be washed away after heavy rain, and some routes become overgrown with plants in the summer.
7. Skills such as throttle and clutch control become finely honed. Like road riding, looking ahead and planning is key to riding well. We teach you how to ford a river safely. Might come in useful if you are ever caught in an unexpected flood!
8. Consideration for the farmers, other users of the countryside and the livestock we pass, is extremely important to us. We expect our customers to behave with courtesy, whether they are using our bikes or have their own. We adhere to the Code of Conduct devised by the Trail Riders Fellowship.
9. We work with a few accommodation providers who are happy for us to bring the bikes to their premises, including Tynrhyd Retreat, Devils Bridge, the White Lion and Maenllwyd, Machynlleth. The Hafren Bunkhouse is near our house. www.tynrhyd.com www.whitelionhotel.co.uk www.maenllwyd.co.uk www.hafrenforestbunkhouse.com
10. Mostly we do a full day’s riding, but we also offer two or three days. From time to time we organise special events, such as the Red Ride for owners of Honda CRF250Ls and Rallys, compact or half day sessions and classic bike rides. We ride all year round. Winter days are subject to the forecast being ice-free at ground level.
11. Our trail bikes are ideal for road riders with little or no trail or offroad experience. We begin with a few miles on tarmac which allows you to get used to the bike. Then we go on to gravel, progressing on to more challenging surfaces such as rock, grass and mud.
12. At the start of the first green lane, we do a short tuition session. However, you won’t remember it all, so as the day progresses we give hints and tips at new features. Hints are available here for people who prefer to come prepared.
13. We do not mix experienced trail or offroad riders with those who are new to trail riding. If doing two days, we will take you to a different area. We are lucky that the scenery is beautiful in our area!
14. If friends are mixed in ability and experience, we usually ride part of the day together, splitting at times to give the experienced experienced riders more of a challenge. If preferred, we can do separate rides, meeting at lunch time.
15. Many other users are opposed to vehicles in the countryside. Along with other members of the Mid Wales Trail Riders Fellowship Group, we are active in maintaining good relationships with farmers.
16. Combining a long weekend of road riding in the Welsh hills with the option of doing some trail riding is motorcycling at its best.
17. Trail riding is suitable for all levels of rider.