Black Canon Collective

Category: Trail Leader

  • XC Ride Away – April – Cwmcarn

    Tomorrow’s ride will be a cracker, great weather and great singletrack… yum

    Here’s all the details you’ll need (thanks to Mark Amor) :

    We’ll be looking to do 2 loops on Sunday with time for us all to enjoy the free ride section once we reach the top. There is a café for food and drinks, but riders will need to bring enough while riding.
    The ride is open to members & non members, we’ll be meeting in the Frome car park near the Cheese & Grain on Sunday around 8.30am to leave for 8.45am.

    Twrch Trail – Cwmcarn

    • Overall grade red/difficult
    • Distance 15.5km
    • Time 1.5 – 2.5 hours
    • Climb 300m

    Here’s the blurb about the trail from the website:

    This is a superb trail of the very highest quality that is not for the faint hearted. Virtually the entire route is on purpose built singletrack through a mixture of broadleaf and conifer woodlands and open ridge tops.
    The riding varies from open and flowing hard pack to tight technical and rooty and is rideable in all weather. In places the trail hugs the sides of some very steep wooded side slopes, demanding concentration, whilst in others it sweeps along open ground giving you the chance to take in dramatic views of the Bristol Channel and the surrounding hills

    Bike Trail Grade

    Suitable for Proficient mountain bikers with good off-road

    riding skills. Suitable for better quality off-road mountain bikes.

    Trail & surface types

    Steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect very variable surface types.

    Gradients & technical trail features (TTFs)

    A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings.

    Suggested fitness level

    Higher level of fitness and stamina.

    Check out the club forum to arrange transport etc…

  • How to fix broken people

    …after mastering the french kiss we learnt lots about rolling people over, punching them in the back, sticking a foot in their crotch and the importance of ASSESSING THE SITUATION! Joking aside though, we all learnt loads and are now all very capable of dealing with most MTB first aid situations. Thanks to Alan from AS Training (and the ITC) for a great course.

  • New – Monthly XC Ride Away

    This is great news, thanks to the ride leader training and some momentum picking up from the weekly night riders the club will be offering a monthly XC ride away! This will me a permanent fixture in the club calendar and will be held in between the Ticker Tape & Dig Days each month. With loads of local and not so local trails and routes to explore we promise to keep things fresh.

    Full details will be available on the website, via the news feed, Calendar and also the club Forum where you can discuss the ride or make travel arrangements etc.

    Our first ride:

    The Gap Route – Brecon Beacons

    Distance: 40km
    Total Ascent: 1100m
    Duration: 5h +
    Date: Sunday 21/03/2010
    Meeting point: Talybont-on-Usk
    Meeting Time: 10am for a 10:30 start

    (Parking is on the main road it can be busy, especially if the weather is nice!)

    The ride is mainly on existing bridleways that cut through the Brecon Beacons. The highlight of the route is riding through the ‘Gap’ between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big at 599m

    A route map can be found here: http://www.ridethequantocks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/gap.pdf

    And a description can be found here: http://www.mtb-wales.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpage&pageid=31

    There is a café at about the halfway point, grid reference: SO055175

    Notes:
    Unlike trail centres, the tracks were not designed with mountain bikers in mind, and have to be shared with other users.
    At some places on the route we will be many miles from civilisation, mobile phones can’t be relied upon.
    The highest point on the route is exposed to the full extremes of weather.
    • Ensure your bike is in good mechanical order
    • Always ride within your ability
    • Carry enough food and water for a full day
    • Carry your own tools and spares
    • Even if its sunny when you set off carry a waterproof and warm jersey
    • A personal survival bag or blanket is recommended
    • As is small backup light

    The ride is open to anyone over 18, members and non-members alike.

  • 3 welsh cakes

    Saturday morning mini trip to Cwmcarn with Marjory, Andrew & I:

    3 x “M” bike checks

    Star jumps, a bit of marching drill, some route planning, diet advice, then a family medical history questionnaire.

    2 x leisurely laps + 1 x extra lap of the skills area.

    3 x punctures – (including a wicked pinch flat by Marjory the downhill diva !)

    2 x ham, egg & chips

    1 x faggots & peas

    3 x welsh cakes – (Burp!)

    Good times!