3/3/06 Wales Trip

Last Wednesday the shop was closed as usual, but not so Dan and I could do the shopping or sit in front of the telly, instead we decided to pick up two of our freshly delivered Nicolais and get out riding, heading off to the snowy trails in Wales

We headed for Cwm Carn in South Wales to try the XC loop and DH run (more info on www.mbwales.com). Before we left we should have checked the weather, but luckily we didn’t so were surprised by the 3-4in of snow we found. This was a very pleasant change from the regular mud and rain that is normally found this time of year. The car park was very empty and the information centre was closed so we headed of up the trails unsure of what to expect.

So what were our weapons of choice for the day? Dan was gleefully pedalling away on his shiny freshly built new Nicolai Argon FR equipped with Rohloff and I was lucky enough to be able to ride a Nicolai Nucleon TFR G-Boxx equipped. The Argon loved the trails and was light enough to make easy work out of the climbs, the Rohloff also did a great job of keeping everything running very smoothly. The TFR I was riding was a joy and would happily stick to the trails and even found traction on icy roots (is there anything more slippery on a trail? Answers on a postcard...) It was also only the second time I had ridden the G-Boxx gear box and was impressed with how well it avoided any clogging up by the snow. (full reviews still to come)

 It was great being able to ride the XC trail following only the single tyre track of the one other rider on the loop that day. As we climbed to the valley ridge the snow got deeper and the weather colder, by the time we were riding the ridge top the weather had come in further down the valley and we could see the whole area getting a fresh dusting of snow.

By the time we were sliding back down the valley sides the skies had cleared again and sunshine was glaring off the snow. It turned out to be a great ride and a trip well worth taking and would happily recommend it to anyone. 

The DH trail couldn’t even be considered though due to the snow covering the trail and causing problems with access to the top so the TFR was left unchallenged to fight again another day, but I'm sure we'll be heading back soon once the snow melts.

 -Oli