Real Ale Wobble in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

[Colin]

A good place to meet would be in mid November where one weekend every year they hold the Real Ale Wobble in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. It's a non-competitive 'race' in the welsh forests where every so often en route there's a pitstop with Real Ale in barrels to help you on your way! Usually about 300 mountain bikers turn up. Then in the evenings you sup beer to live music etc in this charming small town in the middle of bumblef*ck.

It's about £20 to enter and you can camp in the playing fields. Here's a link: http://llanwrtyd-wells.powys.org.uk/event8thalewobble.htm or http://www.virtualbike.co.uk/displayarticle7.html . For that matter just type Real Ale Wobble into google or your search engine of choice. I've been going with my mates since 1997. It's great craic.

Hey Orange!
This sounds Great!
How did it go? what distance did you do?
How many halves do you get?
How much of a killer is it really?
Is it a very technical ride?
Let me know if you're going again in Nov '06.

Col.

[orange]

Hi - to answer your questions in turn!


How did it go? Great - I've done it 9 times now!

what distance did you do? Usually we do the short or medium ride (14 or 20 miles usually) however one year we did the long one (30ish miles)

How many halves do you get? On the ride you have tokens enough for about 3 pints I think but you can always scav some more off your mates if they wimp out!

How much of a killer is it really? Well it's non-competitive so you take it at your own pace, however they scrape you off the course once it starts getting dark! The course is mixed - mostly fire tracks through forests, but also slippery singletrack in between trees, through several streams and bogs. All round great route really. Reasonably well signposted but you get a map anyway.

Is it a very technical ride? It's what you make of it. Last year they added an extra 1/4 mile loop if you fancied a technical test, but otherwise if you want to walk a steep bit (up or down!) you do. There's no hassle off anybody 'cept your mates!! Mostly great fun and nothing you can't back out of or bypass if you lose your bottle. Also there are shortcuts home if you get knackered/hurt before the end etc.

Let me know if you're going again in Nov '06 - of course I'm going, it'll be the 10th anniversary outing!!  [smiley=laughing.gif] Usually at least 2 or 3 of my mates come along from various parts of the country. We're all in our thirties now and only reasonably fit - whippets we ain't! No problem to hook up with you closer to the time to meet up there.

Any other UK riders welcome to join us too off this forum. Or even further afield if you have the money to fly over!!!