Anyone ridden this route? Any good? Any tips?

http://www.mbruk.co.uk/mbruk_SarnHelenTrail_details.htm

Most of it until Brecon in one form or another over the years. There's probably better ways of riding N-S Wales but it's generally okay.

*Very far removed from what little we actually know about the Sarn Helen road.

Yes, but the version Aiden put together. Did it a few years ago over a nice leisurely weekend. 60 hours or so IIRC.

Bits of it are great, bits are awful. That’s what makes it memorable

EDIT: enjoy the Monks Trod .... best done about 2am

GregMay wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:42 pm Yes, but the version Aiden put together. Did it a few years ago over a nice leisurely weekend. 60 hours or so IIRC.

Bits of it are great, bits are awful. That’s what makes it memorable

EDIT: enjoy the Monks Trod .... best done about 2am

I tried googling the Aidan Harding route but drew a blank

If you look up Mountain Bike Wales, they did a coast to coast using Sarn Helen this summer. I'm sure they'd be happy to share some intel.

woodsmith wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 5:02 pm

GregMay wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:42 pm Yes, but the version Aiden put together. Did it a few years ago over a nice leisurely weekend. 60 hours or so IIRC.

Bits of it are great, bits are awful. That’s what makes it memorable

EDIT: enjoy the Monks Trod .... best done about 2am

I tried googling the Aidan Harding route but drew a blank

Your Google-fu is weak :) http://www.aidanharding.com/2010/12/an- ... len-trail/

GregMay wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:42 pm
EDIT: enjoy the Monks Trod .... best done about 2am

I once tried riding this above Strata Florida as it exits off the track to Claerwen... interesting. Best called a Bog Trod.

mattpage wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:10 pm

GregMay wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:42 pm
EDIT: enjoy the Monks Trod .... best done about 2am

I once tried riding this above Strata Florida as it exits off the track to Claerwen... interesting. Best called a Bog Trod.

SHhhh, don't give away all the fun.

I once tried riding this above Strata Florida as it exits off the track to Claerwen... interesting. Best called a Bog Trod.

It's weird - you pull off the main Claerwen track and everything looks great for 200 yards then out of nowhere, it vanishes

It's a really odd section. The white sign of doom says it all though:

I think of how far along I got before turning around and giving up and often think, what if a good track was just a few hundred metres away. Normally things like this would have me back to attempt it again, but not this one

Did it in 2014, never been back on that trail since!

I did it in the middle of the summer before last - didn’t even get my feet damp

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:33 pm Most of it until Brecon in one form or another over the years. There's probably better ways of riding N-S Wales but it's generally okay.

*Very far removed from what little we actually know about the Sarn Helen road.

Have an idea to ride bottom-to-top-to-bottom of wales over a week in September.

Thinking Sarn Helen on the way up, then a different route on the way down.

Searching, found your post here.
Would appreciate suggestions for route ideas.

Ta.

Offa's Byke would make a nice leg south.

Midweek - it can be very, very busy at the weekend.

Not Offa's Dyke Greg - Byke

Ref Offa's Byke - the off-road cycle trail from Tintern to Chepstow is now open Stu. Goes through an old railway tunnel which is locked at night ( private, permissive bike path).

Ref Monks Trod - don't know what you mean, I've driven that in a Series I Land Rover a couple of times (back in the 80s before the TRO, there were even marker posts along the way although most were missing. It was a lot like people say the Somme was like!).

Ref Sarn Helen - that name seems to apply to a number of alternate historical routes through Wales when you look at old maps rather than a single road. Below Brecon to Neath is a good mostly off-road track Stu.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 8:25 pm Not Offa's Dyke Greg - Byke

Ahh! Roger that. Used to live in Llandyrnog so rode up there a lot.

Monks Trod is particularly nice in the pitch black into driving snow. Also done it both ways in the blazing sun and stayed perfectly dry. Happy days.

Oh the Monks Trod... Attempted once. Never again.