Tim Corrigan blogs on cycling, trips and programming…

Last weekend Andy, Mark, Chris and I headed over to Afan forest in south Wales for some mountain biking on the custom built trails there. On the first day we rode the Penhydd trail, with a guide giving us some skills coaching including handling switch-backs, roots, and all sorts of other trail obstacles. Andy managed to fling himself over the handlebars but landed on a nice grass bank so all was well.

The night was spent in a B&B in Port Talbot – a town that although not blessed with beauty or wealth was nonetheless worth a visit for the experience (£9 for 7 drinks). The B&B also provided sherry in our room!

Day 2 was pure adrenaline on the White’s Level trail up the road with an hour and a half of technical climbing, followed by enough downhill that we were struggling to hold on to our bars by the end (I have blisters on my thumbs). Everyone came off the bike except me – I’m the cautious one (and therefore not that fast!) but all walked away without injury and a big grin on their face. We can’t wait to go back!