Coed Llandegla, Wrexham

Length:              21km

Difficulty            Red/Black
Climb                 Lots
Duration:           1.5 – 3hrs
Grade:               3/5

If this trail were rated merely for the black graded sections, it would get 5/5 in my book.

The approximately 8-10km of actual black graded trail offers a great mix of terrain, typology, speed and fun. There are jumps on every straight and berms at every corner. The only downside to this palate of delights is that you are unwittingly coaxed in to pushing as hard as you can without ever really planning to. Don’t get me wrong; this is how it needs to be done – Hard. Fast. Smooth!

It is, however, quite hard to find the same level of enthusiasm for the rest of the trail, especially after sampling the black bits.

The trail is essentially the red loop with the added spice of the more technically challenging ‘black’ sections. Combined, this offers 21km of trail. Not all, however, is singletrack. The ride shares the initial climb from the car park with the blue trail. As such this makes for an initially comfortable and start, allowing one to warm up gently and facilitating chat amongst riding buddies. The lack of a technical challenge very soon becomes tiresome, unfortunately the climb continues for what begins to feel like a never-ending length of time.

The fact that this area has been clear felled only adds to the tiresome nature of this first section. One advantage, I think that were the start as engaging as the black sections the trail would inevitably be very tiring, however this is a very minor benefit for a complete lack of interest.

As it is, I could only just manufacture the will to pedal up the final climb, only to be disappointed yet again. There is, to my despair, no final descent to the car park, which makes for quite an anti-climax to the end of the ride. A final descent usually provides a definite and perfect end.

There is definitely a feeling that the Red sections (i.e. more than half of the actual trail) were merely a link between the trailhead (visitors centre & car park) and the black sections.

As bad as this may sound, these sections are actually worth the pain. With great north-shore trail followed by one after another of really well crafted table top jumps and drops and super big berms you cannot help it to find a massive grin spread across your face after each and every section. They are quick, they flow superbly well together and there are no dodgy switch back corners in silly locations to spoil your momentum (warp speed btw).

While riding through the initial blue section, a friend of mine commented on the regimented nature of the trees – set out to aid felling for timber supplies. This is a clear indication that the woodland is by no means a ‘natural’ landscape. The trail itself is a reflection of this. Like an A-road passing through the English countryside, the trail carves a similarly drastic line through the wood with very little connection to its surroundings.

The designers appear to have favoured substance over style. The trail is hard packed stone and appears well managed. There was very little evidence of erosion or damage from use. There are a number of well placed drainage culverts, mainly on the steeper climbs/descents to ensure that rainwater cannot damage the trail and where ever the trail traverses boggy ground you are treated to sections of boardwalk to stave the mud-fest. The loop has definitely been designed to last.

The trail, as a complete entity, felt much longer than it actually was. In fact there was a certain level of disappointment between my riding colleagues when they were reminded it is only 21km. The level of engagement and effort used on the black sections (i.e. having fun) distorted the normal flow of time somewhat – time flies… as they say!