White Oak / TVT MTB Tour, South Wales

14-16th October 2005

[Intro]   [Activities]   [Accommodation]   [Agenda]   [Booking]

Intro

Every year White Oak Triathlon Squad (my old club) organise a very successful Mountain bike weekend for it's members and this year they have very generously opened an invitation for TVT members to join them. In return I will help with the organisation of the weekend and as a first step have created the following information page detailing the weekend's agenda.

I should stress that this is only a guideline though and that this weekend should not be treated as a formal training trip, it's more of an end of season bash with people doing as much or as little as they want each day. Maybe one day MTB is all you can take? Maybe you fancy a bit of horse riding as well? Or a walk in Afan Forest or Margam Country Park?

We are expecting 30 to 40 riders on this weekend and places need to be reserved by Sunday 4th September. Please email me to reserve a place. TVT members can also go to our forums  to ask any questions re the event via this message.

These are excellent weekend's suitable for all abilities and it would be great to get a good crowd going from TVT. There will be a bar and restaurant available at our accommodation so this will also be an excellent opportunity for some end of season socialising. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Nick Babington

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Activities

Mountain biking:  The majority of our Mountain biking will take place in Afan Forest Park on the purpose built MTB trails. There are 4 trails available from the 1.5 to 3 hour trail named 'The Wall' to the more challenging 4 to 7 hour 'Skyline. We will split into 3 groups - Social, Medium and Fast so everyone can ride at their own enjoyable pace. Each group can then decide which of the 4 routes they wish to take. All these routes are marked so there is no need for map reading and no excuse for getting lost (fingers crossed).

We also have the option of riding in Margam Forest  which can be accessed directly from our accommodation. This will be ideal for anyone who simply wants to go out for a shorter ride or for couples who wished to be based around the accommodation to use the other facilities on offer. These are open trails though so you will need a local map unless you are feeling brave. Apparently our hosts have a variety of maps and can guide us where to go as they use the forest for their horse riding trips.

Night Ride: Have you ever ridden a MTB in the forest at night? This is excellent fun for the more experienced biker but you will need an extra powerful set of lights. Let me know if you would be interested in a night ride in Margam Forest.

Other Activities: We will be staying at the L & A holiday and riding centre which also has daily (£12) or half daily (£6) horse riding available. Please email me if you are interested in this and I will contact them to make a group booking. We could also organise a hike in Margam Forest if there's enough interest from any non riders or you could chose from a large list of other activities available in the area. My non MTB'ing wife is thinking of attending if there are any other partners interested in a non biking weekend. Her agenda would probably include horse riding, shopping, walking, eating and drinking. I'm sure she would also track down a health spa if there's one in the area.

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Accommodation

We will be staying at the L & A holiday and riding centre. 

"The deluxe log cabins/chalets are very attractive and self contained and are situated alongside a mountain stream running with trout. Just like any good holiday centre there has to be a club house. The L & A Holiday Riding Centre is no exception. The Watering Hole Café/Bar is situated among the trees near the river and is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal and a drink with your family and friends. A range of home cooked foods are served daily and there are BBQ facilities too. The Riding centre sports an outdoor heated swimming pool, which is situated in a sheltered part of our complex (if you're feeling brave in October)."

The centre also offer bike storage and cleaning facilities and limited Mountain Bike hire is also available. Alternatively specialist bike hire is available from Afan Valley Bike Hire.

The centre is located only 2min drive from Junc40 of the M4 and only 10mins drive from the Afan Forest Park. Port Talbot and Swansea are also only a short drives away for those looking for local shopping or for a more adventurous night out. 

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Agenda (flexible and subject to change)

• Friday 7.30AM - Meet in Reading for drive to Wales.

• Friday 10.30AM  - Meet at the L & A holiday and riding centre and unload luggage etc.

• Friday 11.30AM - Meet in Afan Forest Car Park

• Friday 12.00 - Ride 'The Wall' - 1.5 to 3 hours.

• Friday 17.00 - Night ride in Margam Forest from accomodation.

• Friday 19.30 - Meet for evening meal and drinks at L&A clubhouse

• Sat 9.30AM - Meet in Afan Forest Car Park

• Sat 10AM - Ride 'Skyline' - 4 to 7 hours.

• Sat 19.30 - Meet for evening meal and drinks at L&A clubhouse or Indian in Port Talbot.

• Sun 9.30AM - Meet in Afan Forest Car Park

• Sun 10AM - Ride 'Whites Trail' - 2 to 3 hours.

• Sun 1pm - Ride 'Penhydd Trail' - 1.5 to 3 hours.

• Sun 17.00 - Depart for home

This agenda is extremely flexible - Some people may just prefer a short ride in Margam Forest on Sunday morning before departing and some people may prefer other activities on any or all of the days.

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Booking

To book a place on this trip we would need a £20 deposit by Sunday 4th September. I (Nick Babington) will be collecting money on behalf of TVT and Gary Bryant on behalf of White Oak. In the first instance please email me to reserve your place. 

We have received a discounted accommodation rate which should reduce the costs to approx £50 per person based on 6 or 8 people sharing a cabin for two nights. A third night is available at an extra £29 per person if required. The Mountain Biking is free so there are no other expenses apart from your own food and drink money which you will buy directly yourselves. Horse riding and any other activities will also be payable directly if required.

If you prefer your own cabin these may be available but will be charged at the centre's standard rates which are: £190 for 2 people and £280 for 4 people based on a two night stay. Please contact me if you're booking your own cabin direct so we can monitor how many cabins are being booked and to ensure there are still enough cabins for the remaining group.

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