Did an E-Bike just bring this classic UK MTB trail back to life?
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- čas přidán 27. 01. 2024
- Welcome to The 25km Gwydir Mawr Trail (formerly known as the Marin Trail) is a proper mountain bike trail in every sense of the term. Big climbs, big descents, brilliant singletrack and truly awesome scenery make this a trail to remember. Most, but not all, of the climbs are on forest roads and tracks giving you time to take in the views of the mountains of Snowdonia, and all of the descents are on the sweetest singletrack. The singletrack varies from very tight, technical and rocky to wonderfully open and flowing, from dark forest to exposed ridgelines.
It incorporates the shorter Gwydir Bach trail, which is a 8.7km version taking between 45 to 90 minutes to complete.
🌲 Trail Overview:
The Marin Trail, or Gwydir Mawr Trail, offersing a really engaing blend of challenging terrains, scenic vistas, and speedy descents. From flowing singletracks through dense forests to technical sections that will test your skills, Gwydir Mawr Trail has it all. As we navigate its twists and turns, you'll witness firsthand why the Marin Trail is still relevant in 2024.
🏞️ Scenic Beauty:
Wales is known for its stunning natural beauty, and Gwydir Mawr Trail is no exception. The vlog captures the awe-inspiring views of lush green and panoramic landscapes that will leave you in awe. It's not just about the ride; it's about immersing yourself in the sheer magnificence of the Welsh outdoors.
🤘 Thrilling Descents:
Hold onto your handlebars as we take on exhilarating descents that will get your heart racing. Whether you're a seasoned rider seeking a challenge or a newbie looking for an unforgettable experience, Gwydir Mawr Trail delivers with its mix of technical descents and flowy downhill sections.
🎥 Cinematic Experience:
Our vlog is not just about the ride; it's a cinematic journey that captures the essence of Llwybr Marin. High-quality visuals, stunning drone shots, and immersive storytelling will make you feel like you're right there with us on this epic adventure.
🔥 Subscribe & Stay Tuned:
Don't miss out on the excitement! Hit that subscribe button, turn on notifications, and join us for more thrilling mountain biking adventures. The Marin Trail is just the beginning of our journey, and we can't wait to share more epic rides with you!
🚴♀️ Gear Up, Pedal On, and Let the Adventure Begin! 🌟 #MountainBiking #Gwydir Mawr Trail #MarinTrail #WalesAdventure #MTBvlog
If you are new to my videos then expect to see high quality riding vlogs shot in the same style as McTrail Rider and BKXC. I try to travel to the best MTB locations in Scotland finding you the best mountain biking trails to ride, enjoy and explore.
The video was shot on a GoPro Hero 10 mounted on the chin of an Endura MT500 helmet using a R3Pro mount.
I am sponsored by Bird Cycleworks. They make incredible bikes at really competitive prices. check out their range of bikes and more at their website: www.bird.bike/
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I firmly believe this place is one of the best trails in North Wales. I’d sooner ride this place than Degla tbh. Anyone saying this is an XC trail needs to give their head a wobble
It is definitely still a relevant place to ride. Some of those descents were incredible fun 👍
Where exactly is this?
@@barrygargett8192
Gwydir Mawr
Trefor
Caernarfon
LL54 5LB
Wales
Thanks
Anywhere is better than ‘Degla! 😂 I’ve never understood why people like it so much.
The Marin isn’t a bad trail, I can see what it’d be better on an e-bike though.
It'll always be The Marin trail. It's a great loop .It's probably my favourite Welsh trail ride. It's awesome on a hardtail. Glad you had a good day.👍
I was so impressed. Some mega-fun descents 👌
What an absolutely beautiful track it is. Alot of the ups are fire road, the downs are great. It opened up the world of mtb to me and I try and visit every year. It's a big day out and will put a big grin on your face.
Yeah. An absolute classic for sure 👌
Great place! Been there many times.. yeah you've got to work for the downs but i think that's kinda the way it should be. And those last 2 trails back to the carpark are some of the best I've ever ridden. Well worth the climbing!
Totally agree. What a set of trails to end the day on as well!
As a relative local it is, was and will likely always be the Marin😊. I've ridden it probably a hundred times, and to be honest probably started to take it for granted and got a bit bored. It's only when people who've not previously ridden it rave about it, that makes me realise how lucky we are to have it so close. Penmachno is close by but you are 100% right, it's ability to hold water even in spring / summer is a well deserved reputation, and to add insult to injury it also gets very overgrown. However on the rare fully dry occasion Penmachno is utterly brilliant, and knocks everything else in N Wales out of the park.
Amazing. You have some incredible trails close by 👌
Really wow 😮
Thank you 👌
Nice review. Must be one of first trail centre trails I rode about 25 yrs ago, along with coed-y-brenin
I hear there is risk of Coed-y-Brenin closing 🤷♂️ Sad times 😕
Oh no a that would be terrible 😢
One of my Favourite Trails, Yet to do on my Ebike planning to soon ,thank you for the great video 😊
No problem at all. Thanks for the kind comment 👌😁
My 2nd watch. Well I have to say this trail is something I have not considered but I really must get myself down to Wales and do this in Summer. Another great production with top commentary. Loved it. Cheers Jamie. 👍🏻
Thanks buddy. Deffo get down there. On an eeb it is incredible 👌
Definitely on my list for this year. Love it. 👍🏻@@streetpigeonmtb
Great trail in a stunning part of Wales. Some fantastic off-piste on the Betws y Coed side as well. It's pronounced Gwidir Mour (as in hour) and Gwidir Bach (ch as in loch) - well at least in my Scottish accent. The last three descents are brilliant - it's good to see them ridden at speed. We were at Coed y Brenin yesterday on the Blacks, and while they are a lot more technical than the Marin, it's a serious amount of climbing to access them all (unfortunately no e-bike for me...).
Yeah, I'm not normally on an ebike and I remember taking my enduro bike round Coed Y Brenin and being pretty busted by the end of the day 😫
I did that trail back when I got my first e-bike and I really feel that it is the right weapon for the job.
I have to say, on that day, I was very much converted!
Been riding the trail since the very beginning, in those early days it was mostly very smooth. Got rougher and rougher as the years have gone by with mostly just trail clearing and a couple of new sections added. Still do it now as only a short drive away. I do it on a XC HT 100mm front fork. Prefer the HT to my 160mm/170mm full sus.
BTW I'm now 56yrs old.
Of course now mostly everyone is on ebikes likes every trail. 🙄
I'm sure they do. I've resisted an ebike purchase because of the cost and because I'm worried that I'd stop riding bikes so much. I can understand why ebikes are booming though.
Loved this vid!
Cheers Richard. Appreciate that 👍
E-bikes make trail centre red trails super fun, been hammering the 7 stanes recently and it just replaces the huff and puff with grin and smile.
I can see why mate 👍😁
@walestrails9603 I've had some bad experiences of this myself. I don't think it's about blaming ebikers perse, I just think some people are so rude. I've gotten to the point where I just call people out who push past without making you aware, whether they are on an ebike or not. Manners really cost nothing. It drives me mad.
@@walestrails9603 I think it's down to the way people ride and I can say anyone locking up brakes hard on trails (ebike or not) are causing so much damage, no disrespect but often people new to the sport. I'm trying to keep away from natural trails this time of year, due to potential damage, hence the trail centres.
@@walestrails9603 and manners cost nothing, please don't put all ebikers in this category, but yes sure they're out there. I feel bad about catching up to folk, ofter hang back or stop if I know I cannot get past safely
That was a rush just watching, never mind riding it. Cracking content.
Ah mate. That's super kind of you. Really appreciate that 🙌
Before I moved to Scotland many years ago I used to live an hour away from there. I love those trails. We used to lap the first climb into the final descents on summers evenings. I’ve fixed many a puncture after the section you did between 6:20 and 7:00 in the pre-tubeless days! When I was riding there in the early 2000s there was a remnant of an old huge (for the day) step down over the trail that you start at the 14 minute mark. There used to be another hipped jump to bank after the jumps around the 15 minute mark where ambulances were often in attendance, not surprised they got rid of it! I think that’s enough of a history lesson and reminiscing!
There’s quite a few spicy enduro trails on those hills too, but the locals manage to keep them off Trailforks. It looks to have changed a bit since I was last there. I’ll have to go there the next time I’m down to visit family.
Quality work as always Mr Pigeon.
Thanks so much for all that info. Sounds like some of the sketch has disappeared. We went back the next day and lapped the final descents like you said. It was so much fun!
The tree removal has made it even better. I’m loving the openness.
Yeah, nice to have a variety of sheltered and open 👌
the marin trail is a quality trail but there is so much more in the forest that can add on to9 make big day out with lots of natural tech riding, if you are thinking of coming back again would be happoy to meet up and show you whats on offer
Ah cheers mate. That's a kind offer 👍
no problem been riding this area for 20years so can show you so much thatb is not on any maps @@streetpigeonmtb
Superb looking trails! Saving this video as hopefully I will get across from Ireland and spend a few days in Wales! All the best, Adrian
Cheers mate. Deffo check out Dyfi!
Just put this on my todo route on edge. Great video.
Thanks mate. Was a fun one to film and edit!
Nice, I’m heading to north wales for a week in the summer so I’ve added this to the list of places to visit. Also really appreciate how you leave in the moments where you have challenges and verbalise what most of us are thinking at those points
Cheers mate. Appreciate that. Yeah, I think it pays to be honest about these things. I honestly think it makes it more relatable 👌
Being a local to the marin trail, the off piste around the main is awesome. The main track is fun, but the off piste is sick!!
Wish we'd had a chance to explore it. We went back the next day and did a couple of the off piste. They were great. Looked like there was a lot of off piste to ride! 👌
That is a solid loop, really solid. Climbs definitely worth the downs, which I had something like that by me, nice video.
Thank you. It was a really good day. I thought some of those descents were exceptional 👍
Hey Jamie, great edit squire! We love gwydir Mawr. I felt the same about it riding it on my Hardtail. It made the climbs more pleasurable and the descents more visceral. Enduro bikes mute the descents and make the climbs a bit laborious
Yeah, I thought it was a really good experience. Went back the next day and looped the last section and tried some off piste. It was a load of fun 👌
Great edit from a fantastic day out - really enjoyed doing this ride with you, Toby and Niel ! Where to next??
I know! Deffo fancy another trip for sure!
nice track
Yeah, it was a good day out on the bikes 👍
Great video, ive ridden here before and feel you represented it really well. I had the same hesitation on that crux section. I ride a trail hardtail. I don't ride many purpose built trails, mostly seeking out the technical national park bridleway routes. Loved this trail though, good mixture of natural features and the more jumpy stuff at the end. Was buzzing afterwards. I added a halfway stop down at the Ty Hyll cafe adding more (road) climbing back up to the forest. Hot day too, made it all the more satisfying. I like that you mentioned the Kirroughtree comparison, will definitely check it out, I've been to Mabie and really liked that.
Yeah, deffo check it out. It is a pretty unique place. An McMoab is pretty special - czcams.com/video/TFRBJono1UA/video.htmlsi=VePoUdvPgh2D3MCD
Absolutely love this trail, the final descents are fantastic. Have a day playing here and a day at Coed Y Brenin, the Y Slab is an awesome little loop on it's own.
That's great info for next time. Thank you 👌
That section where you stopped with double roots and rock on side ahead of burm, is quite dodgy on regular bike if you dont carry the speed. Ebs there definetly helped to launch that first bit without losing momentum. Btw, Marin is amazing trail, I absolutely love it, but do try Penmachno, that is well fun, but get ready to get wet xD
Cheers buddy. Sounds like it is wet all year round!
Penmachno is the wettest place in the UK 😂, did it a couple of years ago it was like riding a trail up a river on some sections
Yes it pretty much is. Ive ridden it once in mid summer and it still was wet, but not as much. If you wanna check it out in pouring rain, chekc it out on my channel. XD @streetpigeonmtb
Great video, i disnt visit Marin trails for years, as crazily enough the name put me off - Just sounded like a trail centre. But the Marin is excellent, really love the place. Agree with you some excellent descents 👍
Thank you. Yeah, I really enjoyed our ride there. Some great descents and a nice variation in surroundings 👍
did this on my first go as I couldn't see from the fog, rolled straight over it and right into that rock.
Ooft! Hope you were OK 👍
Lucky to have this one local to me and Penmachno trail is similar but pick a dry day for that one
I've heard it's a tad wet!
Penmachno is better than Gwydr Mawr in my opinion. Go when the weather's been dry for a few weeks, though otherwise it's like bog snorkeling. 6@streetpigeonmtb
@resurgem We were debating these two when we were down but had heard about the wet and thought it best to avoid it.
Ace trail as i said on Instagram. I rode it on an analogue a few years back and i must admit my initial reaction was .... those climbs and fire roads ruined it Then i sat down and had a word with myself. Its a great trail. An ebike would definitely make it way easier, but then again that's the idea 😂 A great mix of stuff and some really fun fast sections. Wished id looked up the off piste qhile i was there. Great stuff 👍
I rode a few wee sections of off piste and it was really good. Deffo worth an explore 👍
@@streetpigeonmtb definitely need to get back to sample some of it 👍
Did it a couple of years ago, the fire roads are hateful, but the descents are great.
@resurgem that sounds about right!
One of my fave trails if im ever in that area its a must to ride. Next time your at Dyfi you need to try the Climachx Mountain Bike Trail. Only a couple of miles from Dyfi and a perfect e bike ride.
Ah nice. Thanks for the heads up 👍
A classic ‘old school’ MTB trail. An E bike will make the ascents easier
but then you lose the experience of doing the descents when you’re knackered.
Makes for a fuller day I’m my opinion.
However, if you’re just there for the descents then an E MTB
is the way to go.😀
Deffo one of the classics. I'd like to give it a bash on a normal bike and see how I fared 👍
I love doing big rides on my ebike. On my hardtail mtb I max out at around 25 miles and get too uncomfortable but on the e it's still fun after 40+ miles.
Yeah, I can see the appeal for sure 👍
I'll always have a soft spot for the Marin and along with Coed y Brenin it's always one of the first places I'll take a new bike. It's a 'trail centre' but the trails are natural enough to not feel overly groomed (looking at you, Llandegla) and there's plenty to keep you on your toes, but it still runs well enough in all weathers.
I'd agree with you. The trails felt natural enough but at the same time, not blown out and lacking maintenance like some of the old trail centres in Scotland.
I love the marin I go so often it's crazy. But I recently got an enduro bike so struggling with that and the up hill 😂
Yeah. There are some solid climbs!
That brings back memories, we always class it as xc loop but very Challenging ,dating myself because I was a Scott 26 wheels bike ,way more fun on a ebike .
Yeah, I can understand why so many people can't resist the eeb. They add a different dimension to bike riding for sure 👍
It’s years since I’ve been, last time I went I was on a 100mm travel hardtail, don’t remember it being as rocky and narly as that looked in places but I was a lot braver back then 😅
Yeah, I'd imagine it's been pretty well ridden in. There is a fair bit of exposed rock to navigate 👌😁
Done it on my ebike end of May last year plus a few black bits, lots of fun! Would defe do it again if back that way, just a long way from Peebles.
On another note- no need to put ebike in eco mode for descents, as you go down, you do not drain the battery and might need that extra half crank power on some sections of the trail. Even in turbo, you would probably use 1% top to bottom of say, NYNY
Cheers buddy. Yeah, the downside of Wales is the sheer effort to get there from Scotland. Some journey!
I did this trail yesterday on an ebike, hadn't been there for atleast 10 years. You summed up the trail well and i didn't remember that much fireroad but overall it's a great ride.
It is isn't it? The ebike deffo takes out the sting of the fire road and climbs. So many little gems of descents 👌
@@streetpigeonmtb It's a bit like Penmachno, you have to ride it as it's not just a smooth wide open trail.
@stumo114 We were considering Penmachno, but the mixed reviews really put us off.
@@streetpigeonmtb The only downside to Penmachno (and again i hadn't been for over 10 years) is the amount of water on the trail but if you've got waterproofs on it's no biggie, i only had a waterproof jacket so got soaked but hey h., Aapart from that it's great, very narrow at times, makes you think etc with a great ending.
That trail looked great Jamie, as you said the ebike might have made the climbs a bit easier but still a great trail. Was that the Levo you were on, aslo was it the full fat or SL??
It was indeed. I was on the full fat, Clark on the SL. Great bike. Unbelievable range!
If you like this trail..check out nearby Penmachno loop...similar type of riding but way more remote and trails not as refined..as in lots of rocks and roots..plus its always wet on sections no matter what time of year
We were going go there but got put off by some of the videos from there. Will deffo check it out next time I'm down 👍
Good to see you riding somewhere different. I'm not a fan of that place however. It was a long time back I last rode it though. 2005 i think. On a HT 26" wheeled santa cruz. It felt like I was stuck in an optical illusion, lots of climbing for a short descent at the end 😅
Ha ha. We've all been there. I deffo think the ebike changes the nature of it. Have you ever ridden Newcastleton? I don't remember ever descending 😂
My legs still hate me from riding that trail and I rode it three years ago 😅
😂😂😂
Niiiiicccccccce!
Good times 🙌
Funny this video's just come up, I was here a few days ago for the first time in about 15 years. Barely recognised any of it, they've built so much since I was last here. Felt like a long tough ride even on a full fat ebike, I'd grade some of more on the black side of things.
Yeah, it's a solid route. Great variation though 👌
Years since I did this trail....but looked loads of fun...especially on the ebike...must re-visit again soon ...you may have just re-cycled ( no pun intended 🤣 ) a great trail 👍
Which car park did you start from ? the one near Llanwrst ??
Cheers mate. I'm not sure which car park buddy. I'm guessing it was the main one though as it had all the route maps and I recognised it from other videos there 👍
@streetpigeonmtb ok thanks for that about CP 👍 ..enjoy the rest of what Wales has to offer 🚵♂️
Did you not try Penmachno just round the corner from the Marin while you were in that area? Penmachno is a very good trail with very technical wild feeling sections. Similar in many respects to the Marin but less well known.
We had thought about it but ended up giving it a miss. One for next time I think 👍
Looks like a nice ride. Did you hire the e bikes or is that your bike? Thinking of shipping an e bike to Scotland
I'm afraid this was a bike that was lent to me. I'm still on the normal pedals. I'll try sort one out for myself if we manage to meet up 👍
A good ebike will liven up any trail and ultimately provide more enjoyment.
It did work really well on the trail, I can't deny it 👍
Bollocks.
Its a brilliant trail.
Its a bit of a slog but i like a good ride out.
Definitely 👍
I live 20mins from it and 20 mins from coedy both brill
What's this rumour about Coed y closing down? Is it true?
i just bought my emtb bike :D any ideas where can i find trails near me ? i live in leighton buzzard any recommendations?
Sorry buddy. Don't know that area at all... Can anyone on here help?
How do you find the Specialized Turbo Levo?
I've only ridden it twice but thought it was thoroughly enjoyable. The battery life is insane - you could get so far on it. The handling was pretty confidence inspiring. My only change off the bat would be the tyres. Everything else worked really well.
I rode this a few years back & thought it was great. There was a hike a bike section (unless you are Danny Mac or similar) there then, a series of rocky steps going up - is that still there? I saw one guy do it without dabbing on CZcams once.
That is still there. I was a bit worried the edit was getting too long so I cut that out. It's still super savage!
@@streetpigeonmtbnot ridden here for a while, but always loved it... We are planning a trip to Wales soon and be great to visit on our ebikes now, making all trails a little more fun 😂
@user-oi4pr8vv7h well, I can deffo recommend this for an ebike loop. Those descents are wild. You can loop the last trails easily as well. They are the best ones so it makes sense 👍
Gwad-ear Mau-er....would be near enough :)
Great vid and great trail, love the final descent...then pop over to Penmachno!
Thank you. I was trying to Google the pronunciation but couldn't find it on the day. Penmachno was on the list but the mixed feedback had put us off. Maybe next time 👍
I rode it years ago, and it felt like 3 or 4hrs of climbing, was expecting a big descent to car park and we pedaled up to the car park!!!😂
I swore I'd never ride it again!
Any way it looks like it has altered since then and I'd definitely ride it again if I'm in the area looking at that 👍
Ha ha. That reminds me of Kirroughtree in Scotland. I bonked about half way round and made an escape route 😂
@@streetpigeonmtb ha funny you should say that, I did kirroughtree last year on way up to my mates in Aberfeldy, was very disappointed really, no nice flowing parts just tight and nadgery, was itching for a berm or two! 🤣
@user-on5hp4jt7h yeah. It's not my favourite. Would like to give it a blast on an eeb mind 😂
@@streetpigeonmtb haha I was on mine! 🤣
@user-on5hp4jt7h 😂
No, didnt need the ebike to bring it back to life, it never died, amazing place
Amazing place indeed 👍
Its always been brilliant. Short followed by the long loop is great, if you park in Betws its a nice ride up the car park for a warm up and then you can have fish and chips to finish. Juat like so many other trail centres that people bitch and moan about - you get out what you put in.
ETA - you did a great job of acpturing the singletrack but also to note is that there is some EPIC long distance views when your out the back end on the big climb - makes it all worth the effort too.
@sholehan yeah. Wish I'd put the drone up actually.
😁👌
Where abouts is this??
It's here: g.co/kgs/w5t5Jhe
@@streetpigeonmtb sweet thanks have heard of this trail few times looks good cheers 👍
@mikey.yellow.wheels293 no bother 👍
Did it ever die?
I wouldn't say died, but there is no doubt that some of our original UK trail centres have gone a bit out of fashion. Hopefully people continue to show them some love because they still offer some great riding 👍
@@streetpigeonmtb probably the best trail in north Wales, those last 3 descents are *chefs kiss*
@flukenukem3091 I thought some of those descents were superb. I love how the route ends on such a high. It's so fast!
Love the Marin trail....and yes definitely better on the ebike 😁 where else you riding in the UK
I mostly ride in Scotland but will be hitting Bike Park Wales this year for sure 👌
@@streetpigeonmtb yeah I know I watch all your vids 😁🤣 just interesting seeing you riding other stuff 👍
@shannonmtb Have you got any recommendations?
@@streetpigeonmtb If you've now got an ebike to your collection then plenty of epic rides out around the lake District
@shannonmtb cheers mate. I'm afraid that was just a lend of a bike. Still pure pedal power here 👍
Are you waiting for the new Bird E bike ?
I am... But it's a good while away 😕
@@streetpigeonmtb not heard anything from bird, how the ethos is going?
@jamesroberts7906 the original project is no longer on unfortunately. Hoping to get an update on the next project soon 🙏
who new James Hetfield was a mountain biker
😂
Penmachno isnt half bad on an eeb either
I bet 👍
I'm struggling to understand the relevance of the ebike improving the trail aside from not having to put the effort in on the climbs?
I think that's it TBF. It dampens out the memory of the fire road sections and climbs so the lasting memory is of much more descent. It also makes some of the climbs quite fun. I don't own an eeb so maybe this would be the effect on any trail centre... Saying that, I rode an eeb on the red at Glentress and actually thought it made the trail worse.
I hear it's much betta on a Ebike . But mibbi it's coz some ov us are jst owd fellas lol
😂
The Marin is okay… the off pistes better!
We rode a couple the day after. They were quite spicy!
E-bikes suck balls. You should be asking 'Does a 26" hardtail bring this trail to life?' Please don't take the channel down the fitness simulator route. It's great as it is.
Honestly, I think ebike was fun. They Will definitely feature on the channel from time to time 👍
Can people stop with the E bikes, it bad for the planet, bad for the trails and makes for cop-out ‘mountain bikers’
I don't think ebikes will go away buddy. They are here to stay 👍