Your letters and photos, including some welcoming Welshmen, a great day at Haldon Forest and more of your best riding snaps

A WELSH WELCOME

I’d like to give a massive shoutout and a huge thank you to the crew who ride the Crene Valley near Swansea. Thanks to their encouraging actions, I’ve recently felt like I’m part of the bigger mountain biking scene for the first time, aged 53.

Having got into mountain biking three years ago, I currently ride a budget full-suspension ‘acoustic’ bike. A few of the older fellas that got me into this great sport are now riding e-bikes and I can no longer keep up with them, so most of the rides I embark upon are solo.

I was on a family holiday and cycling along the seafront from Mumbles to Swansea when I took a brief detour from the route to ride the Crene Valley. “Just one red-graded trail,” I told myself. I followed along behind some nice chaps who showed me the last bit of the red climb, then on the way back down I was having a great time riding it blind. Suddenly, I saw a group of riders hanging around near the first of the jump sections and heard someone shout “Send it!” I don’t even ride that fast, let alone jump, and when I didn’t “send it” there was a big, disappointed sigh! It really is difficult to apologise and try to explain one’s limits and inadequacies while riding down a red trail!

A bit further on, I came across another group. I headed towards the first of a few jumps and heard someone shout “Send it!” once again. This time, I was going a bit faster, so I tried my best. I compressed, popped off the first lump and must have been just a few inches off the ground for literally milliseconds, but I still heard a massive cheer, which blew my mind and gave me a huge grin all the rest of the way down. It really made my day.

I couldn’t wait to catch up with my wife and daughter later and tell them about my experience.

So, to all that Welsh lot up there, diolch! Thank you for making an old man’s day. James Carter, via email

Thanks for sharing your tale, James! Stories like this are always heart-warming to read. We really want mountain biking to be as inclusive a scene as possible, regardless of experience, budget, age, gender, race or anything else. Everyone is there for the same reason – to have a fun time riding a bike – and we can make the experience even more enjoyable by encouraging and supporting each other whenever we can.

HALDON FOR THE WIN

Thank you for the recommendation of Haldon Forest in Devon, featured in your Trail Crew section a few months ago. I went on holiday near the area, so I thought I’d check it out. Me, my Dad and his girlfriend went to Haldon on 12 August and I can honestly say it was the best trail I’ve ever ridden! All the berms, rocks, tight turns, switchbacks and even the climbs were exhilarating to ride in the wind. I rode the Ridge Ride six-miler, which was simply awesome! And, to finish off one of the best mornings of my life, I had some food at the cafe, which was really nice and friendly. Unfortunately, the black loop on the Ridge Ride was closed, but that didn’t stop us having an amazing time. Thank you!

Ethan Austin (aged 11), via email

We’re happy to hear you had a great time Ethan, and are pleased to have helped you discover some fun trails. We hope the Trail Centre Guide included with this issue gives you tons of ideas for more places to try!