Courtesy of NSMB.com | Shot by – Cam McRae
The Demo started out life rather crudely – as a 50lb steel prototype that hangs to this day on the wall at Specialized headquarters. (more…)

Words by Mike Wallace. Photos by Jordan Manley unless noted. Date: 2010-06-28

After spending two solid days riding the new V10 Carbon at the Whistler bike park I can say that it is no longer a niche bike.  It is still a nice bike – actually nicer than ever – but it is no longer a niche bike.   (more…)

The video of our recent trip to Afan in Wales. This is the long version (37 mins) for us riders. It contains 90% of the downhill/trial sections of “Y Wall” and “White’s Level”. Probably pretty boring for non riders. Worth a skip through though. Next time we need trail side camera men for the 3rd person shots!

Here is a redux of the Afan “Wall” descent. I have speeded it up in quite a few obvious places and not in others. Takes about 6 minutes in this video!

From:

Afan Valley MTB

The guys have been working flat out on the 4x course, helped by the recent perfect weather. Conditions have been quite dry underfoot and the sun has been shining! It dosen’t very often so you’ve got to make the most of it. Construction on is schedule! (hope i ain’t jinxed it now!!)

The course is really taking shape and the features are starting to stand out. The rock section and the Corkscrew look pretty awsome!

Pictures below and more on our Facebook page.

More soon, as it takes shape.

Steve

Afan MTB Trip June ’09 from Antony Bailey on Vimeo.

Ant & Mike of TamedEarth.com on our first trip to the MTB centres in the South Wales Afan Forest Park.

Two trails – “The Wall” and “Whites Level”. We only filmed the down as each had a greulling 500 meter plus climb at the beginning.

The camera batteries ran out only a third of the way down on day two at White’s… a real shame!

Next time.

The Wall Trail is a swooping 24km (14.9 miles) mainly singletrack loop with epic views of the valley and coastline opening out at different points, and in places the steep-sided slopes can feel very exposed.
The breathtaking descents keep your heart pumping all the way round. Watch out for The Graveyard section and hang on for the searingly fast final descent!

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Overall Grade: Red/Difficult
Distance: 24km
Time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Climb: 450m

The Wall can be started from Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre in Afan Forest Park which is part of Afan Forest Park. Cynonville and Neath are the nearest towns or villages.

Situated on the A4107 – follow the road from the M4, Junction 40 for about 6 miles. Look out for the signs for Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre.

‘The Wall’ Trail Map
‘The Wall’ Trail – pdf