I'm off next weekend to Wales Saturday afternoon. We will only have 1 day (Sunday) to ride and we're going from Derby. What would be the best place to go that wouldn't mean driving too far?
Are you staying in North, South or Middle Wales? Loads of good routes and trail centres in the North bit, recently rode Penmachno which was fun and had a bit of a wilderness feel to it and wasn't too busy (but no trail centre cafe/ facilities ). Check out http://www.mbwales.com/
Yep, Coed-Y-Brenin gets my thumbs up. Rode there 3 times now, good mix of trails with a nice new visitors centre (check if it's open being out of season). Karrimor trail rocks, bent a GT I-Drive last time i rode that one. Well worth the driving time.
Never liked brenin myself, its all rock. If you like rocks great. Penmachno gets my vote its a very nice trail and a good length now loop 2 is tacked on.
Rode the trail at Betws-y-coed (spelling?) a few months back and was much impressed. I also ride Llandegla which is fun but the trail at Betsy was a lot more natural and the final decent is a cracker.