North Wales Mountain Bike Guide By Pete Bursnall
Published by Ernest Press 1995
This is one of the many guides to Mountain biking produced by the Ernest Press and covers 26 rides in North Wales.This area is not the easiest terrain as the hills are steep and bridleways fairly scarce.The book is illustrated with rough sketch maps.black and white photos and some cartoons. The book is a good introduction to the area, with the necessary OS map, and is a lively read. However it does seem dated and the cover picture of a rigid flat bar bike gives the game away. It certainly does not give adequate coverage of the excellent rides in the Clwydians, Berwyns and Coed y Brenin, which is not even mentioned when it is widely acknowledged as the finest off road centre in Wales, possibly Britain.The book costs £7.50 and is need of an update.
Star Rating: ***
Great Cycle routes Wales and the Borders By Jeremy Evans
Published by Crowood Press 1996
This is a good guide to 26 routes all over Wales.The sketch maps are of a good standard and a fact panel tells you all you need to know. Points of interest are included and there is a lively personal feel to the writing. Many of the routes contain a fair amount of road work which is used to link up good bits of off-road. The author has missed some good off road sections on some routes but in general you wiil not go far wrong with this guide and the routes are all enjoyable.
Star Rating: ****
MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDE: Mid-Wales and the Marches By Jon Dixon
Published by Ernest Press 1998
This is a corker of a guide, up to date and hand illustrated in the style of Wainwright with very good pictorial maps. The author is clearly in love with mountain biking and this shows in the enthusiastic writing. It contains 25 well chosen rides of various lengths, reasonable black and white photos and tons of useful and interesting historical,geological and even biological info. Don`t underestimate the physical nature of these rides as they are nearly all off road on challenging terrain. A gude book that will inform and delight and will be well thumbed.
Star Rating: *****
Ordance Survey Tours 24 one day routes in North Wales and the Marches by Nick Cotton
Published 1997 RRP £9.99
To be fair this guide contains only 10 off road routes but the routes are of the highest quality and are accompanied by proper OS map extracts with highlighted route and very comprehensive route descriptions. The writing is rather dull and uninspiring but factually correct.You won`t get lost using this guide.It is also possible to shorten many of the rides into smaller chunks.It also contains some nice colour photos. A good on the day guide but not a book for inspiring you to get out and ride.
Star Rating: ***
WALES - Ride your Bike Series Haynes Books By Steve Thomas
Published 1996 RRP £9.99
This is a small spiral bound guide to 19 rides all over Wales and is one of a series of covering diiferent parts of the country.The author is Steve Thomas a well known contributor to the major montain bike mags.
The book contains a locator map, introduction to Wales, TIC centres, bike and hire places and some sensible, if rather basic advice on mountain biking. The nineteen rides are well chosen and vary in length and difficulty. Each route is illustrated with good colour photos and a small proper OS highlighted map and clear instructions. Route 3 is I think one of the best family rides in Britain (Mawddach estuary). The Coed y Brenin section needs an update, but it is nice to see the Taff loop included. Their Berwyn rides deserve a wider popularity. In summary a very good guide that will fit in your bumbag and be useful for planning away days.
Star Rating: ****
Last Updated 08-02-2001
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