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Tal-Y-Bont Classic (13.5 miles)
Starting at the carpark next to the Ysgethin inn turn right heading uphill for about 300 yrds take the right fork onto narrow pathand continue to a gate. Pass through gate and climb steadily through a woodland track at junction of tracks take the right turn downhill.
After about half a mile or so a track hooks left almost back on itself uphill, follow this singletrack to a gate entering onto a road turn right and follow to the right until reaching another gate entering onto a rough track. Pass through this gate, following the track winding between stone walls, steadily climbing all the way. Shortly after turning through a 90 degree left hand bend keep an eye out for a faint track cutting off to the right. Follow this to a small bridge called Pont Scethin. Cross the bridge and bear right. Follow the track laid with stones.
The track will bear left, still climbing until you reach a point at which a single track cuts right back on yourself climbing up the side of the mountain - be prepared, this is a really tough climb. Once over the summit pass through the gate and follow a wonderfully long rolling descent for approx 2-3 miles. atch out for the switch backs at the wall. Go through the gate and trun right to follow the wall down through some gates. When the field naroows, follow a walled track down to Banc y Fran. Go through the gate and keep a sharp lookout for a faint track that comes in from the right. If you get to the road you have gone too far. Take this and traverse the hillside through quite a few gates and across some streams. It will eventaully become a smooth gravel track. This track will emerge on a staggered T junction of tracks.
Turn right and after 100 yards you will see a single track winding its way up the mountain. Follow this to the saddle. Go through the gate at the saddle and descend on some technical single track. At the next gate the track becomes broader and continue across some large fields, to meet a wall above Avon Yscethyn. Follow the wall to the river, over the bridge. Climb for a couple of hundred yards and turn left onto the bridalway through the woods. Follow this track along the same route as you used to climb at the beginning of the ride, and back to the car park. If you havent got a silly grin on your face, sell your mountain bike and go and get a scooter.