Ever fancied exploring what the Afan Valley has to offer on two wheels? After getting back into mountain biking after her children grew up Jane Clemence found Mountains and Memories and has now joined several of their group rides. Jane’s written us a guest blog post to share her experience with you…
I’ve always loved cycling and had mountain biked a little when my children were small. More recently my husband and I tended to do more touring and long distance road trips. This was about to change, the children had grown up and I started looking at mountain bikes and in December 2016 I bought myself a hardtail mountain bike.
I had a couple of rides at the Forest of Dean but didn’t really know where else to go or any real mountain bike techniques. Whilst on Facebook one evening a group for ladies enjoying mountain biking caught my eye so I decided to message Sarah and I asked about rides that were suitable for a novice. Sarah contacted me and within 24 hours I was encouraged to join my first guided ride.
The scenery was stunning, the setting was wonderful and the weather was kind. Sarah instilled an amazing confidence in my limited ability and she had so much knowledge of the local area. Three fun filled hours later I felt like an Olympic medalist after climbing and negotiating my way on fire roads and trails at Afan Argoed. I have returned for numerous rides since and have never failed to enjoy it even when the wind/rain/snow and hail came, Sarah tailored the rides to be sheltered but still great fun.
I have recommended the rides to many friends and look forward to my next adventures with Mountains and Memories.
Mountains and Memories provides friendly guided rides for women of all abilities in and around the stunning Afan Valley, South Wales.
Mountains and Memories guide Sarah is local to the area, a qualified British Cycling mountain bike level 2 guide and holds a valid outdoor level 3 first aid certificate.
Guided rides are carefully planned, pre-ridden and assessed to meet rider needs and skills. Each group is run with a maximum of 8 riders of similar abilities. Mountains and Memories offer a range of packages from half day to full day and even hen do’s with a difference!
Email: mountainsandmemories@gmail.com
Website: www.mountainsandmemories.co.uk
Facebook: mountainsandmemories
Instagram: mountainsandmemories
Full day rides
Up to 6 hours of riding
£45 per person based on a minimum of 3 people, lunch included
Half day rides
Up to 4 hours of riding
£30 per person based on a minimum of 2 riders
Family ride
2 hours of riding suitable for all the family
£40 for a family
Children’s activity rides (Guides, Scouts, schools, etc.)
3 hours of riding
£25 per child based on a minimum of 5 children, supervising adult rides free
Georide (geocaching by bike!)
5 hours of riding and geocaching
£45 per person based on a minimum of 3 people, lunch included
Hen do’s with a difference!
Up to 4 hours of riding
£45 per person based on a minimum of 4 people
A ride, photo shoot with your besties on bikes and afternoon lunch with bubbles
all prices correct at time of publication, April 2018
Have you got a story to share?
Attended a skills course and want to let others about the new skills you learnt? Entered a race and want to shout how well you and all the other ladies did? Taken part in an MTB event, holiday, social ride and think others would enjoy reading about your experience too? Maybe you’re organising an event and want to publicise it to more female riders or maybe you just want to share all the benefits mountain biking brings to you.
We’re looking for guest bloggers to write interesting stories for our website. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or a seasoned rider, if you’ve got something you’d like to share that may help promote and encourage more women into mountain biking we want to hear from you. Any blog chosen to be published on our website and we’ll send you a voucher for future use at Flow MTB, find our more here.