BEST TECH TRAILS

SLAB TRACK, DYFI BIKE PARK

There’s no denying the fearsome reputation of Dyfi Bike Park. Although its appeal has widened with the opening of two red tracks for intermediate riders, the original black downhill lines – which served as a training ground for the Athertons’ World Cup racing long before the park opened to the public – are still here. It’s the triple-black-diamond Slab Track that takes the honours as Dyfi’s most gnarly tech trail, though.

The top section is properly tough and provides little let-up, requiring full concentration and healthy doses of skill and commitment to conquer without crashing. It begins with several sizable rock drops that are best not to roll. In fact, rock is the standout trail feature here. Big, sharp and awkwardly-angled rocks punctuate the track, making it impossible to find a smooth line down.

Once you’ve got through the worst of this, the trail steepens significantly. Careful braking, balance and body position are needed to make it down safely. The track features several