Wales isn't just a funny little place on the edge of England with rain, sheep and strange names, oh no. Hiding away in those hills is some of the best riding you'll find anywhere on this planet. It was in those steep, unforgiving mountains that the Athertons and many other top British World Cup racers honed their skills. So when Adrian "Bud" Bradley (who is also the fastest man in the UK with a bus pass) sent through these snaps of the new DH centre they're building up at Blaenau-Ffestiniog (pronounced Bly-now Fest-in-i-og, sort of...) we got quite excited.
Bud explains it all better than we can:
Right guys and girls, quick post up here to keep you informed of the latest news and developments of the new and exciting downhill and freeride trails being built here at Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales.
It will boast two black DH runs and two freeride trails with more doubles, tabletops and berms than you can shake a stick at! All built by track building legend Phil Saxena and local firm Xtreme Trails. Add to this a fantastic minibus uplift service (which will be approximately seven minutes from the bottom to the top of the trails), two pump tracks, a jump site, a visitors centre with a cafe and showers. Sounds to good to be true, right?
Work will be completed on all facilities in early July and the trails should open even sooner! With Coed-y-Brenin, the Marin trail and Penmachno all within 15-20 minutes from Blaenau-Ffestiniog, and Llandegla 45 minutes, it will be a fantastic base for your riding - be it DH, enduro or XC.
To keep informed of progress on the trails, add
Antur Stiniog to your friends list on Facebook and look out for news of a big event planned there for later on this year.
Cheers, Bud
only live about 30 min drive from it so well happy for this place to be opening 
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