Strata Florida

[iswoolley]

Right now the daddy of all byways, Strata Florida, is passable by big trail bike. So go now and ride it while you can!

It's only because of the incredibly dry weather we've had this summer that the fords are low, i.e. knee height at deepest, and the currents weak. The puddles are also quite short, maybe 10 metres or so. Otherwise it's got a good rock base and provided you've got reasonably knobblie tyres on, none of the steps and climbs should be show-stoppers. It's not a panniers and pillion type trail though (unless you are a riding god!), and I'd suggest taking a mate just in case you go scuba diving.

Map is here, start at the Abbey and head off to the south west (red dotted route).

[Mudwiz]

Tried it in April, very wet! We made it OK to the 3rd? wet bit, and riding with a fully standard TA discretion was the better part of valour! Found the Cearwen? resovoir byway to be extremely fab, long beautiful with only 1 ford (the bridge wasn't locked!). I think any bike could do this one.

Caerwen ? ford, about 4 inches deep

The main track, good quality, with odd bumpy sections where it has been repaired!

Map - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...7975&st=4&ar=Y of the start anyway!

[Carport]

Oh yes!!!

First time I rode it was on a mates TS185 in November after a wet summer

After SF we did The Monks Trod over to Rhayader. It has got to be the biggest bog in Wales when you've had a wet year. Took us over 2 1/2 hours to travel about 10 miles. I was lucky being on a small and light bike, one of the guys on an XR500 went in one particulary wet bit up to the handlebars

The killer is not knowing where the wet bits are until it's to late, the land just looks the same.

[iswoolley]

...we did The Monks Trod over to Rhayader...

I was lucky enough to ride the Trod once before it was TRO-ed (which as far as I know it still is, many years later) on an XT600E. Made it through more by luck than skill or judgement.

[iswoolley]

...Found the Cearwen? resovoir byway to be extremely fab...

Claerwen.

If you're in the area you can hookup Strata Florida, the Claerwen resevoir, and this byway outside Rhayader (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...8590&st=4&ar=Y) for some excellent off-tarmac miles.

[Carport]

...we did The Monks Trod over to Rhayader...

I was lucky enough to ride the Trod once before it was TRO-ed (which as far as I know it still is, many years later) on an XT600E. Made it through more by luck than skill or judgement.

I did it three times, TS185, early DR350(the ones which wouldn't start if the day ended in a 'y') and a KDX200.

The KDX was the dogs, the DR was the most unsuitable bike ever for the trod, too heavy and impossible to start once you went for a lay down.

[boboneleg]

I crossed the Trod on my DR350 in '96 although I did have to retreat to E.T James after to buy a new clutch perch after hitting the side of the ditch on the last bit of bog-hopping........

[steveR]

Oh yes!!!

First time I rode it was on a mates TS185 in November after a wet summer

After SF we did The Monks Trod over to Rhayader. It has got to be the biggest bog in Wales when you've had a wet year. Took us over 2 1/2 hours to travel about 10 miles. I was lucky being on a small and light bike, one of the guys on an XR500 went in one particulary wet bit up to the handlebars

The killer is not knowing where the wet bits are until it's to late, the land just looks the same.

Snap, my first trailie far too many years ago, was a TS185 twin shocker, probably as accomplished a machine as the then ubiquitous DT175.

The Trod/Strat Florida hac was usually the highpoint of the Rhayader runs, though there were several very challenging and exciting routes in the area. As you say, the problem was in identifying the wet bits.... I have "fond" recollections of 3 of us pulling an XR600 out of a bog, bloody thing!