Formed in 2017, the Afan Trail Volunteers group, with support from the now-closed Cognation group, has taken the responsibility of helping to maintain the mountain bike trails in the Afan Valley. We work closely with Natural Resource Wales and the South Wales MTB Ranger to ensure safety and work carried out is to a high standard.
The group currently consists of several supervisors, all of which are trained to take volunteers out on dig days and to train volunteers on trail maintenance advice. The ATV group strive to build more trails in the Afan Valley and have been working closely with local businesses to improve and better the trail network in the Afan Valley area.
WHO WE ARE
Laith Madlom
How long have you been riding? Since 2010
Your Background? I Work as an A&E doctor in South Wales, originally from Yorkshire
Your Favourite trail? What used to be called the Marin trail in Snowdonia
What do you ride? Bird Aeris AM9
Why do you love mountain biking? What I love about mountain biking is that it gets you out into nature and it's such an all round sport.
Why do you volunteer? I'm passionate about building and maintaining trails because it gives something back to the community and give some TLC to the trails I love riding. I also have a moral obligation to look after these trails as I bring my wife to them and if she crashes I will be to blame!
Craig Fawkes
How long have you been riding? I have been riding MTB's since 1989/90 with a few gaps in between!
Your Background? More XC than downhill - have grown up riding fireroads and tracks within Afan and Margam.
Your Favourite trail? Always tough to pick a favourite, Penhydd in Afan and going further, possibly Innerleithen.
What do you ride? Currently, riding a rather old 26" full sus and a XC 27.5 hardtail.
Why do you love mountain biking? I think everyone enjoys the speed, but (strangely) I enjoy the challenge of a tough climb, getting away from the beaten track and the craic of a good day mtb'ing with mates.
Why do you volunteer? Growing up locally, I spent a lot of time walking and cycling in the forest and i've seen the trails grow and develop. I really care about the environment and I value the trails, both for riding and for the benefits that they bring to my community. I want to be able to give something back.
Jason Arthur
How long have you been riding? Stopped riding whilst I concentrated on playing rugby but got back into it after a break in 2008.
Your Background? Dad, husband, foodie, beer drinker and passionate about riding.
Your Favourite trail? Still searching for that perfect trail but at Afan, Windy Point.
What do you ride? Currently mixed between a rigid Surly, Cotic hardtail and an Evil full sus.
Why do you love mountain biking? Everything. Solo night riding. Wet, cold winter rides followed by a pint and a packet of crisps in front of a pub fire. The views. Exploring new places and meeting like-minded people. The fact it allows you to get away from it all or clears your mind to allow you time to focus on specific details. But, most of all I love the feeling when you hit a piece of trail just right and everything clicks.
Why do you volunteer? For me it is giving something back, I found mountain biking again at a real low point in my life and if what we do as the Afan Trail Supervisors/Volunteers can offer that freedom or release to at least one person, that makes everything worth while.
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Peter Bowen
How long have you been riding? 30 years (man & boy!)
Your background? Retired steelworker, family man, dog lover, snowboard instructor, Chapel owner, Kayaker/Paddleboarder, Welsh Rugby fanatic.
Favourite trail? Masts
What do you ride? Spesh Levo/Yeti SB150
What do you love about mountain biking? The freedom, the scenery, the craic and the friends mate through biking.
Why are you passionate about maintaining and building trails? Giving something back, learning what makes a good trail and the sense of fraternity among the trail-building community.
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Emma Hawkins
How long have you been riding? About 9yrs? I don't know it's all a blur.
Your background? I mix it up between student recruitment for Swansea University, working at the Afan Valley Bike Shed, MTB guiding and trying to launch a new women's MTB festival.
Favourite trail? Depends on the day; if I'm after a quick fun fix then you can't beat Blue Scar with a sprinkling of Penhydd. Mostly I mix 'n' match trail sections and off-piste. Other times a long gravel ride is where it's at. The beauty of the Afan Valley is that we have so much riding variety and potential.
What do you ride? Whyte T-130 CR, Whyte Friston and Whyte G-160s.
What do you love about mountain biking? I could talk about this all day. The people I meet and the places it's taken me. Riding the same trail every day for a week and it being different each time. Constantly re-evaluating your skills. Seeing and sparking joy in others. Watching the seasons change and feeling at home in the mountains. The falls, the adrenalin, the 'oh shit' moments, the 'yeewwww' moments and the laughter. I could go on...
Why are you passionate about maintaining and building trails? These trails give me so much and I see what they give to others. Our enthusiastic, welcoming and knowledgeable dig community helps keep them safe, fun to ride and extends the ride offering for locals and visitors. I see paying my dirt as a duty and a privilege.
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James Petty
How long you've been riding? Riding since I was 12, then I found rugby and beer, returned to ride when I was 27 after a few years off.
Your background? Steelworker, hiking, biking, swimming in the sea or river, good beer and friends.
Favourite trail? Six Feet under, or any of the Afan valleys off-piste.
What do you ride? Orange P7 and OnOne Botzipper
What do you love about mountain biking? Freedom, getting out into the woods, mountain biking and digging trails helped me at one the of my lowest points, being able to get out and exercise and get moving with similar personality's
Why are you passionate about maintaining and building trails? Giving something back, learning new skills, meetings new people
Jon Field
How long have you been riding? I have been Mountain Biking for over 20 years.
Your Background? I’ve always loved riding anything on two wheels, whether it has an engine or not. I’ve been lucky enough to have ridden Motocross, Trials and Road bikes. I decided to give Mountain biking a go and very quickly came to believe that this is my true passion.
Your Favourite trail? Haven’t really got a favourite trail as I ride them depending on how they’d roll, given the weather conditions. My most memorable is ‘Black Powder’ in Antur Stiniog, North Wales for the dramatic scenery, physical technicality and the sheer ‘Grin Factor’.
What do you ride? Orange Alpine 160 Factory
Why do you love mountain biking? I love Mountain Biking for the physicality it demands, the freedom to roam around the countryside in peace and quiet and the social side of the sport. Basically, everyone is ‘Amazingly Friendly’.
Why do you volunteer? My passion for maintaining trails began years ago when I would stop on a ride and clear a blocked culvert or dewater a puddle with my shoe or a fallen branch. When the group asked for volunteers, I jumped at the opportunity as I always believe in ‘Paying Back’ for anything you do.
Ben Threlfall
How long have you been riding? Been riding since 1989 (aged 12) and racing from 1993.
Your Background? Originally a plumbing and heating engineer in Portsmouth. Spent 5 summers in the Alps riding Megavalanche races and downhilling. Wanted a healthier life for kids, so I did MBL/TCL course to be an MTB guide and moved to Wales. Started a shop in a layby down the road selling tyres out the van, then heard the hire shop was up for tender, moved to the carpark then won the tender, and I never looked back.
Your Favourite trail? Rollercoaster in Finale Ligure Italy.
What do you ride? Transition Sentinel and Smuggler and Marin Gestallt gravel bike.
Why do you love mountain biking? Exploring, taken me to places I'd bever have been. Given me my job/business, my friends are all through MTB.
Why do you volunteer? Sense of riding something new and being proud of something you've created that others can then enjoy too.
Ally Campbell
How long have you been riding? I think around 2003. Realised biking had got serious when I took my bike to Turkey, when I’d gone out to paddle!
Your Background? Paddler, traveller, MTB Coach owner of Campbell Coaching, Mum of a 5year old.
Your Favourite trail? Any that brings a smile to my face. Love the natural trails and riding new places (Madeira is now a favourite).
What do you ride? Juliana Roubion.
Why do you love mountain biking? Love getting outside, adrenaline it gives and riding with friends.
Why do you volunteer? Like to give something back.