The Mountain Bike Code
(Although you don't need a mountain bike to enjoy the Taff Trail the following is good advice)
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Ride in control at all times.
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This preserves you, other users and the environment.
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Respect the rights of others.
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Take pride in sharing the outdoors with people enjoying other forms of recreation.
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Be considerate towards walkers. A speeding bike can frighten walkers.
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Use a bell or call out to announce your presence. Give them right of way.
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Pass at no more than twice their walking speed.
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Always give way to horses. Horses are easily frightened by bikes. A spooked horse can endanger you and its rider.
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Announce your presence, stop and talk to the rider as the horse passes.
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Be alert for signs of horses on the track (hoof prints or droppings).
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Avoid skidding. Do not cut corners, stay on the track.
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Do not ride where cycling is not permitted or where public access is prohibited.
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Wash your bike tyres before riding in a different area. This will reduce the chance of spreading plant diseases.
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Avoid introducing road rage to the trails.
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Be an ambassador for your sport, tell other people about this code.
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Cycling Across the Valleys
and along the Taff Trail
The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose route between the Cardiff waterfront at Cardiff Bay in the South and the Market Town of Brecon in the North. 55 miles (88km) in length, it passes close to Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil and through a wide variety of urban and suburban landscapes of those towns and the open moorland of the Brecon Beacons. There are also many "green fingers" where the Taff Trail itself appears to bring the countryside into the town. The area is also rich in industrial archeology.
Most of the Taff Trail follows the same line as the southern part of the Sustrans National Cycle route number 8 which goes from Cardiff to Holyhead.
For historic reasons some parts of the Taff Trail follow a route which is not part of the National Cycleway Route 8 or there is more than one route running parallel. This applies just north of Cardiff where there is a high level route via Castell Coch and a low level route via Taffs Well.
A large proportion of the Taff Trail is designated "Traffic Free" which has been achieved by using the routes of former tramways, railways and canal towpaths including the original rights-of-way, embankments, cuttings and viaducts. Many of these routes have important historical significance to the industrial heritage of South Wales.
The Taff Trail is used by walkers and cyclists for trips of varying length throughout the year. Parts are also suitable for horseriders.
Cycling some of the route is very easy, and suitable for novices and family groups. There are parts, however which are remote and/or strenuous which should never be started without careful planning (fitness, equipment, route and weather).
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 With the Taff Trail running through Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon, our area is perfect for Cycling.
If you'd like to get your cycling group on Shape-it.org contact us on 01443 680680 or email us on info@shape-it.org
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