I was slightly daunted by the temp (9.5ºC), the fact that it seemed to be drizzling just about everywhere - though almost dry in Cwmcarn itself - and that the tops of the hills were in the mist! Oh - and that I was the only person there and the signal on my phone was non-existent!!
After the first 1/2 mile or so, all worries about the temp disappeared as I stripped off my outer layers. Certainly is a long climb from the car park.
I thought I'd got lost on the way back down as I'd somehow expected to be coming back down the same valley as the climb up. Not so. You do actually cross into & return most of the way down the neighbouring valley.
Knowing that my time was slightly limited, I was probably a little reckless on some of the descents, with the inevitable result that I got flung over the handlebars at one point. Not sure why - I guess the darkness of the trail under the trees, plus tree roots, plus speed all contributed. No damage to bike fortunately, though my elbow took a hell of bashing (Arnica is wonderful stuff on bruises!).
Some of the sections are scary in that the trail itself is at the same angle as the hillside, meaning a sideslide could take you a long way downhill
Other sections are simply vertiginous (no, I don't like heights!).During the last couple of miles, the rain started, demanding rather more concentration. As this was also the vertiginous part of the trail, I was trying hard not to look down into the valley far below, whilst trying not to slide around too much on the increasingly slippery & muddy track.
All in all, a fantastic ride which took me 1hr 40 mins.
