Quad Biking holidays in Wales UK

For more information on quad biking holidays in Wales call activity Wales on 01437 766888 or email fran@activitywales.com

Mud, rivers, & some serious slopes - Big Brothe's first ever winner. Craig Phillips, is lured to the Welsh countryside for a spot of quad biking. You can be forgiven for thinking that a man who was launched from obscurity to total national fame in a few weeks would find anything else passé. Then again roaring through the stunning woodland of south Wales, encountering water filled gullies and 45 degree gradients is not your average activity either!

"Amazing and awesome", were just a few of the words uttered by Big Brother winner Craig Phillips as he rushed past. The more unprintable comments were lost in the exhaust noise as he disappeared into the mist.

Wales has become the leading destination in the UK for activity holidays, because of its natural resources, the vast open spaces, the lakes, the mountain ranges and long clean beaches. Whilst the rest of the UK was experiencing record levels of flood warnings and the South East was underwater, the sun was shining on Wales. We took Craig to Taff Valley Buggy Trails situated only 15 minutes off the M4 and 20 minutes from Cardiff. Craig was joined by a couple of the Activity Wales team, Simon his PA and Panos his security monster to explore 130 acres of angled fields, rivers, forestry and a little of the unknown!

We were warmly welcomed by Hopkin Smith the owner of Taff Valley Buggy Trails and his team and were all kitted out in boots, overalls and helmets. I must admit I felt I looked the part until I looked in the mirror and saw that I resembled a Power Ranger in combat gear. Mark, the photographer looked as though he was a main stream national press photographer about to be flown into the middle of a war zone. Panos on the other hand looked as though the combat gear was made for him. Once all the obvious jokes were over, we were directed outside where Hopkin took us through the do's and the whatever-you-do-donts and proceeded to give us all a little test before we got on the bikes. It was virgin territory for Craig and his entourage, but they were not going to disappoint.

As a motorised sport it is important that we all got the feel of the bikes and more importantly were in control of the brakes, the gears and how the bike handled. Taff Valley had set up a little obstacle course whereby all members of the party traverse as a group and then on an individual basis, so that the instructors can see who might need help in certain areas. It was clear to see that everyone had picked up on Hopkin's earlier instruction, and to be honest, they are quite easy to ride if you ride them as taught. Then the moment we had all been waiting for, a chance to explore this beautiful part of Wales and take on the circuit laid out by Taff Valley.

Quad biking is not just about speed, although at times you can build up a little pace. Manoeuvring the quad through mud, rivers, up what seems almost vertical slopes and then holding the bike back as you guide it back down, through ditches and steep cornering pathways is the object of the exercise, although at times survival seemed to be the most apt description! Each challenge is a little more difficult, but equally rewarding as you guide the bike clear.

Our first trek was through the farm and then out into the open fields where we were met with a wall of green. The Hill Climb! Again we were given excellent instruction of what to do and when. As Craig approached the top of the hill this was the first time we had seen the famous grin, as he knew he had accomplished the first task. Everyone had been so involved in listening to the instruction during the training period, that we had not had the chance to think about the sort of tasks that would lie ahead. Now we knew and it was going to be a great day. It is hard to describe the mixed feelings of achievement, excitement and adrenalin as you battle with your nerves and a determination to be Othe best¹, although there was a constant banter between our group.

The beauty of this sport is that although Craig, Simon and Panos had never done this before, after only 10 minutes of instruction, they were on top of the world, well the Welsh Valleys actually! We took the bikes for a long spin along the head of the valley before dropping down a pathway into a quad biker¹s paradise. Into the wooded area we ventured, where we were met by a long ditch, filled with water and a 90 degree turn after about 10 metres and then an uphill climb and out onto the field. The bikes were excellent as they were revved through the water, smoke from the exhausts set the atmosphere and the shouts and smiles summed up the mood. This was one area of the course that you just had to do twice and will be described with a little exaggeration in its entirety back at the pub with all your friends!

We stopped off at the local 17th century pub for a bite to eat, where you can ride the bikes off the field and into the car park. Whilst you must leave all weapons with the barman and flea ridden tramps are banned, they extended a very warm welcome to our very muddy group. It is here where all groups are greeted and corporate team building work is undertaken. We managed to catch our breath, clean the mud from our brows and ask Craig what he really thought.

"Although I've been to north Wales as a child, I've never been to this part of Wales before and it is truly a stunning place. The people have been really friendly and laid back, and the quad biking was excellent! I really did not know what to expect and it turned out to be a lot better than I ever imagined. Better than any rollercoaster and I will definitely be back again".

The day ended with a half an hour run and then back to the centre for a few photos and to start the laughter and chat that had been created from a great day out. Quad biking can be entertained not only as an activity while you are on holiday, but for corporate groups or team building exercises.

CRAIG PHILLIPS - AN UPDATED PROFILE

Craig captured the nations heart initially with his cheeky and cheerful manner and when, ten weeks later, the nation crowned him the £70,000 winner, he calmly gave it all away to Jo Harris to contribute towards an urgent life saving operation. What's more it only took 9 days for him to raise the additional £250,000 required!

Craig's new found fame had given him a number of new opportunities as the BBC spotted his DIY expertise and offered him the position of resident DIY expert on the Housecall series. After Trading up and Big Strong Boys he started his first solo project Boyz in the Wood which proved to be an
instant hit which went into further series.

Craig is still actively involved with charitable organisations and always relishes a new challenge. In 2002 he abseiled off one of London's tallest buildings, Zip lined 600 ft across an open quarry and took part in a tandem sky dive jump, all for charity. He has also run the London Marathon raising over £15,000 for the Down's Syndrome Association, and has plans to run the New York Marathon.

Words by Activity Wales, photographs by Mark Richards, Aurora