The Gap (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park)

Lying in the saddle between Pen y Fan and Fan y Big, the Gap has long been a focal point for mountain biking in the Brecons.

Best ridden from south to north, the climb is straightforward and the descend down the other side exhilarating; rock steps at the top add spice, but it's technically not too demanding after them. It's an awful lot of fun. though. But at 600m, it can get pretty blowy if the weather's poor!

Start from the community center in Tal Y Bont and loop around from there. Great village stores with coffee and hot chocolate when you finish and brilliant bike wash and hot showers for £1 at the community centre. More places need facilities like this!

I did this on a full Suspension bike and think it was more than doable on a hardtail.