Jesus christ this is scary! Afan Valley bike shed has just posted this picture of a shredded jacket and the barbed wire trap that caused it.

Photos: Afan Valley Bike Shed Facebook 

On a well used trail in the Ton Pentre area (10 miles east of Afan), Ben Threlfall was caught unawares by the trap and, frankly, was lucky to survive. He hit the barbed wire so hard it snapped and he was taken off the bike. You can see where the wire has wrapped around his neck, this jacket could well have just saved his life.

Ben believes he was going around 30kmh when he hit the trap. Just imagine if that was a child, we could be reporting a very different story this morning. Nails were also found stuck in the ground in the same area. Thankfully the information has been passed on to the police so hopefully whoever is responsible can be stopped.

A spokeswoman for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council told Wales Online: “The council is concerned to hear about this issue and the threat it presents to mountain bikers, dog walkers and horse-riders. It thanks the rider for bringing this to the attention of the community. 

“All public paths, bridleways and trails in Rhondda Cynon Taf are checked and maintained on a regular basis, as part of the Council’s work to ensure people can enjoy open spaces and public rights of way safely.”

Is it just us or do these incidents seem to be getting more common? Only last week we reported on this horrific pit of spikes in Delamere. Is it getting to the point where we’ll have to walk trails before we ride them? Either way, please do be careful when you’re out riding.

Full Statement

“A warning to anyone riding back country in the Welsh Valleys!

“I was riding on Saturday in the Ton Pentre area, down a trail I’ve ridden many times, and was almost beheaded by barbed wire strung up across the trail between two trees.

“Thank god I’m a big bloke as it cut across my chest and shoulders before sliding up to my neck. Seriously thought I was a goner as had to unwrap the wire from round my throat.

“Completely trashed my jacket but thankfully just scrapes and one small puncture on my arm. I have no idea what the complete twat who put the wire there was thinking but had it been a shorter rider, they might well have killed someone.

“This was an area of trail where you clearly ride at speed. What could they possibly hope to achieve through this action? I’ll be passing the attached photos and this information to the Police. 

Ride safely out there.”