Decent MTB routes. South coast, New Forest-ish?
Discussion
Havent been out on the bike in a few weeks, want to get into it again now the weather's turning and you can go out and get nice and muddy.
There's a few routes I used to do a lot in the summer, in the new forest heading alongside the A31 and into the forest a bit. Mainly quite wide gravel tracks.
Anyone got any other routes around this area (live in Romsey, willing to travel a little though)??
I fancy hitting some narrow muddy tracks through the woods but dunno where to find this sort of riding, if there is much around here. Google maps links etc to give me an idea of where to explore would be massively appreciated.
There's a few routes I used to do a lot in the summer, in the new forest heading alongside the A31 and into the forest a bit. Mainly quite wide gravel tracks.
Anyone got any other routes around this area (live in Romsey, willing to travel a little though)??
I fancy hitting some narrow muddy tracks through the woods but dunno where to find this sort of riding, if there is much around here. Google maps links etc to give me an idea of where to explore would be massively appreciated.
I used to drive to Queen Elizabeth Country Park up the A3 for my muddy tree lined single track.
I never found anything good in the forest! Just those wide open family gravel tracks.
So I'm with you, if anyone has any good routes, please share.
The only semi decent track was the south downs way which is always good fun.
I never found anything good in the forest! Just those wide open family gravel tracks.
So I'm with you, if anyone has any good routes, please share.
The only semi decent track was the south downs way which is always good fun.
james239 said:
Cool, I'll check out QE
5 miles sounds good lol, did 11 miles today in the new forest and killed means I haven't been out in a while. Don't think it helped that I was deliberately tying to get as muddy as possible though, clogged the brakes a bit but great fun.
Guess its all relative, if I go out that way (only 20 minute drive) I like to get a few miles in and a bit of time in the saddle, otherwise may as just cycle my usual route from home. 5 miles sounds good lol, did 11 miles today in the new forest and killed means I haven't been out in a while. Don't think it helped that I was deliberately tying to get as muddy as possible though, clogged the brakes a bit but great fun.
Nearest singletrack to you would be Lordswood at Southampton. Bit about it in latest MBR mag. None of the trails are marked but not too difficult to find although best to get somebody to show you round. One really good downhill one parallel with motorway. Travel further up the M3 to Swinley Forest at Bracknell and loads there. Parking at The Lookout is free and plenty of people there on Sundays to point you in the right direction (you do need to buy a day permit though but only a quid or so) and the trails are good. Or there is some new single track at Moors Valley near Ringwood.
The best in dorset is the purbecs. The big problem with the New Forest is it drains very poorly. The decent and very hard to come by single track turns into a quagmire (giggity) at this time of year and doesnt dry untill late in the year, the New forest is fine for fire trail but that is really boring.
The purbecs is well drained but has a large amount of cyclists which mean that certain access points are boggy as hell but pass these and you are in some great singletrack and nearly every terrain you could encounter. The problem is that there is a lot of track that is known by the locals and not published so it is best to hook up with someone who knows the area and learn the basic loops then go exploring. The joy of the purbecs is it is nearly impossible to get lost, you can always see the coast. We have had magazine riders who were blown away by the quality of the riding we have here. I have only seen 2 routes published by MBR, one is pretty rubbish but has brief sections of the May Trail (not good in winter and the other route is basically sticking to the tops of the hills and isnt very singletracky (new word?).
These guys do "organised" rides (and is my local shop) staffed by ex and current racers and ex team mecanics (couldnt be in better hands)
http://www.ridebike.co.uk/
http://www.mtbpro.co.uk/da/99133
Other local shops who do organised rides
http://www.primera-sports.com/contact/poole.aspx
..There are others... What is the shop on the barclays roundabout in poole?
That will get you out on any night of the week (more or less)
..or we go out on a sunday morning and you are welcome to join us!
The purbecs is well drained but has a large amount of cyclists which mean that certain access points are boggy as hell but pass these and you are in some great singletrack and nearly every terrain you could encounter. The problem is that there is a lot of track that is known by the locals and not published so it is best to hook up with someone who knows the area and learn the basic loops then go exploring. The joy of the purbecs is it is nearly impossible to get lost, you can always see the coast. We have had magazine riders who were blown away by the quality of the riding we have here. I have only seen 2 routes published by MBR, one is pretty rubbish but has brief sections of the May Trail (not good in winter and the other route is basically sticking to the tops of the hills and isnt very singletracky (new word?).
These guys do "organised" rides (and is my local shop) staffed by ex and current racers and ex team mecanics (couldnt be in better hands)
http://www.ridebike.co.uk/
http://www.mtbpro.co.uk/da/99133
Other local shops who do organised rides
http://www.primera-sports.com/contact/poole.aspx
..There are others... What is the shop on the barclays roundabout in poole?
That will get you out on any night of the week (more or less)
..or we go out on a sunday morning and you are welcome to join us!
Fun in the purbecs and new forest!
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=15321360...
Fun in the mud! (Purbecs)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=31961337...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=15321360...
Fun in the mud! (Purbecs)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=31961337...
Hi James
If you're into night riding then we have two weekly rides, a faster one on a Tuesday night and an easier one on a Thursday night, both are leaving from the Fareham area and on the Thursday nights we get as many as 14 people out (half of those are on single speeds)
The rides are normally 2-3 hours depending on punctures and waiting for the odd person..
There are loads of routes that we do and a variety of terrain as well as the location make for a great ride.
If you want any more info just shout.
If you're into night riding then we have two weekly rides, a faster one on a Tuesday night and an easier one on a Thursday night, both are leaving from the Fareham area and on the Thursday nights we get as many as 14 people out (half of those are on single speeds)
The rides are normally 2-3 hours depending on punctures and waiting for the odd person..
There are loads of routes that we do and a variety of terrain as well as the location make for a great ride.
If you want any more info just shout.
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