Where are the trails?

[iamAlegend]

Im new to Essex, just built a new (second hand) mtb but have no idea where to use it round here. Having moved from Yorkshire whose roads are much quieter, I'm a little redundant to biking around the lanes looking for trail/tracks and bridle ways. Please could I have some tips?

[General Madness]

A quick google brings up this page.

http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mtb-trails.php

[SixPotBelly]

Buy an Ordnance Survey map.

Or view online at https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/os-maps-onli...

And see where the byways and bridleways are.

[SteveSteveson]

Or use this site for bridleways:

http://www.bridlewaymap.com/

And this for byways:

http://www.bywaymap.com/

[anonymous-user]

www.streetmap.co.uk has a 1:25000 view so you can see the RUPPS, bridleways etc.

Alternatively, stalk a few riders on strava and see where they go?

[pembo]

Where are you in Essex?

Hadleigh has the MTB centre used in the Olympics. They have a pretty active club based there as well if you want to be shown around be people who know the place and meet new people. That would be my first point of call.

There is a trail in Danbury (East of Chelmsford) which seems to get quite busy, I've not been but could point it out on a map if you like.

If you are Romford way there is Hainault Forest Country Park, which has the Redbridge Cycling Centre.

I'm sure there are more but those are a few starters for you.

[iamAlegend]

Thanks guys, thats given me a good kick-start!
Just got myself an OS map of the area (I'm near Halstead BTW).
I was looking at Danbury which seems a bit 'uncharted' and also thinking of heading over to Dedham.
May visit Hadleigh when a friend comes down in a few weeks, bit far for now otherwise.

[tjdixon911]

Thetford Forest or Rendlesham (not been) are in the region.

I went to Danbury a few years ago, its good fun, not sure its somewhere to head if you want to get some miles in though.

Also check Mud Sweat and Gears and G8 Events if you want to enter some races in the area.

[iamAlegend]

I went up to Nottingham pines last week, was good but I got tired pretty quickly :P

I'll probably give Thetford High Lodge a go during the week, looks like there are some long trails and fire tracks to get some miles in!

[tjdixon911]

iamAlegend said:

I went up to Nottingham pines last week, was good but I got tired pretty quickly :P

I'll probably give Thetford High Lodge a go during the week, looks like there are some long trails and fire tracks to get some miles in!

Thetford has miles of trails, both marked and unmarked - it takes a few years to find your way round the unmarked stuff, I've been riding there for years and still haven't explored the whole area...

[iamAlegend]

I went to Thetford High Lodge yesterday, spent 4-5 hours exploring, there are some good trails round there, I definitely need to go back and look at some of the 'off piste' stuff, I found myself getting a bit bored after a while as the features are so few and far between :P

[stuarthat]

Sunday rides go from Heales cycles 9am sharp you must have a helmet ,Epping forest two groups .

[tjdixon911]

iamAlegend said:

I went to Thetford High Lodge yesterday, spent 4-5 hours exploring, there are some good trails round there, I definitely need to go back and look at some of the 'off piste' stuff, I found myself getting a bit bored after a while as the features are so few and far between :P

Did you go Brandon Country Park side? Across the road that runs along side the Beast? There are some nice runs across there, also Santon Downham side has some decent bits but I don't know that side too well!

Timber MTB often do some ride outs, although I have never been out with them it seems everyone is welcome http://www.timbermtb.org/website/

[iamAlegend]

stuarthat said:

Sunday rides go from Heales cycles 9am sharp you must have a helmet ,Epping forest two groups .

Thanks for the heads up, is this every week? It is quite a drive though, I live near Halsted :P

[stuarthat]

Every week ,it's,a bit far by the looks of things ,speak with your local bike shop.

[stuarthat]

Every week ,it's,a bit far by the looks of things ,speak with your local bike shop.

[vwsurfbum]

General Madness said:

A quick google brings up this page.

http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mtb-trails.php

This!

Come and join in, your not far from some of the best riding in essex, Danbury. Its not the terraqin your used to but its sure better than some of the other places around. Hadliegh is good fun if you are looking for a quick skills session in a loop, not for an all day ride.

[loudlashadjuster]

A good way to find new trails in an unfamiliar area is by having a scroll about Strava's global heatmap.

http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#12/0.63737/51.9389...