MTB'ing in surrey..
Discussion
Go to Peaslake any weekend and just follow where other riders are going. There are loads of great trails but it's not way marked and navigation in the woods is tricky. There are other good trails to the east of Leith Hill tower, have a look on Strava to get an idea of where the popular trails are. If you go at a weekend there will be loads of riders around to point you in the right direction.
Eta - I have a Whyte 629, some of the more trail focused hardtails (901?) are well reviewed, also Bird, Trek Stache and Canyon are worth a look.
Eta - I have a Whyte 629, some of the more trail focused hardtails (901?) are well reviewed, also Bird, Trek Stache and Canyon are worth a look.
Edited by duff on Monday 27th April 10:30
If you fancy an introduction, just shout. I try to get out with a couple of mates after work on Friday evenings, followed by a pint.
Last Friday's ride is here. This takes in a number of the better known trails in the Surrey Hills - Barry Knows Best, Supernova, the Yoghurt Pots and various parts of Reservoir Dogs and Telegraph Row.
There is some outstanding riding up there! Worth bearing in mind is that Leith Hill is owned by the National Trust, so with the exception of Summer Lightning (custom build MTB trail), you pretty much have to keep to the bridleways.
Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill and Winterfold Wood, on the other hand, all comes under the Hurtwood Estate, across which the Lord of the Manor of Shere granted "freedom to walk and ride" back in 1926. This has been extended to mountain bikes, so there are a lot more trails, and whilst you're asked not to make new trails, within reason you can ride anywhere that you see tyre tracks!
Last Friday's ride is here. This takes in a number of the better known trails in the Surrey Hills - Barry Knows Best, Supernova, the Yoghurt Pots and various parts of Reservoir Dogs and Telegraph Row.
There is some outstanding riding up there! Worth bearing in mind is that Leith Hill is owned by the National Trust, so with the exception of Summer Lightning (custom build MTB trail), you pretty much have to keep to the bridleways.
Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill and Winterfold Wood, on the other hand, all comes under the Hurtwood Estate, across which the Lord of the Manor of Shere granted "freedom to walk and ride" back in 1926. This has been extended to mountain bikes, so there are a lot more trails, and whilst you're asked not to make new trails, within reason you can ride anywhere that you see tyre tracks!
Strava's heatmap is a great way of scoping out where local riders ride. Great for roadies, even more so for MTB if you're new to an area.
As an example, here's a cracking little set of trails in a wood near me that I wouldn't have found any other way.
As an example, here's a cracking little set of trails in a wood near me that I wouldn't have found any other way.
loudlashadjuster said:
Strava's heatmap is a great way of scoping out where local riders ride. Great for roadies, even more so for MTB if you're new to an area.
As an example, here's a cracking little set of trails in a wood near me that I wouldn't have found any other way.
Thanks for that, that's brilliant, never knew about it and been using Strava for a while!!As an example, here's a cracking little set of trails in a wood near me that I wouldn't have found any other way.
joema said:
Pitch Hill, Holmbury has the best trails, but Barry Knows best etc adds in some distance. I just spend my time on Pitch Hill area. Although they are quite DH and jump focussed now, all good fun though.
I'd agree with that from what I've seen. As a rough rule of thumb, it goes XC ---> Downhill as you go Leith Hill ---> Holmbury Hill ---> Pitch Hill ---> Winterfold. That's not to say there's not stuff for everyone on all of them, as I'm certainly no DHer!Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff