Epping Forest - disappointing

[markoc]

Having been an Essex resident for 3 years now I finally pulled my finger out and got across to Epping for a ride. Weather was spot on, trails dry as a bone - but I was distinctly underwhelmed. For an area that attracts so many MTB'ers I couldn't believe how badly signposted/waymarked the larger trails were.

Spent half my day shooting off down singletrack that looked promising, but petered out into nothing and ultimately getting completely lost and turning back round. Now I know it isn't a trailcentre, and the routes are shared, but I couldn't help thinking they could do a whole lot better. I guess the singletrack is an experience thing, and a bit more exploring will help.

Must be worth doing again as it was in contention for the olympics - so I'm guessing I didn't see the best bits.

Anyone been recently?

[stuarthat]

that right no sighns, it does take ages to learn the trails, or you could meet and ride with other mtbrs sundays mornings ,or weds eves and night rides anything from 10 to 25+ miles not going over the same ground.

[Jimbo.]

...or up/down a hill...

[stuarthat]

very fast downhill and lungbusting uphill if you want ,or single track plenty of river crossings and logs to hops,depends who wants to lead the group ,you must have a sense of humour.and helmet.

[Beardy10]

I grew up near Epping Forest and spent an awful lot of time in it as a kid. I think it's great when I get a chance to go back but they are doing a p1ss poor job (in my opinion) of making it somewhere great to visit and for people to enjoy...as you say signposts are non exsistant. The only "facilties" are at High Beach which are shocking and haven't changed for thirty years. I am sure it's probably something to do with the way the forest is protected and kept for the people dating back to Victorian times that limits what they can do but when you look at Aston Hill in Bucks for MTB'ers and the nearby Wendover Woods for visitors it shows what can be done.

[stuarthat]

mtbrs are frowned upon in epping by horse riders ,and walkers do their best laying logs accross the trails.

[markoc]

stuarthat said:

mtbrs are frowned upon in epping by horse riders ,and walkers do their best laying logs accross the trails.

Tbh I was a bit worried about flying round a corner and meeting a bloody great horse, so I tried to keep it a bit under wraps unless I could see fully ahead. No worries slowing to a stop for them, as if a horse goes bonkers, I'm always going to lose. All the horseists I met were very pleasant, and a couple were fit as you like.

As for the walkers - I did see a serious number of logs/branches pulled across the tracks. Most were quite obvious and I could hop them - but others were downright dangerous. Makes you wonder if they really think it through...