Cycle routes near Camberley?

[davek_964]

Following on from the Look Out parking charge thread, somebody mentioned that there are plenty of less crowded places you can cycle for free. I've actually struggled to think of (off road) places I can take the mountain bike - so thought this was a good time to start a thread for suggestions.

I recently started cycling to work and use the canal - makes the route twice the distance, but is a good route. I've used Swinley Forest a couple of times, but I do resent paying to cycle and paying to park now.

Any good suggestions? Obviously closer is better, but I do have a cycle rack on the car so can travel a reasonable distance.

[MadDad]

There are quite a lot of trails and XC riding within 1/2 hour in the car from Camberley.

The Ridgeway from Goring to Avebury is a great day out. Get someone to drop you at Goring, then cycle the Ridgeway to Avebury, then there is a disused railway line that has been converted to a cycleway which runs into Chippenham, then catch the train back to Reading.

If you fancy something more sedate, national cycle route 4 runs out from Reading along the Kennet and Avon canal and is another really nice day out which is easy on the legs. I did 20 miles along there with the wife, 10 y/o daughter and 13 y/o son a week ago with a minimal amount of moaning from them.

There are tonnes of trails in the North Downs and Surrey Hills, and even more over the Chilterns.

Take a look at ridewithgps.com, or google for MTB trails in the South - there are tonnes of websites with details of local trails on them.

[dan425]

I was going to try out one of the Tunnel Hill runs across one of the MOD training areas between to Pirbright/Farnborough, having heard some good things, but the red range flag was up.

There's a group that ride the area regularly: http://www.tunnelhilltrolls.co.uk/the-rides.html (I'm not a member)

If you manage to get down there soon, let me know what it's like, otherwise I'll report back once I've been there.

[edc]

Mytchett/Frimley, Chobham.

[LC926]

Not sure what you are used to, but how about off the Maultway, just up from the American golf shop on the left is a car park. From there you can get across the motorway to either Lightwater country park or mod test track

[Kinky]

Or there's an interesting area directly behind Pennyhill Park and plenty of parking space there too

[Ozmira]

if you cycle to the end of kings ride you will have hours of fun.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en
or on the maultway just off the a30
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en

[Frimley111R]

Where are you? I am in Frimley and its only 2 miles to the edge of Swinley. I have a big loop (8 miles) that I do and I an start it from anywhere. With routes you really need either a very obvious one that people tell you about or you need someone to show you a route.

There's probably enough people in the area to form a little 'MTB Hoon' group(although preferably not falt out all the way!!)

[MX-5 Lazza]

I've been doing a lot of cycling over Bramshill Forest and Yateley Heath Wood. There are a lot of tracks in a massive area and very few people enjoying them - especially the Bramshill Forest side and there are loads of free parking areas all around there though it wouldn't take long to cycle there from Camberley.

[smcgsi16v]

Try Minley Forest and Hawley lake area.

In Minley Forest there is an 8 mile course they used in August.
http://www.gorrick.com/racing/enduro12/instruction...

I ride in both quite often as I only live the other side of the M3.

[omgus]

I would consider a MTB local hoon. Although chances are i would slow a few of you up i reckon it could be good fun.

Also a great excuse to get out on my bike which i just don't do enough conidering how much good riding there is within 2 minutes of my house.

[Frimley111R]

omgus said:

Although chances are i would slow a few of you up i reckon it could be good fun.

It'd be like a normal hoon then

[davek_964]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give some of them a try (once I get over my man flu!).

To answer an earlier post - I'm just off Frimley road, close to the railway bridge.

[edc]

Frimley111R said:

omgus said:

Although chances are i would slow a few of you up i reckon it could be good fun.

It'd be like a normal hoon then

I'd be up for it too, but I too would probably be lagging at the back!

[shimmey69]

Frimley111R said:

It'd be like a normal hoon then

[davek_964]

I should probably clarify that I am a total beginner to the whole MTB thing. I've only really started cycling about a month ago when my car was in for a service, and I decided to try cycling rather than using my other car. My old (not used for 10 years) bike was pretty knackered so I bought a new one - thinking I'd probably use it twice, hate it and never use it again....

But surprisingly, I enjoyed it - hence I now cycle to work most days and have been out a couple of times in Swinley Forest. Anything off road is good - but anything too complicated would probably kill me at this point!

[omgus]

shimmey69 said:

Frimley111R said:

It'd be like a normal hoon then

You two can both fk right off!

If we are going on normal hoon behaviour Jake would turn up on an old french peasants bike once and then never get out again. Whilst Ross would stop to relieve himself of fluids half way up a hill and not be back out until he had brought a new chain!

Gits.

[Dr Interceptor]

Afternoon folks.

I'm in Farnborough, and got back into cycling around six months ago, starting out with five mile routes, now enjoying 15-20 mile treks

There's a nice 9 mile route I use, starting where I live in the centre of town, heading West out of Farnborough past Inchcape Ford, down to the Frank Whittle roundabout, turn right past Southwood Golf Club, and follow this straight through Southwood. When you get down to the Nokia building, head straight on, then at the big roundabout straight on again (not turning right towards M3 4A).

About 1/2 a mile down there, turn right up a path, and follow it all out to the Basingstoke canal. You can then follow the canal round to the other side of the airfield, and work your way back through Farnborough.