Weekend Mountain Biking - Routes?
Discussion
Me and a friend fancy having a couple of days out to go for a couple of decent mountain bike rides, but I'm struggling to find any routes. Most of them are guided tours.
I'm looking for something in the South of England, as near to Wiltshire as possible, and something with probably medium difficulty - more towards the gravel track with a few inclines kind of thing than an out and out mountain biking challenge.
Any suggestions?
I'm looking for something in the South of England, as near to Wiltshire as possible, and something with probably medium difficulty - more towards the gravel track with a few inclines kind of thing than an out and out mountain biking challenge.
Any suggestions?
daddy cool said:
I'm planning on doing the full Ridgeway this summer - why don't you look into that?
Funnily enough, as soon as I posted, I went off looking at that. Hadn't even occurred! I think that's what we'll be doing. Enough for a weekend, around 100 miles all in, including getting to/from the start/finish.Thanks for the other suggestions as well chaps - I'll certainly come back to those if the Ridgeway idea doesn't pan out!
Let us know what you end up doing. Im still undecided about whether to do in one (long) day or split it up into 2, and bring a lightweight tent and basic kit on the bike and wildcamp for a night.
I believe there are frequent water taps along the way (according to a pal who has walked it)
I believe there are frequent water taps along the way (according to a pal who has walked it)
AndyDRZ said:
Swinley (near Bracknell) is not all that far away and is good for all experience levels from first timer to fairly advanced.
Trouble is, its barely a 2 hour trail, let alone a 2 day one (unless you want to go off piste a bit, and/or repeat yourself).However, thats reminds me, we must organise another PH meet there soon.
cailean said:
South Downs Way....a bit more than a few inclines though 
Yeah, like 10000 feet in about 95 miles! Did it in a day (well 13.5 hours) a few years ago, not one to be taken on lightly.I think you can use the heatmap function on Strave to see where people ride most often, can't you?
tuffer said:
Salisbury Plain, anything from 10km to 100km and either stay on gravel tracks or as much mud as you like, even a small downhill area if you fancy breaking your neck. Let me know if you wants some tips on local routes or happy to show you around.
As Tuffer says - it's on your door step! It's kept me entertained for the past 6 years with rides of 30 - 80km typically (and climbing fo 200m to 1,000m per ride). Never crowded (lucky to see more than a couple of riders). Weekends are best as the range flags are normally down on the Larkhill side (the ranges are closed on the Warminster side pretty well all year although you can circumnavigate the range on the Imber byway).Single-track is available in Erlestoke woods (venue for the SPAM Erlestoke 12 in May)if that is your thing and I'm sure Tuffer could point you at something similar in the Larkhill/Tidworth area.
Alternatively, the tracks in the Forest of Dean also are not too far away and will give you a good few hours depending on the choice and number of circuits you want to do.
caiss4 said:
tuffer said:
Salisbury Plain, anything from 10km to 100km and either stay on gravel tracks or as much mud as you like, even a small downhill area if you fancy breaking your neck. Let me know if you wants some tips on local routes or happy to show you around.
As Tuffer says - it's on your door step! It's kept me entertained for the past 6 years with rides of 30 - 80km typically (and climbing fo 200m to 1,000m per ride). Never crowded (lucky to see more than a couple of riders). Weekends are best as the range flags are normally down on the Larkhill side (the ranges are closed on the Warminster side pretty well all year although you can circumnavigate the range on the Imber byway).Single-track is available in Erlestoke woods (venue for the SPAM Erlestoke 12 in May)if that is your thing and I'm sure Tuffer could point you at something similar in the Larkhill/Tidworth area.
Alternatively, the tracks in the Forest of Dean also are not too far away and will give you a good few hours depending on the choice and number of circuits you want to do.
tuffer said:
Hi Clive, can you circumnavigate all of the Warminster area on byeway's or just the Northern side? I have been trying to plan a route to do the entire Plain but run out of tracks at Warminster and have to drop into the Wyle Valley then rejoin near Chitterne. Also, what is the single track like in Erlestoke, easy to find?
Chris, yes you can go get all the way round on the byway. When you drop in to Warminster camp (comimg from Westbury) you turn left at the church and then right before the hill towards Imber. The byway is definitely off-road from there - grass, ruts and mud - so is passable in Summer but can be b****y difficult the rest of the year depending on amounts of rain. Best thing is to look at the OS map and you'll see the Imber byway marked from Warmisnter camp towards Chitterne via (near) Heytesbury (there's one bit where the concrete motorway becomes just too tempting - so few Land Wardens now if you're there at a weekend...).Erlestoke woods can be accessed from half way up Pear Tree Hill ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.278257,-2.040908... )or from Erlestoke ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.284046,-2.050898... or from this junction here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.280738,-2.065942...
And finally I'll add the link to the SPAM Erlestoke 12 in case others may be interested ( I have no commercial interest but will probably be a volunteer marshall on the event) http://www.xcracer.com/raceentry/viewevent.php?eve...
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