Where are all the trail centres?

[Chris71]

Prompted by the Gwydyr thread.

I always think of purpose built trail centres as being just Coed Y Brenin, Afan and Cwmcarn, maybe with Glentress and Fort Bill thrown in for good measure, but I'm aware that several others have sprung up. Where are they all?

Anything in the south east?

I've heard rumours of a fairly substantial North Shore section near me somewhere on the edge of London, but haven't found any evidence.

[ewenm]

www.mbwales.com for the Welsh ones.

I'd look for Forestry Commission sites for the others, like Grizedale and Whinlatter in the Lakes.

[MTY4000]

North Shore - you might be thinking of (in Surrey):

http://www.eshershore.com/

[Chris71]

MTY4000 said:

North Shore - you might be thinking of (in Surrey):

http://www.eshershore.com/

No - I've seen Esher Shore before - although it does appear to have grown.

There's one very close to me (northern edge of London, M25 sort of area) which is just gaining official recognition I believe. Not sure how official it is just yet though.

Part of the reason for the question was that a colleague has just returned from Colby Forest near York, where there's a couple of dedicated trails I'd never even heard about. I was wondering how many other lesser-known venues there were alongside the usual CyB, Glentress etc.

[littleandy0410]

Thetford Forest is not too far from you, (67 miles according to google) and has a few dedicated MTB routes. The red route and Black route are great, and the Red route is expanding all the time. This month's MBR has an article on it. Page 16 I think.

I like it, anyway, and as I don't have much choice locally either, it keeps me busy until I can get to Wales!

[R1 GTR]

You mention Glentress, which is part of the 7Stanes. The clue is in the name, there are 7 centres in the group all around the Scottish borders:
Glentress/Innerleithen
Dalbeatie
Glentrool
Ae
Mabie Forrest
Kirroughtree
Newcastleton (my local)

I've only ridden Newcastleton and Glentress, but they should all be good.

Edit: Was up Glentress last night, good crack.

Edited by R1 GTR on Wednesday 16th July 20:07

[Chris71]

littleandy0410 said:

Thetford Forest is not too far from you, (67 miles according to google) and has a few dedicated MTB routes. The red route and Black route are great, and the Red route is expanding all the time. This month's MBR has an article on it. Page 16 I think.

I like it, anyway, and as I don't have much choice locally either, it keeps me busy until I can get to Wales!

Hmm, I'll have to check that one out. Heard about it before and not got round to it, but now I've got back into riding a bit more locally I'd be more inclined to give it a go.

[prand]

Swinley Forest (The lookout), near Bracknell is good.

[tjdixon911]

Chris71 said:

littleandy0410 said:

Thetford Forest is not too far from you, (67 miles according to google) and has a few dedicated MTB routes. The red route and Black route are great, and the Red route is expanding all the time. This month's MBR has an article on it. Page 16 I think.

I like it, anyway, and as I don't have much choice locally either, it keeps me busy until I can get to Wales!

Hmm, I'll have to check that one out. Heard about it before and not got round to it, but now I've got back into riding a bit more locally I'd be more inclined to give it a go.

I go up Thetford quite regularly, I think its a pretty good area (and pretty much on the door step!) Latley we have been avoiding the Marked routes and finding our own there are loads of decent trials unmarked, the only problem is finding them from one week to the next!

It was suggested before that a few PHers where going to go up there but nothing ever came of it!

[Chris71]

tjdixon911 said:

It was suggested before that a few PHers where going to go up there but nothing ever came of it!

I'd be up for that. I warn you I'm mahoosively unfit, so probably wouldn't exact speed your progress, but happy to come along.

Also been talking about arranging an Epping Forest ride. Not 'built' trails there far as I'm aware, but supposed to be worth a look.

[tjdixon911]

Chris71 said:

tjdixon911 said:

It was suggested before that a few PHers where going to go up there but nothing ever came of it!

I'd be up for that. I warn you I'm mahoosively unfit, so probably wouldn't exact speed your progress, but happy to come along.

Sounds like you'll fit in fine!

Hoping to make it up there this weekend (Prob Sat Afternoon) but will be a last minute decision.....

Chris71 said:

Also been talking about arranging an Epping Forest ride. Not 'built' trails there far as I'm aware, but supposed to be worth a look.

Have looked into Epping also but it seemed to be fire roads.... Never ventured down there to know any different....

There are also some places around the Woodbridge area (Nr Ipswich), but again never ventured there.

[Chris71]

Can't do this weekend or next I'm afraid, but free thereafter...

There is supposed to be some good singeltrack in Epping, but apparently the problem is it gets very boggy at the slightest hint of rain. Partially as a result of this they don't waymark the trails - the forestry commission are very much aware of the mountain biking, but they don't want to concentrate into a small, waterlogged area. I think there are some marked fire road trails, but I get the impression they're aimed more at families than serious MTBers. That's only hearsay from t'internet though, not yet been for a look.

[a11y_m]

As well as the 7stanes in Scotland, there's also trails at Drumlanrig Castle and they're bloody brilliant. XC-orientated but very technical is a rooty-is-fun natural type way. Some of my favorite trails are in there - it's about 20mins off the M74 around J12/13 IIRC (but the castle is signposted).

The SSUK08 (single-speed UK champs) took place there, what a laugh.

[a11y_m]

R1 GTR said:

You mention Glentress, which is part of the 7Stanes. The clue is in the name, there are 7 centres in the group all around the Scottish borders:
Glentress/Innerleithen
Dalbeatie
Glentrool
Ae
Mabie Forrest
Kirroughtree
Newcastleton (my local)

I've only ridden Newcastleton and Glentress, but they should all be good.

Edit: Was up Glentress last night, good crack.

Edited by R1 GTR on Wednesday 16th July 20:07

Newcastleton is the only one I haven't ridden - just seems to be not a lot of trails but a long distance from me. Is it worth the trip down sometime? I really rate Innerleithen XC, Dalbeattie and Kirroughtree, as great at Glentress is I think these others are even more fun.

[R1 GTR]

a11y_m said:

R1 GTR said:

You mention Glentress, which is part of the 7Stanes. The clue is in the name, there are 7 centres in the group all around the Scottish borders:
Glentress/Innerleithen
Dalbeatie
Glentrool
Ae
Mabie Forrest
Kirroughtree
Newcastleton (my local)

I've only ridden Newcastleton and Glentress, but they should all be good.

Edit: Was up Glentress last night, good crack.

Edited by R1 GTR on Wednesday 16th July 20:07

Newcastleton is the only one I haven't ridden - just seems to be not a lot of trails but a long distance from me. Is it worth the trip down sometime? I really rate Innerleithen XC, Dalbeattie and Kirroughtree, as great at Glentress is I think these others are even more fun.

You're right there's not much there, and the cafe is never open . The estimated time for the red trail is 1-2hrs, but even I can crack it in half that. The blue Caddons route is nice especially with the new singletrack. I wouldn't make a special effort to spend a day there, you'd be done in 2-3hrs, but if you're in the area, it's fine for a quick blast. Only reason I go is because I'm only 10 miles away.

[vwsurfbum]

did 20 miles in thetford on sunday morning, there is a few new bits of north shore in the redesigned red route? but not anything that may challange anyone over intermediate level of riding. (red or black)
Epping,i have tried a few times to find anything of any intrest there but we just follow single tracks here and there and its just goes to the edges of the forest and you end up on roads and think for such a large hilly area there must be somethig better?
for my suggestion get down the A12 to chelmsford and head towards danbury (do a youtube search) and have a little fun. no northshore but plenty of bombholes and dirt jumps to keep you busy.
best place recently i have been is chicksands something for everyone there! i think its www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk or beds fat trax, google it, its worth the drive!

[vwsurfbum]

http://www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk/

[B52er]

Definately give Chicksands a go..... plenty of northshore, some easy, some hard.... IMO one of the best places to build your skills. I started riding there last year having never even seen a bike park and now hitting road gaps etc!!! They've also got a rad 2X track, a 4X track, a couple of downhill runs, dirt jumps and some XC trails....... About half hour or so up the A1

[Chris71]

Chicksands sounds interesting - I have been known to play on the local bike park when there's no one looking, but I'm more looking for kind of 'aggresive XC' trail riding, is that well supported there too?

Also, used to live in Chelmsford and kept meaning to ride Danbury. I'd heard it was mostly freeride stuff and a load of it got closed off recently? Second hand news, so possible not that accurate though...

[B52er]

The XC 'red route' at chicksands would probably be right up your street. i haven't ridden it personally but i see guys going round it all padded up etc so i'm guessing it'll be fairly aggressive. You would definately enjoy the 2X, no big doubles or anything but nice bermed corners etc. prob worth a trip just to check it out really....