Manchester to Bristol to see a ‘Client’ as Stoner calls them 🙄
I was thinking of taking the bike with me and on the way back stopping off somewhere to ride. Thing is will I be absolutely knackered? Wheres best to stop off (near to motorway)- any suggestions? en-route?

**crosses fingers the M5 is shut that day**

oi! 🙄 Which trail is nearest the M5?

Whenever I visit my sister in Bristol I always take my bike and pop off to Cwm Carn.

If you are in Bristol, you wanna get on the M4 and it’s only about 10 mins once you get off the M4 to the trail centre, I think. Just remember to have change for the Severn bridge. I think it’s £3.50, but better double check.
My sis lives in SE Bristol and from there it’s only 50 mins to Cwm Carn.

On the way back you can use the A roads to join the M50 that will take you back to the M5. They are all dual carriageway so you shouldn’t be slowed down on them.

£3.50! When did you last go over the bridge?
It’s now £5.40

some very good riding just outside Bristol in an area called Knowle West Hora, its quite a dressy area tho, so you would need wear your best gear.

Ashton court in Bristol
CwmCarn just the other side of the bridge
Cotswolds
Malverns (probably a bit far off the motorway)
Cannock Chase

erm…I went on the 2nd Jan 09 and there was no way it was over £5. I was sure i had read it weas £7 so had a ton of change ready and then was suprised by how much less it was than I thought…maybe they had a Christmas Special on…?! 😉

Anyway, that’s why I said it was wise to double check…

Leigh woods is just opposite Ashton Court – you can ride in the forestry commission bit, the National Trust section is less keen on bikers.

CwmCarn looks spot on but by the end of the day I’ll be seeing stars/half crackers. Forest of Dean looks closer to the route there/back? Is there any waymarked trails or is it local knowledge?

I do this when I visit the office in Cardiff, Cwmcarn nightride followed by drive back to Brighton!

http://www.visitforestofdean.co.uk/outdoors/thedms.aspx?dms=13&feature=1&venue=1302378&easi=true

Any good?

http://www.visitforestofdean.co.uk/outdoors/thedms.aspx?dms=13&feature=1&venue=1302378&easi=true

Any good?

Not the last time I was there.

FODCA trails ok, but its closed at the moment for forestry work
Local knowledge needed for the rest of FOD

Cmwcarn it is.
NP11 7FA to Manchester = 177miles/3hr27m
Bristol to Manchester = 167miles/3hours1min
Bristol to NP11 7FA = 36miles/54mins
Hence only an extra 40miles 🙂

*sets up sniper positions on all motorway approaches to Bristolia*

Cotswolds

Move along, nothing to see here…

” by the end of the day I’ll be seeing stars/half crackers”

Good excuse for climbing up the forestry track rather than the singletrack!