Looking for somewhere new
Looking to head up there in a few weeks to try it out but don't really want to be driving for more than 2 1/2 hours from Warwickshire for a day trip and it be a let down
Normally ride Cannock/Llandegla/Marin/Penmachno but fancy a change
Is it any good i.e. Worth driving past Llandegla/peak district for??
Ta
Depends what floats your boat.
No it's not worth driving past the peak district for IMHO
It's a small trail centre. It's quite good for a couple of hours' entertainment but it's not a day out.
... and by the time you've traversed the lanes from the M6, you could have been in the lakes!
A look on the OS map shows a place in the forest called Cocklick End. I'd be packing the car now if I were you, hospitality like that is hard to beat.
Nice little trail centre, went when it first opened and didnt go again til last week. Some quite techy rooty slippy bits to catch tyres and see you off in places. Has been improved a lot (much had washed away when it was first built i was told at the time). Good fun sections and alternate red/black routes for mixed abilities. Only one climb too really as far as i can remember.
But i'd second what above poster said, i wouldnt drive 5hrs for a 2 hour (if you went slowly) ride and there is probably better full days out in between Warwickshire and Gisburn. Do it as part of long weekend up North?
Personally, I don't think anywhere is worth driving more than 1 1/2 hrs to, for a days bike ride. Although, living in Yorkshire we're spoilt. Gisburn is good, but not worth what you're considering IMO.
I went the other week for the first time since the new trails were there. I really enjoyed it, but then it's not that far for me. It's a beautiful part of the world, and there are a few bridleways there so with a bit of imagination and exploring you can have a good full day out there. My memory of the bridleways is that they're more fun in the summer. The forest has good all weather trails though.
But that is a very long drive, not sure I'd ever want to drive that distance and back for a ride without a nightly stop over.
Time on bike must exceed time in car. Gisburn, while a very nice trail, takes about 2 to 3 hours. So if you live more than 60 minutes away (if you;re a whippet) to 90 minutes away (if you;re a "social" rider), I'd look for other choices.
Echo'ing other peoples comments, its a great place to have local'ish to me (sub 45 mins drive) but I wouldn't drive that kind of distance to do it. Close to other places - Dales, Lakes, Lee Quarry, Calderdale etc so would be worth including as a weekend trip. Staying at the D&P/Gisburn Bikes is on my list of stuff to do. Night ride there, beer and food, sleep, blast around the full red/black and then drive home.
no i can get there in a about 45 mins but it is nto worth it IMHO
Certainly not worth driving past the places you mention
Ditto, most other posts. Its not worth driving 2hrs+ just for an hour and half ride
Its good local blast. If you have a long drive you might as well make a w/e of it in the dales.
Oreet Mat, you could always come here for a Tour De Wigan (20 odd miles of wooded trails) 
you got me number.
I agree if you're just talking about Gisburn. But the forest of Bowland is a beautiful place and a ride round Gisburn and then to the Trough would be a good day out with a couple of nice cafe options. (although like I said, perhaps better tackled in the summer). But then I agree that it's too much driving for just a day, unless you prefer driving to riding... IMHO.
I liked it a lot. I did a skills course there with Ed-O and it seemed like it was worth a few laps and a play on some sections. The DH stuff was cool too and worth a few plays on. If it's too far for a day trip then the Dog and Partridge (might have been renamed now) is fantastic. The food is brilliant and it's very reasonable to spend the night there and tuck into the nice beer. You could stop the night and then do the other stuff on the way back down.
If I was to go I would probs do a couple of laps.
Could pick you up en Route Tony
Or as said, make a weekend of it.
Cheers
Went last Saturday early doors for the first time in about 18 months, did two laps of the red route inc the black bits. Worn down 3 teeth on the big ring doing "dragons teeth" should have been in the big ring TBH, school boy error.
Thought it was great, better than Llandegla and Kielder.
Took 2.15 to get round twice and this was none stop at a steady/good pace but not full gas.
Would go again but would leave it for a few weeks, tracks are fairly dry and seem to hold up well, would be mint as a night ride.
Travel time is only an hour to it as well. 
it needs to be 10 miles longer route for me to want to go back up there Matt, is there only gonna be you pal? or is Suggsy riding with ya?
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