Hey there,

I’m trucking down to the deep South for some RWC action in a couple of weeks and I was looking for recommendations for a bit biking when I’m down.

I’ve got a couple of days stay in Brighton, Bath and Cardiff (plus London at the start) and was thinking about the South Downs, the Mendips and the Brecon Beacons.

Does anyone have any suggestions for rides about 3 hours long with not too much technical (I will be on my own) plus good views and stuff?

Cheers.

Try and link up with some locals and get shown the good stuff in each location?

for Brighton you could post on

https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightonmtb/

or the forum

http://www.southdownshosting.co.uk/forum//

There’s probably similar local groups at the other locations.

Brighton to Eastbourne on the SDW has nice views and you could get the train back if you don’t want to do out and back.

Cheers for the Brighton tips. Any more Western options out there?

Get in touch with the guys at http://www.southdownsmtb.co.uk/

They have rides all over the area (regular Wendesday and Friday meeting points and a variable meet point on Sundays)

A fine bunch of pals they are too, and very welcoming.

Cheers Rob. May very well do so. There on Monday and Tuesday during my week in the wilds of civilisation.

if weather is ok get over to Friston Forest train from Brighton to Berwick then nice spin to Friston Forest – some great trails out there. Nice write up in Singletrack issue 97.

Or just head up to Stamner Park via Southdowns or ride up through Brighton, and go exploring lots of tight singletrack winding through the woods.

If you’re in Brighton and just looking for 3hr ride not too techy then the South Downs Way should be ideal, as suggested Brighton to Eastbourne is a good route but check the prevailing winds as the SDW is quite open and the wind can make it a slog if you’re against it, so Brighton to Eastbourne and train back or get the train to Eastbourne and ride back to Brighton depending on the wind 🙂 … and the forecast is good this weekend and most of the week

Just a little bit west of the BBs (Cilycwm, Llandovery)you could ride the Mynydd Mallaen loop which imo is one of the best ‘out there’ loops in Wales.

For the Mendips Bad Ass bikes at the bottom of burrington combe is a friendly shop and can point you in the right direction for the trails directly across the road (and up the hill!) Plenty of forest bridleways and gnarly downhill runs to explore.

Cheers for the Welsh and Mendip Hills tips. Just wondering, is Afan Agoed worth visiting (thinking of the lonesome not getting lost factor)?

I’d go to Brechfa rather than Afan – much nicer and still with trees.

http://www.breconbeacons.org/mountain-biking-routes is worth a look but as you are in Cardiff I would look at some of the stuff in the Black Mountains as it is a bit closer. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/brecon-beacons-black-mountains-routes
There is a route south of Abergavenny on the Blorenge which is easily accessible by road or rail, seem to remember it has been in the mag as well! Can’t remember which edition but think it is this year.
M+D bikes in Aber are great and very friendly so they might be worth a ring.

popular MTB route in Bath

http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTYyNDc=

start end at the pub in Bathford instead of the Dolphin 😉

Oo. Cheers fellas. Biking route in Bath!