[Closed] Ashton Court! Brizzole

there was ALOT of riders out tonight was doing some teaching to a fellow rider on the bikefest camping fields.

Having ridden there tonight, I now feel qualified to comment.

What a superb little route! The trail surface is very flat at the moment, and generally represents all I detest about trail centres, but it'll weather in. It compensates by having smashing little features all the way round, all the time.

I think they've done a superb job. New riders can ride it and chicken-run the features, and more experienced riders can rag the crap out of it. We did an exploratory circuit and a half (the half being a bit of a tootle), but by the time we finished the loop, we were grinning like idiots and completely mashed.

I do reflect on the former trails with a little sadness, but theres so much natural stuff in the woods, I think the new trail is complimentary to those.

Thumbs up from me. Just ride it at full whack.

AC was immensely busy tonight, it was insane! The car park was full! Lots of people out, but not many on the trails, I just seemed to see them hanging around at the entry to each section.

The best thing about these new AC bits? LW is practically deserted. The LW trails are so dry and flowy at the moment, they bring an even bigger smile to my face than anything in AC can. I just keep getting lost over there!!!

I was there tonight, first time I've been since everything's been open. Maybe you saw me if you were one of the many, many other riders up there tonight; I was the overweight and overbiked guy on a Specialized SX Trail, looking like I may suffer cardiac arrest any time...

Anyway, I loved it. The guy I was with was riding my HT (hence my use of the silly bike) because he's totally new and doesn't have his own bike yet. He'd ridden off road twice in his life before tonight and came away grinning like a fool. Mission accomplished there!

I think the trails will get better as they wear in a bit, and with the amount of traffic up there at the moment, that shouldn't take too long.

I just seemed to see them hanging around at the entry to each section.

Thats only the riders that are having a rest so if you think about it there must be heaps more riding in a different part of the trail or resting in a different part of the trail. Theres lots of people up there these days with more to come no doubt!

I go up every morning on the way to work, i saw one rider this morning!

I only manage to get up during the daytime and if I'm really unlucky I get to see one other rider. 😀
Virtually the whole trail to myself.

Suprisingly it's also completely empty in the morning from around 5:30 to 7am though I do occassionally hear someone clattering down the red rocky section at around 6:30 🙂

I do occassionally hear someone clattering down the red rocky section at around 6:30

Might be me!

Could be 🙂 I've definitely seen someone a couple of times who looks like they're on their commute - IIRC I did speak to someone at the start of the red section a few weeks ago to say that it was open.

The best thing about these new AC bits? LW is practically deserted.

Could be I've definitely seen someone a couple of times who looks like they're on their commute

Say hello if you see me, i'm on a red superlight. 🙂

And isn't that just brilliant - instead of churning up LW/50 acre/etc, people will tend to gravitate to the new trails when wet which can actually take it.

Ah, no, the bloke was on a hardtail but I'll keep an eye out for you now

Auuw, I sense a bromance developing..

Their eyes met over the smooth flowy singletrack at dawn!

How about a photo of our bikes? So we know what to look out for?

I'm usually up Ashton Court on a weekend morning on this..
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/6008195242_2e743e59fb.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/6008195242_2e743e59fb.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkiekula/6008195242/ ]My Mountain Bike[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/milkiekula/ ]MilkieKula[/url], on Flickr

Shout out "Milkie" and I will look around and scowl at you 😉

I am early morning lurker also. You will recognise me as over dressed & over biked (Nicolai & 'soft' body armour) 🙂

In my defense I usually do AC with my mate from 6 ish to 7 ish then I head either to Leigh Woods for the steep stuff or Still for the jumps for the 2nd hour, before heading off to work

Trying to get the HT back up and running as I reckon the AC stuff will be great on a HT

You'd know if you met KINGTUT. You'd just know.

The riding in Leigh Woods last night was just [i]sublime[/i] - lovely fast singletrack at the witching hour, dropping back down to the river & then on to the Nova for ales... lush! Hello to the rider on the Orange Prestige - I forgot to return the 'nice old steel bike' compliment.

Only downer was the trail saboteur who had resorted to breaking live saplings in an effort to block the trails - hopefully our paths will cross soon. 😈

The riding in Leigh Woods last night was just sublime - lovely fast singletrack at the witching hour, dropping back down to the river & then on to the Nova for ales... lush! Hello to the rider on the Orange Prestige - I forgot to return the 'nice old steel bike' compliment.

Only downer was the trail saboteur who had resorted to breaking live saplings in an effort to block the trails - hopefully our paths will cross soon.

Were you on a Bontrager?

Still for the jumps for the 2nd hour

So has stuff started to be rebuilt at Still?

No. Still is still closed. Everythign was flattened. It'll be back some time in the next decade ...

Were you on a Bontrager?

I'm [i]always[/i] on a Bontrager. Except when I'm at work. Or asleep. 😀

I was the girl with the guy on the Orange Clockwork 8)

I'm assuming it's him you are talking about anyway 😆

And I was at the back with them!

the guy on the Orange Clockwork

Ah, it was a Clockwork - it's been a while since I've seen one of those glorious paintjobs...

Nice meeting y'all (twice!) - Brizzle riding at its best. 😀

And you! Hi cplater1! *waves*

heya! *wave back* Still a bit achey from that ride, so much fun!

Glad you enjoyed it. Will probably do the same next week.

I'm up for that cos can't make monday due to work.

Only downer was the trail saboteur who had resorted to breaking live saplings in an effort to block the trails - hopefully our paths will cross soon.

We came across a VERY angry dog walker last night who was insistent that the trails we were on "weren't cycle paths". I'm sure the point that they weren't dog walking paths either and wouldn't have been there were it not for riders would have been lost on him, so I didn't argue.

He struck me as a potential for one of LW's stickmen.

I wouldn't like to walk a dog down Picnic Bench, that's for sure!!!

We came across a VERY angry dog walker last night who was insistent that the trails we were on "weren't cycle paths". I'm sure the point that they weren't dog walking paths either and wouldn't have been there were it not for riders would have been lost on him, so I didn't argue.

I'm afraid this is likely to increase as the dog walkers will also want to enjoy it's all weather surface.

I wouldn't like to walk a dog down Picnic Bench, that's for sure!!!

My dogs followed me down there many times!

I wouldn't like to walk a dog down Picnic Bench, that's for sure!!!

I've walked it, done a cart wheel down it, slid down it, minced down it, I don't bother trying to ride it anymore..

I keep saying 'Still Woods' but sounds like that is not the correct name.

Whatever the woods near Failand are called?

Ashton Hill/Plantation

My dogs followed me down there many times!

Mine too, he does keep looking back and me, wondering why I am so slow 🙁

The bastard does cut the corners though.

I'm afraid this is likely to increase as the dog walkers will also want to enjoy it's all weather surface.

The old TT was sold as a multisport trail hence the dog walkers got used to using it, so its kinda hard to get people off it now.

Basically if you can't stop, your are out of control.

twundred!

Greetings to all you early morning AC lurkers! I too pass through there most mornings. Usually come up Providence Lane and in at the Quarry trail and contine round to the gatehouse, then into Clifton.

It sure beats going there in the evenings...i'm staggered at how busy it is since the trails opened.

I still haven't had chance to ride the new trail yet. I'm really looking forward to it but am half tempted to wait for Leigh Woods to be finished too. Not sure I can wait that long though!

I hope it's not too busy when I do! I'm sure it will calm down after a bit. My plans are to ride their mostly over the winter months and hit the Quantocks in the summer months.

Thanks Santacoops.

Don't see that many folks in the morning but certainly hear people

Hoping my riding buddies can be persuaded to keep the early excursions going through the winter. Think it will be great 'night riding' track

Was that you this morning?

I was there. Did Leigh Woods first then AC I guess 7.15 - 8ish

Saw 2 guys a couple of times (top of gravel track & by the gates)

If that was you then yes that was me 🙂

Ahaa, yes that was me and a mate. Crackin morning! 🙂 Nice Nicolai by the way!

Good stuff. Will stop for a quick chat next time 🙂

Aiming to be there Weds & Friday mornings

Was a great morning. The rain made the track super grippy. Set's you up nicely for the day

Sounds good, prob see you there. 🙂

Inspired by this thread I thought I'd get in some free riding time before work. I was in AC this morning from 7-8, saw a glimse of another rider through the trees but that was it. The trails to myself on a lovely morning 😀

You can't beat early morning rides 🙂

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That looks VERY early!

About 5:30 IIRC 🙂

I've been away from Brizzle for a while and not seen any of this development. It certainly seems to have divided opinion but heading over there now to make my own mind up. Very excited about it too! I'll be on a blue Pace 405 so please be gentle!

Bit too early for me that! 🙂

Ah, it's lovely at that time at this time of year.

I was going to head over there this morning before work. Glad I didn't - sounds like it was a bit crowded!

This one was around 4am on the Summer Solstice 🙂

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I have noticed that most people are riding hardtails now, it used to be filled with full fat susser's, now its all about the hardtails.

I'll be there Saturday or Sunday morning, although I'm not sure clubber would call 10am morning by the looks of it!

Really need to head over to Leigh Woods at some time, is there a map of the trails anywhere?

So early in the morning, Clubber, that your bike's still having a lie in 😀

I was going to head over there this morning before work. Glad I didn't - sounds like it was a bit crowded!

I was up there this morning too, about 6.30am, deserted apart from one chap heading the wrong way on BBL.

Evenings through, its gosh darned heaving! Way more folk about than even the week-pre-bikefest-get-some-practice-laps-crazyness of years gone by.

I have ridden it all on big full sus (6" Heckler), medium full sus (4" Anthem X) and a hardtail SS and can confirm that the Anthem is the most fun bike if you want to incorporate all the red bits and ride as fast as you can.

Basically if you can't stop, your[sic] are out of control.

Braaap!

😀 😀 😀 That was a lot of fun.

3 loops of the blue trails (deer park, lower and upper quarry trails and beggar bush lane) + 50 acre wood + new barn wood once. After that I was pooped!

Lots of pumpy jumpy swoopy woopy bits interspersed with manic pedalling and pumping. Probably more bermed corners there than in the rest of Somerset. Came off the trail twice due to cornering errors, basically trying too hard and being pinged out too fast for the next corner. It's going to need practice to ride well. Loads of folk on all sorts of bikes having fun at various speeds. I love it!

Chapeau to the 50 acre wood trail builders too. I thought that was great fun, and very different in character from the new stuff (roots, rocks and ruts).

wasn't as busy as I expected this morning though I did spot another Swift for the first time. well, the guy on it flew past so I evidently can't blame my bike 😉

Great not needing to wash the bike after a wet ride thought!

was out on tues and i cant wait to get back up ther in the morning 🙂
seems allot of ppl are riding around smileing and chatty at the ends or sections that before

Saw someone ripping the signs off while I was out for a run/balloon watch over Ashton Court this morning. About 8:30am edge of New Barn Wood just up from the new tables. Largish guy, scruffy grey hair, light blue T shirt, khaki/grey shorts, black and white cocker spaniel. When I shouted over and asked why he was doing it he claimed he was putting them back and was the guy who "ran the place" (which he obviously wasn't). Didn't seem angry or confrontational. My guess would be maybe a bit odd rather than militant anti bike protester.

Saw someone ripping the signs off...

Are the trails busy with the Ballon Fiesta going on?

If I saw that I would take a photo or video of them.

Are the trails busy with the Ballon Fiesta going on?

Edit: PS. Going through old posts on here the description of the guy and cocker spaniel possibly matches one of someone putting sticks on Leigh Woods trails some time ago.

number562554 - Member

Saw someone ripping the signs off while I was out for a run/balloon watch over Ashton Court this morning. About 8:30am edge of New Barn Wood just up from the new tables. Largish guy, scruffy grey hair, light blue T shirt, khaki/grey shorts, black and white cocker spaniel.

Told you it was the dog walkers.

The grey haired ye olde stick man from Leigh Woods was very thin,granted he may have put on weight more likely he's dead.

Anyhow that reminds me, I'll be up there tomorrow razzing around on my new non bent forks, I've been gagging to get back up there.

I'll be up after work tomorrow, after a few weeks away for a gentle amble...

What's the word on the street as to what's happening at Leigh Woods? Haven't heard much about the developments there?! Have they even started?

It'd be good if the Bristol Trails Group could get some behind the scenes footgae like they did with Ashton Court?!

Leigh Wood stuff is looking pretty good, from what I've seen of it. Sadly Clixbys aren't keeping everyone updated like Architrail did.

Number 562554, would it be OK if we circulated your description of the sign stealer more widely, e.g. on posters round the estate? He seems to have progressed from removing signs to damaging the actual marker posts so anything that helps to curb his activities would be very welcome.

I think this has been mentioned before, but I was really shocked at the amount of rubbish left at the picnic tables in the roundabout last night.

Take it with you, you morons!

Though I'm sure nobody on this forum would dare leave their litter lying around....

did a practice Bike fest lap last night (30 mins) and going near flat out met someone going the wrong way on Timberland trail when I "mentioned" this he yelled I wasn't the only one to tell him that. I did suggest heeding that advice, reading the maps, reading the signs, etc.
I hope that wasn't one of you............

Moving on to older, natural trails - what's with the "MTB Trail - Twin Peaks" sign on the cyclepath at the bottom of Leigh Woods? Saw it last night for the first time. doesnt really go anywhere mind you...

The Bath MTB Weds Night lot headed over for (a mostly) first time ride on the new trails last night.

Not a good start, torrential downpour and got absolutely soaked riding over from Bath (on the Railway path).

Rain had stopped tho' by the time we met up with the others at the car park.

Headed into the woods and my glasses steamed up! Things improved when I also remembered to let some of the 65psi I'd put in my tyres for the ride over..!

Local John took us on a guided tour of the new stuff plus a couple of diversions. Trails wet (puddles in places).

Impressions?? "like a long version of the BMX track" "flows amazingly well" "needs to be ridden at speed" "surprisingly hard work" "not a lot of space for overtaking" "where did they get the grippy rock from?" "should be fun at Oktoberfest" "great idea, mini version of the big trail centres close to the City, a great way of introducing newbies" etc. etc.

So positive really 🙂

Saw loads of other riders / groups. All seemed to be enjoying themselves. Passed one tutting dog walker noted the vandalised signs 🙁 already. Saw the police checking the car park (which was good to note).

Does anyone know how busy AC is on a weekeday afternoon at the moment?

what's with the "MTB Trail - Twin Peaks" sign on the cyclepath at the bottom of Leigh Woods?

A case of "I've found a Sharpie, so let's make a new trail!" methinks.

The numbers are starting to thin out a bit I think. Not that it's too much of a problem once you actually start riding.

"Sharpie"?