A friend of mine came biking for the the first time at the weekend (to Whinlatter) and really enjoyed it - he was thinking of buying a decent bike. Is it worth it living in London? What riding is there that's easily accessable?
South Downs and Swinley are names I have read before I think - is any of it waymarked?
tons.
surrey hills has some of the uks best riding
>is any of it waymarked?
Nope thank god.
hello mate,
Yeah there is some riding down here its nowhere near as good as the lakes but its worth getting out. The best of the bunch is the Surrey Hills (Because there the only frickin hills round London!) lots of singletrack a tiny fraction of which (the most famous sections) is waymarked but the majority isnt. Its not a big area and quite easy to keep your bearings if they explore a bit at a time. The hills are smallish but the trails are sweet, Nirvana cycles do a Wed night ride on the trails check out there webber if they want to join.
Second Place I ride is Swinely (Swineflu) this is ok, simple singletrack and an expansive forest along with some decent sandy surfaces in places make this quite a good venue in winter, though its flat as a witches tit. Having said that some of the singletrack downhills whilst only 30secs ish are a real laugh. Good to spin the legs and not get shot.
There is also Woburn Sands and Chicksands which are more freeride/bike park style doss spots. Real good laugh if your that way inclined and there is plenty to get your teeth into.
Most people who ride these places are friendly as and when I first started riding these (ie swinely which is pretty big and featureless) was shown some of the tracks by locals so encourage your mate to do the same.
Im sure there are other places but these are the only spots I visit. Worth getting a bike and getting out there defo, but only as a substitute to whet your appetite till you get in some proper hills with rocks, horrendous weather and sheep!
Thanks folks - trouble is I just can't see him getting a map and exploring really, or going out with a group or whatever. I could be wrong though, he was really buzzing afterwards (despite saying it was 'gay' and that he couldn't be arsed before hand) 🙂
whats he normally do for leisure?
if he thinks riding is gay he shouldnt come out with me then all i do is ride off into the undergrowth and coat my balls in chamois cream
all i do is ride off into the undergrowth and coat my balls in chamois cream
And sometimes you might even ride your bike! 😀
the places mentioned above are the popular places, there's a load more around
I live in central London and it's amazing what you can find after spending 45 mins on the train
you have to put the effort in though, it's not going to be laid out on a plate for him
[i]you have to put the effort in though[/i]
Or as I suggested to a friend when he commented:
Him - "my new boss is a mountain biker as well"
Me - "as well as who"?
Him - "me"
Me - "you're not a mountain biker, you just happen to own a mountain bike"
b r - Member
you have to put the effort in thoughOr as I suggested to a friend when he commented:
Him - "my new boss is a mountain biker as well"
Me - "as well as who"?
Him - "me"
Me - "you're not a mountain biker, you just happen to own a mountain bike"
Are you a mountain biking god then?
Don't for get the Chilterns and Ashridge! More quality riding 🙂
And Gadebridge Park 😀
or Epping and there are loads of smaller bike park type places if he gets into that like Wisley and Esher.
whats he normally do for leisure?
Dunno - his big thing is diving, he was an instructor out in Thailand for a while, but I'm not sure how much he does it in this country. He goes to the gym quite a bit but I think he realised that actual cycling is much more fun than pretend cycling in a sweaty gym. 🙂
NickyB - 😯
try the trail centres in surrey thread from a few days ago for some more ideas, box hill / reigate hill are a little less techy and easier to get around withough local knowledge
Happily living in Bromley and there is plenty of good off road riding around here.
Tell him to check out the Bigfoot bike Club, based around the shop in Hayes - have rides every Tuesday (8-00) and Thursday (8-30) night - guests welcome ( you can ride 3 times before being asked to join , something to do with insurance) , the shop will hire you light sets.
The rides continue thru the winter
Weekends normally something realitively organised
[i]Are you a mountain biking god then? [/i]
ChunkyMTB
no, not in the least - but at least I actually get out and ride plus discover routes etc
Is it worth it living in London?
If it's worth me having one in Peterborough then I am going to have to say yes.
i moved here earlier in the year and have managed a few decent mountain bike skids, mostly around dorking, i do find it difficult to find my way around the place though.
i have to say, the riding isn't as good as the lakes etc but you learn to take advantage of what's local to you.
"box hill / reigate hill are a little less techy and easier to get around withough local knowledge" You aren't riding the right trails then! Lots of techy stuff over this way. Perhaps more singletrack than Pitch/Holmbury etc... but plenty to keep us interested. We found some cheeky new trails over the back of Denbies just this week.
pinches - Not sure if you're riding solo but there's a semi-regular group of people that meet up around there (or further afield if we can ever plan it) if you're up for it.
'dont forget gadebridge park'
I ride there more than anywhere esle. Do I know you?
Yes there's lots of good riding around London, but if he won't ride with a group or use a map then he probably shouldn't bother.
Spots I've ridden at include:
[list][*]Danbury, nr. Chelmsford - jumpy fun with some reasonable XC.[/*]
[*]Epping Forest - local knowledge is invaluable, but you can get a decent loop together. Sloppy in the wet.
[/*]
[*]Chiltern Hills - I live here now and there's more riding than you can shake a stick at, from big hill-ridden loops to the excellent downhill tech of Aston Hill. Better in the dry and wear kneepads - there's flint everywhere.[/*]
[*]Swinley - reasonable riding with local knowledge. Some great sections if you know where to look. Not a bad winter destination as it drains well.
[/*]
[*]Bracknell Forest - see Swinley.[/*]
[*]North Downs - some epic singletrack routes, if a little crowded. Again, local knowledge rules.[/*][/list]
I took the bike out from my door yesterday (Ealing) and rode to Richmond park via the towpath and river, did some cheeky singletrack and came back. I normally save mtb for the trip north, Wales or Swinley / Surrey Hills and didn't have great expectations for the ride. However, the sun was shining, I was fast and it ended up being one of the best rides I've had for ages. Richmond was full of totty sitting by the river too, which helped.
That aside, yes its worth it
Djglover, Richmond park? Thats crazy. As Atlaz said, do check [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12669705&start=2000 ]HERE[/url] for group rides. Infact, there are about 5-6 active riders live near you*
Tunnel Hill, porridge pot, Caesar camp etc etc based around farnborough area
these guys ride all around that area - waterloo to brookwood or farnborough easy on the tree
http://tunnelhilltrolls.co.uk/ nice bunch too
djglover i live in ealing!!!
Not ridden with them (maybe if I move back from Australia one day...) but Addiscombe also have MTB rides that often start fom East Croydon Station if he lives on the (better!!! 😛 ) south side of the river;
www.addiscombe.org
He can join a club west drayton is a good one with a good mix. The chilts high wycombe and Henley are full of trails.
Addiscombe also have MTB rides
The forum is where to look for info on the rides (couldn't see a link on the website)
http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3
if he lives on the (better!!! ) south side of the river;
😯
Can somebody have a word please?
I'm going to walk away from this one, for the good of [i]Humanity[/i].