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Hi I'm moving to Dunstable in three months , whilst not coming from to far away away knowing Aston, chicksands and Woburn relatively well I've never really taken my bike there or ashridge. Is there anything good that way as will literally be a mile away and evening rides an option. whilst I've seen loads on road bikes my ones not my preferred option. Also any mtb clubs/ locals that I could hook up with would be gladly appreciated.
The chalk is pretty treacherous on the wet,
The downs are ok but having grown up in the paradise that is Dunstable, I can't say there's much amazing riding to be had even in the dry !
You've got the green lanes to tottenhoe and the downs is OK. Then 20 mins up the a5 you have the woburn forest which is well worth the trip. I grew up there too Kimbers.
I'm currently near Watford but prices have pushed me into Bedfordshire for what I want , shame as there's some elevation round there . With Woburn chicksands and Aston nearby I won't be short of riding but was interested in local fun. Thanks for the reply's maybe scout ashridge with a shovel when I move in
I could show you some good trails there but digging isn't a good idea. It's National Trust land and it'll just get taken out.ashridge with a shovel
Used to live in Tring, from Dunstable you're at the North end of some great riding.
If you head South past Whipsnade, up towards and around Ashridge, then Tring on to Wendover Woods and Princes Risborough, vaguely following the Ridgeway, there are miles and miles of brilliant trails.
Ashridge is a bog in the winter but Tring to Wendover out to Risborough are fine.
Take a map and just go exploring. And don't be shy of using footpaths, everyone else does.
There's a bike shop in Hemel called Leisure Wheels who used to have a shop ride out on a Wednesday that often went around Ashridge, and there was an MTB Berkhamsted group that did too, but not sure if they still exist.
Think so, there's Weds night rides from the station area. Or talk to Lovelo bike shop in Berkhamsted.MTB Berkhamsted group
MTB Berkhamsted's website seems to have dried up though
MTB Berko still very active. A colleague rides every weds night.
There are plenty off of the Downs and Ashridge. You can also head into Leighton Buzzard on the bridleway and ride some pretty good trails at Rushmere Country Park and then over the A5 and into the Woburn network.
I ride with a group out of Leighton Buzzard. Let me know if you want to join.
Thanks all for comments and offers of a show around . Will bookmark this page and be in touch when I complete if that's ok ?
I grew up in Dunstable and cut my MTB teeth there. I've still got a mate from there who now lives in neighbouring Leighton Buzzard. There's a wood there that he rides a lot. It used to be called Heath & Reach when I rode it, but gets called something else now.
As for Dunstable itself, there are local trails but they need linking up with quite a bit of road, and they're nothing too technical. If I still lived there, I think I'd want a cyclocross bike for doorstep fun (unless the trails have changed significantly in the last 15 years). If it's still there, the chalk pit used to be fun for messing about in the summer. Good for mx bikes and stolen Vauxhall Novas too.
EDIT: Just remembered that Heath & Reach is now called Rushmore.
There are plenty off of the Downs and Ashridge. You can also head into Leighton Buzzard on the bridleway and ride some pretty good trails at Rushmere Country Park and then over the A5 and into the Woburn network.
I ride with a group out of Leighton Buzzard. Let me know if you want to join.