[Closed] English MTB Tour ?

"The Gap" in the Brecon beacons essential experience in my opinion.

And as your close Afan trail centre is a must

For clarity, not exactly on the way but close too it.

Straight line it down the west side.

Cross Fell/High Cup Nick loop on your way down the M6.

Howgills.

Gisburn Forest a couple of junctions further down.

Mary Townley Loop or versions thereof.

I wouldn't bother diverting to Llandegla or the Peak District, personally, but others might.

Shropshire/Powys border - couple of decent waymarked FE trails.

Forest of Dean.

Quantocks.

Exmoor.

Quantocks & Exmoor were two of the most memorable places I've ridden in the UK. Definitely worth a stop and on your route. Quantocks is just plain simple fun and I remember there being quite a few campsites within riding distance. Exmoor had a brilliant mix of open moor, gnarled old woodland all with a coastal backdrop.

If you don't want to stop at the Lakes, Gisburn as above could be good for a blast. A bit of a detour but if you've never ridden round Hebden Bridge it's worth doing. Interesting landscape and different feel to other places.

Heading down the border lands you could try something like Long Mynd, then carry on down to either Forest of Dean area or Brecon Becons. Both excellent options.

Why not the Lakes? I'd be tempted to just ride there the whole time, less driving, best biking in England.

Assume you've possibly rode there lots, and want a change.

“The Gap” in the Brecon beacons essential experience in my opinion.

And as your close Afan trail centre is a must

Wales is closed.

Though I did see two car loads from swindon pile out at a local recreation spot, so not everyone has the message!

Hopefully English campsites will open before the 4th or overnight stays will be allowed.

Nope. Minister confirmed that July 4 is the earliest today.

As it currently stands going to the alps is going to be easier and more likely than wales

In Shropshire, definitely the Long Mynd, Hopton woods and Eastridge. Maybe Mortimer forest although harder to find the good stuff without a guide.

Welsh option out I think, still restrictions.

Thanks.

A trial announced to pay for a test when you return to the UK to avoid quarantine. £156 I think.
Not sure if insurance is valid with FCO advice the hinge.

Pool Bridge and Burrowhayes campsites in Horner put you right on the Exmoor good stuff.

When you say 'good stuff' do you mean singletrack ?

+1 for Shropshire: Long Mynd and Eastridge off-piste. Probably lots more I don't know too.

Then you could head down to the FoD and on to the Quantocks.

English trail centres are thin on the ground I know, but I'd still swerve Gisburn. If you're determined to avoid the best MTBing in England (Lakes), then the Peak offers a pale facsimilie of it's grandeur a bit further south.

Yes, singletrack - Horner Wood, Porlock and Hawkcombe have some cracking trails.

Quantocks likewise, albeit on a smaller scale. But much more compact.

I live at the bottom of the Quantocks and half an hour from Exmoor. Bang for buck, the Quantocks are the best I've ridden in England and Wales. Exmoor is like a grown up Quantocks.

I'd get to the Quantocks early, ride for the morning and most the afternoon and then drive the 30 mins on to Horner for the night. Make it a Friday and you can get a Horner Farm pizza when you arrive.

Jonostevens - Well you have sold it for me !

Dorset/Devon/Cornwall also has plenty Stand Up Paddle Boarding too.

Thanks

If you’re determined to avoid the best MTBing in England (Lakes), then the Peak offers a pale facsimilie of it’s grandeur a bit further south.

Although the Lakes has much better views, id argue the Peaks is better for rides. But i ride both and love both.

Exmoor is lovely with great riding. The 2 campsites recommended above a very nice but are out in the sticks a bit. This may be a plus point but if you want pubs and eateries in easy walking distance then I'd recommend Sparkhayes campsite in porlock.

Thanks for all the posts, ended up in Dorset first, Puddletown forrest was good using Trailforks. And then SUP only in Cornwall and then Long Mynd, which was park at Blazin Saddles, up to the top of Minton Batch via Minton and fire road to glider runway, down Minton Batch, no one else there. Then back up same way and down the next one along which was disappointingly wide single track. I don't think 6ft wide trail is a single track ? . So an hours climb for 6ft single teack and trail, bit unclear from Trailforks. In hindsight should have doen Minton Batch again.
Then back Dalby - which was long doing the red plus black - which was nearly all singletrack and smooth and sandy. Doing the red from the low carpark up to the Black XC Worldcup route then finding the red again to finish it back the start carpark was actually via navigation, I can navigate so ok, but a few folk turned back as they got lost.

Got home and first day went to Comrie Croft so lucky to be living in Scotland !