Farnborough based riding

There's a lot around Minley/Tunnel Hill area that's used by the Gorrick XC series (which you can also race if you want!) - I think if the search works at the moment if you search for Tunnel Hill there was quite a big thread a few months back about a lot of the trails with some good info.

There's lots of XC pedalling around Caesars Camp (backs onto Farnborough Airport) and some short steep trails there too but it's easy to just end up doing lots of straight up and down if you don't know how it all links up. You can also go through to Ash Ranges and link that up to Swinley and there's plenty of gravel tracks around there as well as the Blue/Red etc. of the trail centre.

My office is Farnborough, there a couple of times a month. I go the Hindhead after work most of the time. 

☝️ It's been a long time since I lived around that area, but yeah, jfab has pretty much covered all that I used to ride. Absolutely spot on for that kind of riding. 

If you're looking for somewhere to live, Fleet is a nice town and easy bike commute distance to Farnborough. 

Oh and a decent way to get to different areas a little further afield on a gravel bike is the Basingstoke Canal. 

The other side of the Basingstoke Canal (north side) from Tunnel Hill is Porridgepot (also used by Gorrick for races). It's known by the MOD as G2. Unlike Tunnel Hill which is always open (although you may have to avoid the army sometimes) Porridgepot is fenced and only (officially) open to the public sometimes. It used to be easy to search on the MOD website for opening times but you can't do that anymore.

I lived in Fleet for over 30 years and most of that time worked in Aldershot or Farnborough - the canal towpath is great for commuting on foot or by bike. When I first lived there there was almost unfettered access to all the Aldershot ranges with the exception of live fire areas - over the years it has become increasingly restricted/fenced off such that many areas are only open at MoD’s convenience - locals will know the current status and where opening times are posted.

If you’re into more general MTB riding / gravel rather than gnarr it’s also possible to link up many of the commons, particularly south of Farnham - Frensham, Thursley, Rushmoor, Elstead, Hindhead to name a few plus trails like North Downs Way and Shipwrights Way. I’ve ridden to Eastbourne connecting the Northdowns Way to the Downslink and the Southdown’s Way.

As well as those areas mentioned above there's Hawley Woods, Yateley Common, Warren Heath, Crowthorne Woods, Highlands Farm, so lots to choose from.

I'd look to live in Fleet or Brookwood rather than Farnborough itself. Certainly avoid Aldershot. Loads of great riding and close to Surrey Hills too.

Cheers for the info peeps. Should be starting down there September time so will check out your recommendations.

Ewan, I'll be commuting in from Reading to start with but Fleet is a preferred living option!