[Closed] Newcastle upon tyne

Chopwell is prob your beat bet if you have a car. Check this site out, a guy posted it here earlier this week http://www.nemountainbikeroutes.co.uk/ there is a chopwell route there. It's about 15 mins drive from city centre if you time the traffic right.

Your also only an hour from Hamsterly Forest.

Your [sic] also only an hour from Hamsterly Forest.

Only worth it for dirty roadies, in my opinion.

+1 for Chopwell if you're limited for time, I haven't been down for a couple of months, but it's generally pretty good for a smaller forest with no parking charges. Hamsterley seems to have relly come into it's own in the last year or two, it is a fair drive out from Newcastle as previously stated. Don't park in the main section of the car park if You'll be staying much past6 pm as they get locked. Drive past the tearooms and park in the smaller area on the right. Hamsterley trailblazers may have an evening ride on, look them up. For Chopwell, try [url= http://mtbnortheast.ning.com/ ]http://mtbnortheast.ning.com/[/url]

Failing all of the above..
take a road bike and get up into otterburn and places.

Chopwell isn't too bad Hamsterley is dull as dishwater.

Yeah, I'll be there Tuesday evening. How far do you fancy going? I've got a ride out to Morpeth planned but I'm happy to show you the ride round up to gateshead, past the angel, under the A1 and then right up to STanley with a long, long descent back down to the A1 with a crazy assed ride through some of the dogiest estates you've ever seen before heading back towards the city. if you like. About 40 miles or so.

And lets just check, who are you working for? The government per-chance?

Chopwell was on fire last week.. Not sure what happened though, be worth looking into before you go.

I'm glad i'm not the only one who thinks Hamsterley is poor. Chopwell is great for an evening ride, but the best stuff isn't marked and can be hard to find.

chopwell for closeness and ease of use. the best bridleways etc are around Hexham IMO. there's a loop around hexhamshire common which will be quite dry at the moment, thats a classic, also edmundbyers, slaley and blanchland common, but a bit of local knowledge is required, I would come out with you and show you the ropes, but my 2 day old son (and wife) may have something to say about that!

the kielderr lads are riding from hexham racecourse wednesday night if you want to do some natural stuff [url= http://www.kieldertrailreavers.co.uk/ ]Kielder site[/url]

Thrunton Woods is quality, about 35-40 mins from Newcastle.

I'm free Tuesday night, if you'd like a guide?

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Oh aye Thrunton is good but you do need a guide really, I might be able to escape Tuesday night too come to think of it.

Chopwell is great for a small wood, to get the best out of it though you need a guide as nothing is sign posted, alternatively you could just follow your nose and get hope to get lucky. Thrunton is excellent but again you need a guide. Hamsterley has some great trails but as with most places the best stuff is off the beaten track. Keilder is poor in my opinion.

Natural stuff like Hexham common, Blanchland moor and Bolts Law are all good.

I can get up on Tuesday, we should have a STW Thrunton evening.

Aye good plan carbon.

So is this on *this* Tuesday? i.e. tomorrow?

yep ok by me - can be there any time between 5:45 - 6

Chopwell is great easy riding distance of central Newcastle as well, and the best part of that can be done on reasonable cycle paths.

Hamsterley not worth bothering with really my folks live very close and I tend to ride Tees Valley moorland stuff rather than Hamsterley.

I don't understand why so many people dislike Hamsterley - Yes if you go there all the time it gets a bit tedious, but if your visiting the area for a short time it has about the best riding we have to offer. I much prefer it to Kielder.

Thrunton seems to have had a recent surge in popularity - I'll have to take a look up next time I'm home.

Come out with us!

www.beamishoddsox.co.uk

I don't understand why so many people dislike Hamsterley...

It's all relatively subjective, of course, but nothing really happens at Hamsterley. The DH trails are decent enough, but the "red" route is almost devoid of features. It's like you ride out, see a load of fire roads, a little bit of shoddy singletrack, some more fire road, then back along a dull little groomed trail to where you started. Quite how it got a Red grade is beyond me. The whole place just feels like tiny bits of singletrack joined up by tedious fire roads. There are one or two good sections, but nothing, in my opinion, worth the drive from Newcastle.

Kielder at least has some interesting singletrack. Even with its huge fire road climb, the singletrack on the new Lonesome Pine route is more interesting and more challenging than anything at Hamsterley. Quite what it'll be like come the end of the year is another matter; they've ran out of money and there's (virtually) nobody around to repair the trails any more. Deadwater is already starting to look rough around the edges and we're not even into the summer season.

Like I said, what people like about trails comes down to what people like about riding. I can see the appeal of Hamsterley for people who just like a nice, contained pootle around and enjoy being outdoors on a bike - the dirty roadie types; but in terms of a technical challenge I don't think it offers much at all.

Hamsterley an hour in the car to ride generally pretty dull way marked trails or Chopwell probably an hour bike bike from Newcastle, I know what I'd be doing if I was still up North.

Shit forgot swimming lessons for eldest on tuesdays can't get out of it this week either.

As geordiepaul says get yersel along to the Shepherd and Shepherdess on Wednesday night before 7pm and go for a spin with the oddsox they know some excellent stuff around the area, great singletrack and good crack 🙂

the "red" route is almost devoid of features

get yourself around the black route then, there's the odd bit of hidden stuff too. Section 13 was briefly the most grin inducing big boys bmx course for miles (before the weather got to it). Keilder seems bigger than it is thanks to the energy sapping nature of the rough dolomite, I reckon Hamsters has more features per mile too.

There is loads of natural stuff to explore locally, obviouslly, but If I were an out of towner, I'd like to go somewhere that I didn't need the OS maps for...

All of the above.

Why not register on midaircris.co.uk (aka Newcastle mountain bike club). We ride on Thursdays which is of little use to you but they will offer advice and the occasional "Chopwell Chuesday".

Beyond Hamsterley has a good Chopwell Route in it. Hamsterley is Ok. Hell, we can string 3 hours of decent riding without really leaving Newcastle so they must be better than that. Just don't go expecting Glentress style riding (section 13 is way better 😉 )

get yourself around the black route then, there's the odd bit of hidden stuff too.

I've ridden the black but was making a comparison with Kielder's red graded route, so it wouldn't be fair to use the black for that. The Hamsterley red has a miniscule 15% singletack; the black is, granted, over three times better at 50%, but it's not exactly what I'd call a decent proportion. The hidden stuff may well be exceptional, but that's something of a moot point. I'm not going to argue that you and numerous other people find Hamsterly an enjoyable trip, it's different strokes for different folks; but that doesn't alter the fact that I am bored out of my mind by it.

<camp> I'm freeeeee </camp> (tomorrow night) and could be tempted by Thrunton or Chopwell (or anything really).

Some people haven't been to Hamsterley for a while, have they?

(The Red is graded red because of it's length, remoteness and climbing, rather than any technical riding. I agree that it's not great, which is why I've never ridden all of it in one go.)

If you do the Black route, you get the better stuff. The new stuff from the DH car park is now (badly) signposted from the DH cabins, but basically head up the hill to the DH car park and then ride through that and you get to the start of Section 13.

Friends I ride with went recently. Their review of it was enough not to make ever want to go back. So many natural trails so very close to me that why spoil a day out. GT is about the same time for me if I wanted a trail centre.

Sorry guys. The hire car my company has given me is way too small to fit a bike into. No chance.

Bloody hell how small is it. If your having problems again or have the Kaffenback and want to ride the hills I can get hold of one for you.

Some of us from Hexham are heading up to Edmundbyers on wednesday evening, you're welcome to join us, if you don't mind 5-mile moorland singletrack descents to a pub 😉
email in my profile.

Considering it's an estate it's tiny. A Peugeot 207 sw. And I mean I can't get a bike in the boot with the seats still up. The car will be left overnight in a hotel car park which regularly has broken glass scattered on the ground in the mornings from car windows. I'd rather not put a bike on show. Bike goes in a mondeo or insignia saloon no problem.

I can make Thrunton tomorrow, but won't be there until 7-7:15pm, any good?

Take the bike into your room???????

Ah now I see.

Your a returning customer aren't you to the hotel maybe they have some where they can put it?

Oh I could make 7 at a push.

Rothbury is better 😆 But I can`t do Tuesday....
Wednesday yes

Samuri - if you do fancy a trip out, I can lend you a bike for a trip with the Hexham bunch (ir_bandito's mixed crew), so long as you're +- a couple of inches form 5"10. Serious offer. 8 pm ish ride for a 11-12 pm finish.

Oh, and I'm moving out of Hexham, probably to Fenham in July. So I'm going to dig this thread out so you can take me riding new places.

Hamsterley black with hidden bits is good. Chopwell is good for something so near. Kielder is a OK but not worth the journey. Blanchland is good.

Mr Land how you doing?

Thanks for the offer Jon and Drac. It's just this week really, normally they give me a bigger car. I'm not sure the hotel would be happy about me wheeling a muddy mountain bike in, although I've been OK with them lookng after a pristine road bike before now.

If something is being organised for next week give a heads up and I'll make sure I have the right sized car and can easily change my night in Newcastle from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Naffed off with work BillyBull, yourself?

On hols next week I reckon Wednesday is ok if you fancy a rude thrunton or Rothbury. Both are good I may good for the tuesday still but course is at Hexham not Newcastle like I thought.

So is there a ride up at Thrunton 7ish tomorrow night? Might be up for that

It's not a definate I don't think.

I'm still ok for tonight?

Wow, now there's a response. Am hoping to be up in time to ride tonight but if not deffinitely tomorrow. Would love a guide and by the looks of it Chopwell and Thrunton seen to be the best options.

You can text me on 07775 642731.

Dave

I'll keep an eye on this thread whilst out and about today. If it's on and I can get then up for it, nights tomorrow night though.

Carbon337, P20, Dr Death, Darc\others meet at Thrunton main car park at 7:15?

Me too

Sorry!

I was in up the night looking after sick kids, so go easy on me.

Ok, am hoping to get up for 7.15, although my meeting has now been put back 2 hours! Grr.

Is there a postcode/road name to head for?

Alternatively, if I can't make it on time tonight I'm deffo in for tomorrow anytime from about 4 onwards.

Dave

Right will try to make it as if the evening is half as nice as it is this am it'll be spot on.

Stumpi I’m flexible on time, do you want to push it back?

Where you staying?

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Ok, update for me is that theres no way for me to get there at a reasonable time. If I leave Milton Keynes at 4.30 I won't get to Thrunton until after 9, Bugger! I hate people that move meetings.

Toons, I'm on for tomorrow night if anyone can ride and I'd love to ride Thrunton.

Sorry messing y'all about, bloody customers! If you're riding tonight, have a goodun.

Wednesday is tricky for me, as the misses doesn't get home until 19:30, so won't make it until 20:15, is that too late?

BTW I'm still riding tonight as well.

I'll do my best for tonight but doubt it. 20.15 may be a bit late tomorrow as I'll be done by 4.
Will update as I get on, thanks for being so accomodating.

Bugger can't help you tomorrow night either.

i can only do tonight and even then my legs are shafted after overdoing it at the gym last night.

Tonight sounds good. I'm in

BTW jack, Si has made you out to be a Thrunton God 😉

Lol. What's he after?
Is he up for tonight?

Unfortunately not, he's got an early start tomorrow, off Wales.

Not looking likely for me now, kids want some fish and chips from the Harbour chippy after swinning and want to eat them at Warkworth.

do you go to the granary pool - thats the gym i go to

Yup we do nice little pool and the lessons are better.

There just about every Tuesday with my eldest but have both tonight so they want they're tea out and about.

LOL - I've got all that to come to...

Yeah it does slow things down a little sometimes but I still get out and starting to get out more again. It's just how can I say "No your not" when it's such a lovely night and I'm working the next 2.

Have a ride planned for Saturday so looking forward to that and plan on doing a biggish one.

Hi Guys I'm a dedicated trail builder at Thrunton one of a group of around 30 or so regulars maintaining the trails.
We only ride there on the assurance we keep it low profile and the FC work with us to this end.
Thrunton is privately owned and we have to tread careful to keep everyone on side by all means enjoy the trails but please keep it away from the social network to much attention wont be good for the trails we are trying hard to keep pace with the amount of visitors so if you could keep it to word of mouth we would appreciate it very much
Maybe meet one weekend and show you the real beauty of Thrunton Woods

To be fair Ian no on has mentioned anything about Thrunton other than you can ride there only you have mentioned the trails, people have been riding there for years way before trails were built as you know. It's a well known place and has even been used for races in the past, these were even televised. What I have noticed though it has become very very popular since the trails were built so slightly a victim of their success. Annoyingly were the illegal uplifts I've witnessed which now seem under control.

Whilst I'm very supportive of keeping these trails to a minimum Thrunton is not an unheard of place. Mind it was nice when there use to only a handful of us that rode there regular.

So, how was it tonight, beautiful evening.
Anyone out, anywhere tomorrow?

Was very nice only two riding in the end but shhh don't talk about it it's secret! 😉

Was a cracking ride.

Sorry Stumpi can't make tomorrow.

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Perfect night you had, didn't get away from Amble until 7 as kids wanted to play with our friends kids who came to the pool to meet their mother. Ah well!

Thrunton

There'll be a reserved for the regulars sign popping up next.
sshh keep it quiet.

So tonight, anyone, I'm desperate and have time to spend.

I can of course find my own way from the carpark, but it'd be great to have some company.

Let me know, will be free from about 4-5

Oh, and tea/beer/whatever on mee if there is a guide about.... 😀
Dave

Wish I could but working tonight, so you really don't want me turning up. 😆

Toons,

Am heading up to your suggested location. Printed the map.
Drop me a text if you want to hook up and can get out
07775 642731

I'm off.

Dave