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I'm looking to get back into mountain biking, but with one knee still a little knackered, i'm looking for relatively nice routes, with not too much climbing up and down, more flat with the occasional climb.
I know that Erlestoke would be a good place, and that the course last week was stated as being excellent, is there a map of this course available, and is there much around that type of area, or Bath that's worth a look?
Would love to get some nice woods, singletrack, etc without too much hills, but i know that's nearly impossible round here, i just wish my knee could take it, up in Scotland just now with the bike and did a very hilly route, which ended with me not being able to put any pressure through the knee after about 10-15 miles, on the flat it was fine though, even after the knee gave up. Any help appreciated.
It's a big old county. What part are you in?
Trowbridge, so Erlestoke is just 20 minutes away, as it Bath, Frome, Warminster and Chippenham.
As I understand it, Erlestoke is out of bounds these days. Online Wiltshire routes are in short supply but I can recommend a couple of books namely 'Mountain Bike Guide - Wiltshire' by Ian White, 'South East Mountain Biking Ridgeway & Chilterns' by Nick Cotton.
Loads of XC riding which is fantastic in the dry. Singletrack in West Woods near Marlborough, also Longleat.
Its not anywhere near as hilly as i imagine Scotland to be! If are at the Salisbury end of the county the dullness of the new forest is nearby. Riding round Salisbury not TOO brutal in my limited experience.
www.settingascene.com
Singletrack in West Woods near Marlborough
Bluebells. West Woods....
*Goes all misty eyed...*
(How's things, CG? Hope you're bearing up!)
Its not anywhere near as hilly as i imagine Scotland to be!
????
Longleat is always a winner although the estate management are starting to cause a few issues for the local Blackcannon Collective which is a real shame.The range path is ok in places although about as hilly as it could get. Bath and Bradford o Avon is great although most is cheeky. As Cinnamon girl says best to do it in the dry
I did this ride recently which was published in an old MBR.
It was really nice but I'd do it in the dry cause it gets pretty boggy out there.
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Hi Argee
I live in sunny Trowbridge, I'm not around for the next week but I'd would be happy to show you some of the trails around erlestoke; there's loads of other stuff locally. My whole body is knackered not just a knee! Drop me a line on Steve dot C at talk21.com
Best bet is to get in touch with some shops/ clubs in the area and start exploring with them. Most are very friendly and accommodating. All of the previously suggested areas should be good for you. Enjoy!
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Steve, i'll drop you an email when i'm back in Trowbridge, i've been down here a few years and have done the cheeky stuff to Bath and back, but it's a little problematic this time of year with the walkers and tourists.
I guess i should get that knee operation, but since the previous two haven't been hugely successful, i just want to see what i can do, and this week it wasn't good to feel it go, no pain or anything, it just wouldn't work, as if my left leg was incapable of turning the pedal uphill, i tried a few things to see, using the foot more to turn the pedal, using the upper leg to power, but everything goes through the knee unfortunately.
Cheers for the updates, i also had a look at Longleat, but there's a bun fight going on and the locals are not happy with the 'damage', considering the state of a lot of the paths due to horse riders i do have to laugh!
Yep as cg says, Erlestoke is officially out of bounds, so would appreciate it if no maps are posted up (I'm in SPAM who organised last weeks event)
A couple of us go out of Trowbridge on a Tue or Thursday evening, either ride towards Bath or car/bike to [s]Erl[/s]... sorry the 'Plain'. Westbury White Horse area also has some tracks for an hour or so loop. Or a local wood for a short blast without hills.
Is this a recent crackdown? Every time I've been the woods have been full of people walking their dogs on the SPAM built trails.Yep as cg says, Erlestoke is officially out of bounds, so would appreciate it if no maps are posted up (I'm in SPAM who organised last weeks event)
....it's the official line, yes; MoD land, so out of bounds. We were lucky with a change of opinion for this years event. After the 2011 event they told us no more and only changed their minds in Feb' time. Not sure why they relented, we didn't ask too many questions after they gave us the go ahead! But, at the end of the day there is some good local riding to be had over there.....
Yes but I reckon the MX riders will have everyone banned there before long. Great singletrack but needs to be treated with respect.
I've never seen any training taking place in the woods, I occasionally see an EX taking place round Stoke Hill Farm. I would have thought it would be the dog walkers that wonder off into the fields round the farm during an EX that would result in an access crackdown.
Search out Captain Bastard from here, he lives down near you and is bound to have some routes.
awh,
I've seen plenty of troops using the woods, particularly near the old parade ground. The dog walkers aren't bothering anyone but the MX riders are a nuisance.
The only people I've seen who don't understand what the red flags mean are the dog walkers! Stopping an EX to remove them to safety could be rather expensive and annoying.
Thanks for the info on the erlestoke route, i work for the MOD and have spent many a day in Warminster and the plain, so best not get caught illegally on the place!
Going back to the topic... drop me an email (in profile) if you want to try some trails Bath/Westbury/Longleat way.
Wiltshire has the largest amount of bridleways and BOATs of any county in England outside of Cumbria so what are you doing messing about with cheeky trails? Granted most of it is not particularly hilly or technically challenging but that's what you're looking for isn't it?
I'd recommend getting an OS Map and starting from Avebury or West woods Marlborough you can put together a shed load of routes. You could even get to some of it using the Kennet and Avon Canal tow-path.
Now is the time to do it as everything is nice and dry. In the winter its a nightmare due to the incredibly sticky mud we have round here.