I'm off to Leeds (from London) to pick up a bike next week, with probably a day- day and a half for riding.
I don't know the area at all, and would rather some waymarked stuff for a change, since I'll probably be riding an Enduro, and be by myself. I thought to try out Stainburn, Lee Quarry and Gisburn while I'm up that way, since they all seem to be quite high profile- will this be enough to fill in the time, without me having to drive too many miles out of my way(campervan, so not worried about basing myself somewhere for two nights)? Anything else I should consider?
Not a Leeds local myself, but ride up there now and again when visiting in-laws.
Stainburn is a few miles north of Leeds, but Lee Quarry and Gisburn are miles away in Lancs.
Dales are closer. Some great riding and lovely views.
Stainburn is small, try Dalby, about 1.5 hours from Leeds.
What kind of rider are you?
Stainburn is worth a trip if you like trialsy/technical riding. You can easily spend 2 or 3 hours there trying to clean all the different lines. Its not a place you can breeze round unless your a riding god..
From there its about 45 mins to Gisburn (approx). I don't know if all the signs are in yet? This place is half a trail centre at the moment. What has been built is mostly good with one or two unique features (big berms) and one or two surfacing issues. I enjoyed it but it does have a lot of fireroad till phase 2 is complete. Nothing there that can't be riiden first time.
Lee Quarry is fun but quite short so needs riding 2 or 3 times. Again, nothing there that can't be ridden first time. Loop round the red then do the black (clever design means if you can ride the first section then you can ride the rest), the final descent is a complete contrast to the rest and flows real nice!
I don't see why you can't ride Stainburn and Gisburn in one day if your fit.
If it helps my kind of riding is rocky techy/trialsy stuff with some good old Lake District/Peaks/Calderdale big days out.
You could always hook up with some peeps off here for a trip round Calderdale.
Yep - just get yourself to Hebden (ideally find a local) and start from there 🙂
you could come out with us if you want on Tuesday and/or Thursday night
www.badbrainsmbc.com - check our own forum
reet good proper northern fun
It would be possible to do a sort of circuit, Leeds-Stainburn-Gisburn-Lee Quarry-M62-home. However, as said above, only Gisburn is really in the standard trail centre mould that you might have experienced elsewhere. Lee Quarry and even more so, Stainburn are short and technical and more playgrounds rather than XC rides. stainburn is particularly brutal and is a love it or hate it sort of place and there's not a great deal else to do if you're not prepared to play on the obsticals.
The one ride I would recommend is the famous Nidderdale circuit North of Pateley Bridge.