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Me and some fellow Isle of Wightees are off over to that there Mainlaaahnd next Saturday for a blast round Swinley Forest. Are the trails there waymarked trail-centre style or is it just a case of follow your nose?
Any locals likely to be out riding there next Saturday who wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge of the good bits with some hayseeds from across the Solent?
Much as I like Swinley I wouldn't travel all the way from the IOW for it though...!
Have a look on my Strava account for routes.
GB (George Budd)
I can GPX some stuff to you - email in profile. Plenty of other good riding aroud the Swinley area to be had also. As per the above, not sure I'd travel from IOW to do it - south downs closer?
South Downs kinda similar to what we have over 'ere I think.
I guess it's a case of a change is as good as a rest - there isn't really anything comparable to Swinley on the IOW, maybe the odd bit here and there.
Good though the riding on the IOW is a lot of our Saturday rides involve linking up the same good bits in slightly different ways, so any change of scenery will be refreshing.
Here's a gpx download from a couple of weeks ago there
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1471404
That said, get a ride in at QECP, it's a lot better than it used to be since the guys have been building a lot of new trails up there
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1447946
i think swinley is great got a bit of everything have a great time
there is nothing quite like Swinley IMO. I think it is a fantastic centre. The trails are not marked but what is there is just incredible fun! I'd get there early as possible spend as much time as possible in the woods. I'm sure you'll have and amazing time - especially if the weather is anything like today
You'll be driving quite a way from iow to get to swinley. Depend on what you like riding I would say there are closer trails just as good. For xc the purbecks, dh blandford. Swinley is great though, will be riding lovely at the moment.
Swinly in a nutshell courtesty of my ride yesterday morning. Just follow some other riders. All a friendly bunch.
good video. but everything looks a lot bigger when you are actually there
I moved to the French Alps 2 years ago, and I still miss Swinley Forest! You don't get braking bumps there... 🙂
Surrey Hills isn't as far a drive and, if you have a GPS to follow or someone who knows the area, then there are similar length loops around the holmbury/pitch area which would be better, but involve a bit more climbing.