I've got the day free as a bit of an early Father's Day present so I can go riding wherever I want. I had considered booking an uplift somewhere but FOD, BPW & Dyfi are full and if I'm honest I prefer doing that sort of riding with mates rather than solo.
So where should I go?
I'm in Cheltenham so FOD's on the doorstep and although I've ridden it for a long time I reckon I've barely scratched the surface. For instance I've never ridden Staunton so I'd consider that but it's been wet the last week and might be overnight/tomorrow so it's probably sub-optimal for a first time from what I hear.
Anywhere else I should look at? Happy to drive a few miles to get there. Would love to ride some new stuff.
G
I live nearby. My options would be:
- FOD: Staple Edge & Soudley
- FOD: Cycle centre, Worcester Lodge and Barn Hill
- FOD: Staunton (safest in the dry)
- Penyard (I've not been this year, but easy to navigate)
- Wentwood (some trails could be a bit slick)
- Cwmcarn/Risca (I went last weekend and included Machen, Wyllie, Mynyddislwyn, Abercarn and Risca trails in one monster loop... best ride of the year!)
- .... all the other south wales spots.
- BPW pedal up? Commit to a full day under your own steam and see how many laps you can do.
- The trails behind nationwide in Swindon?
-
The trails behind nationwide in Swindon?
Steady on, he said he is on his own. No way I'd do that without a backup vehicle, a satelite tracker and helicopter support 😉
Thunderstorm warnings for a lot of the UK might influence your ideas of where to go, nothing as yet for a band that roughly goes Dorcester to Recar and Southampton to King's Lynn.
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2025-06-14
Thunderstorm warnings for a lot of the UK might influence your ideas of where to go, nothing as yet for a band that roughly goes Dorcester to Recar and Southampton to King's Lynn.
Yeah it's a bit of a bummer that - certainly takes out a lot of destinations and dampens my enthusiasm for it but I've a day to myself so I might just go get wet.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Thanks @smatkins1 -some questions in blue:-
I live nearby. My options would be:
- FOD: Staple Edge & Soudley - Where? Trails easy to find?
- FOD: Cycle centre, Worcester Lodge and Barn Hill - Ride here all the time fancy something different but similar if you get what I mean
- FOD: Staunton (safest in the dry) - Will save that for a dry spell and go with company I think given its reputation
- Penyard (I've not been this year, but easy to navigate) - Where? Is that off the A40 on the way to Ross?
- Wentwood (some trails could be a bit slick) - Not been since Dragon DH days - Can't remember what it's like or even where it is.
- Cwmcarn/Risca (I went last weekend and included Machen, Wyllie, Mynyddislwyn, Abercarn and Risca trails in one monster loop... best ride of the year!) - Ended up in hospital after a Cwmcarn race bitd so I'm a bit wary but should probably just man up and get back on it
- .... all the other south wales spots.
- BPW pedal up? Commit to a full day under your own steam and see how many laps you can do. I was tempted but think if I'm going that far I'll get on the uplift. Too tempting to do jumpy stuff and it's not good when knackered
- The trails behind nationwide in Swindon? - Too much for me. ;o)
Right - I might go to Barry Sidings then having looked it up - the café sold it. I hear the trails are good and it sounds like its worth the trip.
If anyone else is there, I'm the guy on the blue Starling.
Looks like you’ve decided but I certainly enjoyed Afan Masts and would return there.
Looks like you’ve decided but I certainly enjoyed Afan Masts and would return there.
I'd always thought Afan was a bit of an xc loop. Worth a visit then?
Bit late to this, but try heading south of Bristol and try out the Quantocks. Some of the best riding in the SW IMO.
@speeder I certainly wouldn’t categorise Afan as ‘XC’ especially not the last descent of the blade. Most of it is the trail centre but the masts was off piste winch and plummet so go back up as much as you could, nothing we did made me think I was going to die a certain death (but I’m sure there is some there like that)
I love Afan