My14-year-old nephew is showing an interest in riding and we're all going to be near Woburn this weekend, so we're going for a ride. He's got a few issues going on that mean he's easily put off things and he's not great on a bike yet. I've never been to Woburn. What are the trails like in the wet? Fun or a slow, sludgy mess? How 'red' is the red? I'm thinking we'll try the blue and then have a crack at the red.
Thanks in advance!
Is there much open atm what with Matt Jones tearing it all apart for likes and subscribes and Supercars?
The Longslade loop over on the other side of the hill is pretty much a perfect trail for getting people into it, rough and fun enough to feel like 'proper' MTB but shortish with plenty of bailout options and the sandy soil means it actually can ride better in the winter than the summer.
It's been one for the nippers and I to do at this time of year for a while now.
Ace, thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!
Is there much open atm what with Matt Jones tearing it all apart for likes and subscribes and Supercars?
I got the impression that the bike park/jumps were shut but the xc stuff open.
You could always give Rushmere country park a go, they have a reasonable XC loop there but their jumps have recently been removed.
The main benefit is it has better facilities than Woburn, cafe/toilets/other activities if he’s had enough of biking.
Only about 10 minutes drive away near Leighton Buzzard
The official trails aren't very gnarly, there's a couple of steepish little bits but all pretty tame tbh. There's a bit more tech if you ride the backwoods but you might need someone to show you round (though there's usually plenty of people riding who can point you in the right direction). Trail conditions should be fine, you might get a couple of sloppy bits but as it's mostly sand it runs well through winter.
lonslade trail at woburn is perfect for new starters
Rushmere is a better shout if hes a total beginner
Both trails at Woburn are rideable for beginners and are generally rideable year round as the sandy conditions means that the trails drain and dry out very quickly. I wouldn't have said that the skill level required to ride the 'Red' trail is any different to the blue - think of it as a way of distinguishing the trails rather than a grading.
Rushmere is another good shout as they have a cafe, but the loops there are quite long compared to Woburn, and some of the climbs are pretty relentless.
The back-woods have better riding I wouldn't recommend if you have a teen in tow as you need a bit of patience when it comes to navigating your way around there, unlike the blue and red loops which are pretty much impossible to get lost on - also you're never *that* far from the car park.
Woburn is great as an introduction to off road riding. Now i risk exposing how rubbish i am on a bike. This year I’ve ridden the Blue at Llandegla and Blade at Afan both of which are less technical the official trails at Woburn. This is particularly true if you take the harder line at 4 crucial points, i think there are all sign posted but keep your eyes open. The ups are steep in places too.
For a 14 year old with no prior experience maybe look at using the Bridleways first as these are genuinely easy. As are the Bridlways and permissive cycle paths at Rushmere.
You can of course walk anything you didn’t fancy, up or down, but some teenagers find that frustrating
Sessioning the start of the blue might be a good option. It’s the down after that which is harder, i think it’s keep right for the easier option
Thanks for all the advice. We went round the Longslade trail - what a nice little loop! It probably was probably a tiny bit much for him in the wet, what with all the shiny roots, but he got round and rode a couple of bits he didn't think he could, which he was psyched about. He told his mum he had fun so I don't think I put him off for life, winner!
If I'm in the area again I'll definitely head back so I can have a whizz round at my own pace.
Cheers all!
I was riding backwoods on Saturday, it was about the wettest I've ever seen Woburn but still very much rideable. I had a great time sliding about!