MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Hi Guys
I am moving to Buckinghamshire early next year (yes another South African leaving SA) I will be staying in Aylesbury, I was wondering what the local mountain bike scene is like. I am particularly interested in Marathon and Endurance type racing, and not really into “trail free/down hill type stuff”
Anyone know what the local race scene is like in this area?
Try Summit MTB.
Its close to the Chilterns - lots of good XC type riding there. Your 2 hrs. from Wales, even more there.
Loads of XC, buy the OS 1:25000 maps of the area.
You can ride from Aylesbury practically off-road all the way to the Chilterns plus the canal to Tring.
You can ride from Aylesbury practically off-road all the way to the Chilterns
Can you?
How do you do that?
Thru Fairford Leys, to the football fields. Take the footpath around the back of the hotel/manor and cross the road and take the lane by the pub. This eventually comes out into Bishopstone. Cross the road and head south on a bridle way. Comes out on a b-road and follow aiming east. Cross the main road and up the hill/chiltern escarpement.
Thanks for the feedback, so basically not a bad place to live for mountain biking.
What about the local race scene (is there a local race scene)
[i]Thru Fairford Leys, to the football fields. Take the footpath around the back of the hotel/manor and cross the road and take the lane by the pub. This eventually comes out into Bishopstone. Cross the road and head south on a bridle way. Comes out on a b-road and follow aiming east. Cross the main road and up the hill/chiltern escarpement. [/I]
Sorry, that was from memory.
Thru Fairford Leys, to the football fields. Take the footpath around the back of Hartwell House and cross the A418 and take the lane (Sedrup) by the pub. First left when in fields into Bishopstone. Cross (left then first right) the road and head south on a BW (North Buckinghamshire Way).
Eventually you get to a left BW, follow and then across the minor road (Kimble Wick). Then footpath across fields and past Kimblewick Farm and onto Smokey Row.
Across the B4009 and upto Great Kimble. Right onto the A4010 (pavement) and first left is a BW climbing the Chilterns.
Lots of options heading north, south or east.
For racing the Gorrick series are probably nearest to you.[url= http://www.gorrick.com/index.php ]Gorrick[/url]
Lots of good riding around the Bucks Herts area.
Ashridge near Berkhamsted, fairly flat but plenty there.
Aston Hill near Tring, Something fore everyone. DH XC 4X you name it. Dont underestimate the XC loop proper climbing and root city.
Short drives to:
Woburn
and also the Cotswolds - opposite direction
The riding for 30 miles is pretty good considering the lack of elevation compared to 100 miles north or 100 miles west. Coombe hill/Wendover/Aston Hill, Dunsmore, Whiteleaf, Watlington, Woburn, Dunstable Downs are great destinations for XC loops, or join up for a bigger day. You could ride the whole 88km Ridgeway if able and willing. For the kind of stuff you talk about and to help you find your way around, I'd check out BucksMTB. Was my playground when I lived there as a child, and though whilst I often deride it, I have some affection for Aylesbury. Enjoy exploring.
i realise you are a year away yet, but the chilterns is minging right now.
after you arrive check the conditions before your first ride, could put anyone off for life
summitmtb
bucksmtb
buckinghambikes in aylesbury
gorrick and possibly still lotts wood for a racing scene
There's a local group in Wendover that get out ride once/twice a week. Wendover and Halton Cycling club. They are a bit more active than bucks mtb club.
Good bike shop in Tring. Mountain mayhem.
Yeh as other have said. Some good xc loops about and a few fun little hidden singletrack sections if you know where to look. Loads of pubs and coffee cake shops to stop at!
Chilterns:
North - https://www.strava.com/activities/13754703 & https://www.strava.com/activities/13754369
Middle - https://www.strava.com/activities/13754678
South - https://www.strava.com/activities/13754689
Big loop - https://www.strava.com/activities/13755904
In the summer its great round there
In the winter you'll ride on the rode or take you bike to Woburn
There in't really a local race scene but there are loads of nationwide and the UK being compact you'll get to plenty of events. For example look at the Scott MTB marathons
I've done this event a few times, always enjoyed it. Unfortunately it starts near Harefield/Denham and rides out to Wendover rather than the other way around;
http://www.bucksoffroadsportive.co.uk/