I've got the opportunity of a new job which would involve moving from close to Brighton (hence the south downs on the doorstep) to being based in Daventry hence am considering living in a medium sized village somewhere within 30 mins or so drive.
Does anyone live or has lived in the area and has an advice on whether it's a generally "good" area to live, and also more importantly is there any mountain biking to be had?
I'm in the process of deciding about this and so have created a new log in for this post as I'd rather my current work don't find out about this via someone putting two and two together!
Buy a road bike.
No.
Next question? 8)
As Jamie says, a mountain bike may not be the best two-wheeled instrument for local riding unless you like grinding round the edge of fields. No doubt people will tell you how well positioned you are to drive to lots of places within 1-2hrs. Depends what you want really.
Yep, It's a dump 🙁
Not much locally worth making a special journey for.
But there are patches that are ok if you live there. However, you wont be far from good places like Woburn and its not much further to Cannock, Ladybower, Chilterns - so its not that bad.
The surrounding villages are fine.
Daventry is just a typical small town with no reason to live there, Northampton is a large shite town.
I grew up in a Northamptonshire village, perfectly pleasant though unexciting. But unless you're happy to drive to Woburn or further afield, it's rubbish for MTBing - our local farmer used caterpillar tractors because wheeled ones would have got stuck in the clayey mud. I now live in Brighton!
As others have mentioned crap for mountain biking though plenty of quiet roads for road biking. I count Cannock chase as my local.
Hmphhhhh - guess it's a matter of prioritisation then!
Quite shockingly other factors than local biking seem to be a factor, I just can't get quite decide on how the quality of life / income / great career opportunity etc thing actually balances out in this case
Depending on your budget for buying/renting somewhere to live, I'd have a look at living in or around Leamington Spa. It's not got any real mountain biking handy but at least it's a nice place to be, good places to eat, drink, shop, etc. plus good links on the train and motorway. Also may be worth looking at Southam and some parts of Rugby.
Also, once you go south and cross the M40 there's actually some 'good' road biking, lots of very quiet country lanes through farmland and villages, etc.
Aside from biking there are worse places to live.
As said above, many of the villages are quite pleasant and outside of the main towns it very quickly becomes rural (in a rolling farmland sense). It's possible to live in a small village but still have relatively easy access to in-town amenities. You can position yourself as close to Birmingham as you probably are to London at the moment if you want/need a bigger city. Motorway connections (M1/M40/M42) and mainline train connections (from Rugby/Coventry/Birmingham etc) can also be pretty good if these are a priority.
Thanks all. Are there any clubs nearby - I saw that there used to be a "Daventry Cycling Club" and a MTB club in Rugby - are they still going / nice groups?
I really don't know how leisure lakes Daventry survives, but it seems to manage so well.
I'm a Southam living person (on the edge of Northamptonshire) It is mostly field edge riding I'm afraid.
Don't move to Woodford Halse
Dav is rubbish tbh, not awful. Just a bit crap.
Leamington is ok. Can't believe someone suggested Southam, if your toes aren't joined more than they should be don't go there.
And as others have said. Buy a road bike, pleasant enough roads kept me going for years. Peak District is.easy enough on the M1 too. Don't bother with the crick junction, sneak on at Watford Gap services.
If it ever dries out, Badby woods has some jump bits.
http://www.****/news/article-2027167/Cara-Scott-David-Golding-gave-herpes-want-me.html#axzz2Jfv591Zi
The Daily Mail provides
To be fair, it's better than Peterborough (inc. the herpes) 🙂
Point taken
Born and raised just outside Daventry (Flecknoe)- the best that can be said for it is that is just inoffensive. I would look to live in one of the villages between Daventry and Banbury. Newnham, Badby, Byfield, Culworth, Chipping Warden etc all very nice. Something like a cross bike would be best to get the most out of the lanes and bridlways.
The surrounding villages are fine.
Daventry is just a [s]typical[/s] small SHITE town with no reason to live there, Northampton is a large shite town.
FTFY
There are worse places - Daventry is not that bad. Coach and Horses used to be quite good
I recommend 'zoo' for a night out
Does Fridays still existed in Dav? It was always good in a really bad way.
When I lived there I rode either in Badby woods or Harlston Firs, neither of which were great. In fact if you ride the firmer and see a guy called James Burton tell him Steve from uni says hello!
It's the dullest place to live. Nothing going on there at all. Nothing to do, nothing to see. Villages separated by farmland separated by small towns separated by more farmland.
Im northamptonshire born and bred, not that bad, I really enjoy all the bridleways near me (kettering). I thought this was Single Track World not need to ride on a purpose build trail center world. There are always rides, you just have to explore and find them.
To be fair, it's better than Peterborough (inc. the herpes)
Hey! I will have you know we have the finest herpes!
Cheeky monkey.
I had an ex who lived there, and I found it all a bit hillbilly.
That's coming from a Welshman!
I find myself becoming homesick for Daventry - how weird is that!
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I remember riding my old Marin Bear Valley round King's Heath back in the early 90's. It must have been one of the earliest council provided MTB centres in England. Can you still ride there?
Beefheart - i think your confusing Daventry with Kettering.
I know the area well, still work there but live in Rutland.
Good local club: Tredz, ride wednesdays and sundays
Harlesdon Firs is the local offroad spot
Brampton Valley Way: ex railway line path, you can cycle to Market Harborough for training
Saints rugby
Take care with which part of town you go for, the populations vary considerably. Avoid town centre and maybe consider being on the Daventry side of town to shorten commute.
Beer and night life is OK. Good rock-jazz, Ginger Pig band play every last Saturday of the month at the Picturedrome. Nice blokes too.
Cheap (reduced?) English shoes at the factory shops of Church's, Cheaney, Crocket and Jones
Lived in Daventry about 13 years ago, see no reason why it would be any better now... There was a huge barrets sign for a new development under 5ft of water for a while....
Rugby also Sh*te
Villages have some nice pubs but thats about it, when the M1 gets closed don't expect to get anywhere, M6 closing round M1/A14 same thing. (this happened a lot)
Cannock as a local is a positive (not much of one as the toll or M6 will take your soul shortly before you realise it's average with no real hill)
Whilst I don’t know Daventry, there’s plenty of good riding to be had in Northamptonshire and it’s not all muddy fields!
You won’t find any super steep techy gnar, but there’s plenty of trails to be found and some of it is surprisingly good fun. More importantly there’s a thriving MTB scene in the area with clubs such as Rugby Velo, Godiva Trailriders and CATS MBC as well as loads of more informal groups that meet every weekend for a ride.
The Friday Night Summer Series claims to be the longest running XC series in the UK, is really friendly and well run, and this year’s series kicks off in Daventry!
Im live in Daventry and find the riding ok, there are plenty of bridleways that can be linked up to make some pretty decent routes.
Sure its not the alps or lake district but ive never had any problems with locals etc.
Like any town they have their bad points but ive never had any problems.
Leisure lakes do rides out on a Tuesday and Thursday and there is also Treads MTB club in Northampton.
If you have a car/ transport there is cannock chase in about an hours drive as well as chicksands etc.
If you want to send me a PM i can send over some routes we do if it helps?
FNSS race series excellent. Chicksands and Woburn an easy drive. Loads of good quiey-tiny-lane road riding. And if you're just passing through for a year or two, how about living on MK to experience how good a 'new town' can be (and then you can ride to Woburn)...
I personally don't mind Northampton it's always been a good night out and had some really good venues (roadmenders, king billy, racehourse). There's Towcester which is ok and not too far from Dav. Riding is a bit sparse mind
From near Brighton to Northampton - it would have to be a VERY good job.
Shirley for career development opportunities, being in a better place to get into London is more important.