I’m down south fairly regularly at the moment, and will generally be staying in the Luton area.

I’m planning to stick my bike in the car so I can go for a ride when I’m down over night, but is there anywhere decent to go for a ride of an evening? I’ve ridden Chicksands once, and thought that was OK for a play but can see it getting boring quite quickly if it’s my only option. Woburn seems to be off limits at the moment, and Aston Hill closes at 6ish. Are there any other options?

Plenty of xc rides on bridleway networks in Barton Hills/Lilley/Pirton area. Local mtb ride group http://www.sillygrin.co.uk are quite active over there and chicksands. I also think there is another group from Hitchin too.

Barton hills are ok for general xc, straight out into then from Bushmead and within a mile you can’t see Luton.

Nothing particularly technical but nice for an evening blast.

Plenty of XC and singletrack from Dunstable (Luton really, just sounds nicer :-)) down to Ashridge.

Look at Strava and an OS map.