Pedalabikeaway - Forest of Dean
Discussion
I went to the FoD a few years ago before the new blue trail had been finished, but the red XC and black trails were well established and open.
Red trail is nice, a few short grunty climbs and a few technical sections, overall flowy and nice to ride but you will work up a sweat!
The black runs start at the top of a big hill, I believe there is an uplift service but I went early in the morning so had to pedal up the fireroads. To give you an idea it took about iirc it took about 20 mins to ride to the top on the fireroad and about 3 mins to descend it!!
Nice place, you will enjoy it!
Red trail is nice, a few short grunty climbs and a few technical sections, overall flowy and nice to ride but you will work up a sweat!
The black runs start at the top of a big hill, I believe there is an uplift service but I went early in the morning so had to pedal up the fireroads. To give you an idea it took about iirc it took about 20 mins to ride to the top on the fireroad and about 3 mins to descend it!!
Nice place, you will enjoy it!
there was a thread a few weeks back talking about FoD but to summarise;
blue trail is excellent, last 3kms is proper lunatic territory
red trail is rooty and technical
locals are thieving
s
cafe does excellent egg and bacon rolls
Often used by BC mtb development squad, they are bloody quick...
blue trail is excellent, last 3kms is proper lunatic territory
red trail is rooty and technical
locals are thieving
scafe does excellent egg and bacon rolls
Often used by BC mtb development squad, they are bloody quick...
Thanks guys - sounds like the red trail would be ideal, I'm not into massive jumps and berms on the big downhills, I much prefer technical singletrack. Hopefully I won't die too badly!! Hills and rubbish legs are my 2 worst enemies 
Out of interest, when you say thieving locals can you expand? Is the car park a reasonably safe place to leave the car as long as nothing is on show?
Out of interest, when you say thieving locals can you expand? Is the car park a reasonably safe place to leave the car as long as nothing is on show?
Seriously do the blue, the red is fine but it's not a fun as the blue which has lots more flow.
the Freeminers (red) is great if you are trying to beat your own time over technical stuff, but if you are out for a blast go Verderer's (blue), you'll have sweeping berms huge rollers and a grin slapped across your face.
the Freeminers (red) is great if you are trying to beat your own time over technical stuff, but if you are out for a blast go Verderer's (blue), you'll have sweeping berms huge rollers and a grin slapped across your face.
the blue trail is way more fun than the red, the blue is 10kms but there are only two short climbs and the final 3km is all downhill back to the trail head, massive grins all round.
As for the crims, loads of people leave their bikes outside the cafe unlocked, locals just turn up, wait for the owner to wander into the cafe, pick the bike up and ride off quickly round the corner to a waiting car. Its not like its the centre of town so you should expect to be able to leave a bike unlocked there for a few minutes to get a coffee etc. I've had people start talking to me in the car park too, hang around as you unload, usual suspect stuff "nice bike mate, whats it worth" etc
As for the crims, loads of people leave their bikes outside the cafe unlocked, locals just turn up, wait for the owner to wander into the cafe, pick the bike up and ride off quickly round the corner to a waiting car. Its not like its the centre of town so you should expect to be able to leave a bike unlocked there for a few minutes to get a coffee etc. I've had people start talking to me in the car park too, hang around as you unload, usual suspect stuff "nice bike mate, whats it worth" etc
Eddh said:
Is he colour blind?
The blue run does have a short red section in it
Guess he must be The blue run does have a short red section in it
He is sort of local having lived for years in Ledbury, Gloucester and now Caerphilly! I'll have a word.
I'm in Cambs so have a 3 hour drive there so no idea if he's telling the truth or not
Can I just confirm the details of the risks of theft in the FoD please? I fancy taking my family there but I am (now) worried about coming back to the car and finding the windows smashed or the towbar mounted bike carrier missing. It's a Thule rack, which is locked-on but that probably wouldn't deter someone with tools.
Is it *just* bikes they take? In which case we'll always be with ours. Or are your cars, their contents and racks at risk too?
Is it *just* bikes they take? In which case we'll always be with ours. Or are your cars, their contents and racks at risk too?
Its an alright centre, TBH I've had better times at Afan / Cymcarn / BPW etc but I think that's just me. When its wet its really slippy and muddy, when its dry its good fun. My main beef with the place is that the café / carpark is always rammed, the locals scumbags will indeed rock up and nick bikes at will, there are always people in the way of the uplift truck (as in just hanging out in the road) and that there isn't that much elevation (not enough to call it a proper DH venue) The DH tracks are rooty, off camber nastiness, and there is a nice road gap near the bottom of the main lines.
The XC blue is good fun, just get used to slowing down to get past fat knackers bumbling along if you go at the weekend.
The shop is ok, carries a reasonable amount of spares etc, one word of warning - Don't go if there is a race on as the place will be having and parking will be non-existant.
Still not sure if I like the place or not, I'll have to pop over again and have another go...
The XC blue is good fun, just get used to slowing down to get past fat knackers bumbling along if you go at the weekend.
The shop is ok, carries a reasonable amount of spares etc, one word of warning - Don't go if there is a race on as the place will be having and parking will be non-existant.
Still not sure if I like the place or not, I'll have to pop over again and have another go...
Eddh said:
Zippee said:
Out of interest, when you say thieving locals can you expand? Is the car park a reasonably safe place to leave the car as long as nothing is on show?
No 1000 times.People will rock up - nick stuff and drive away.
Don't underestimate the blue run - it is awesome fun!
Watchman said:
Can I just confirm the details of the risks of theft in the FoD please? I fancy taking my family there but I am (now) worried about coming back to the car and finding the windows smashed or the towbar mounted bike carrier missing. It's a Thule rack, which is locked-on but that probably wouldn't deter someone with tools.
Is it *just* bikes they take? In which case we'll always be with ours. Or are your cars, their contents and racks at risk too?
you should be fine, its just opportunistic really, they see stuff unattended and pinch it, they are highly unlikely to go for kids stuff or break into a car when there is far easier pickings to be had.Is it *just* bikes they take? In which case we'll always be with ours. Or are your cars, their contents and racks at risk too?
Usget said:
Eddh said:
Zippee said:
Out of interest, when you say thieving locals can you expand? Is the car park a reasonably safe place to leave the car as long as nothing is on show?
No 1000 times.People will rock up - nick stuff and drive away.
Don't underestimate the blue run - it is awesome fun!
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