Trails near Bristol

[markcp]

Hi,

I'm at the inlaws in Bristol this weekend so its a good opportunity to do some decent mountain biking (I live in Cambs where its pretty limited!).

I've boiled it down to 3 options; Cwmcarn, FoD or a loop around Cheddar (as in the MBR trail guide) as I don't have time to go further afield. Does anyone have any recommendations or alternative suggestions?

PS I'm more of an xc rider and actually quite enjoy a bit of climbing so don't want an uplift type day

[missing the VR6]

Both trails at Cwmcarn are way better than FoD, both have pretty tough climbs, the Twrch trail climb is a little more technical in my opinion. It's also less techy on the way down, so could be best if you prefer XC.

[taaffy]

Cwmcarn will satisfy your needs ..

[custardkid]

dont forget to get an hours evening ride around leighwoods ashton court

[anonymous-user]

Avoid the Mendips, the weather has been so bad recently it will be a clag-fest... Ashton Court is dependable but gets dull very quickly due to the lack of any real elevation change. I havent been to leigh Woods for ages so have no idea what its like these days. There are some good trails around North Nibley, about 15 miles north of bristol. STW did a route around there a while back which is worth finding.

Personally I really rate the (blue) Verderers trail at FoD, I think its better than the Twrch trail(give those people some vowels ffs!) at Cwmcarn, all that climbing at the start of the Twrch just drives me mad, its just up, up, up and then down.....sure you get the freeride section at the top which you can ride over and over again and then the long descent to the car park but I think the Verderers rides much better than the Twrch, particularly in bad weather, and the two minor climbs on the Verderers are well spaced out which makes it more enjoyable IMHO. The last 3 kms descent at FoD is epic too and quite a challenge to maintain momentum.

For a 10kms loop, the Verderers is surprisingly easy to get round quickly and you can do the first 7kms again, then try one of the black runs, all of which are rideable without body armour etc and whilst keeping your wheels on the ground. You can easily manage two laps in 1 1/2 hours, for a XC purist, FoD all the way.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 21st August 09:58

[markcp]

Thanks for the responses. I grew up near Cwmcarn and used to ride that valley well before the trail centre was even dreamt of and used to race in the FoD an equally long time ago. Which ever I plump for I'm pretty certain I'll notice a change!

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

f you end up staying local then Leigh woods, Ashton Court and 50 acre wood are worth a couple of hours of running around. All very close to each other