Shewod pines

[ecsrobin]

So having recently moved from being close to Swinley forest I'm now just round the corner from Sherwood pines and I'm probably going to head out to explore it tomorrow. I believe it's the Kitchener trail I'll be looking for.

However I was just wondering if anyone's a local up that way and is interested in going out for a ride sometime? Or have any tips for other local spots.

[ecsrobin]

So no locals to the pines I'm guessing?

[d8mok]

I'm fairly local. In Chesterfield. Itll be very muddy this time of year. I'm hopefully gonna get up there one Friday soon if that's any good. I only get Friday's off work.

[russ_a]

I'm local, I've only been a handful of times but can confirm it will be muddy!

I would also recommend going outside of peak hours too.

[anonymous-user]

bit a hard course pretty flat, cannock chase is better for variation.

it is good i live near cannock but been about 5 times, i can see how it gets muddy thou.

[ecsrobin]

russ_a said:

I'm local, I've only been a handful of times but can confirm it will be muddy!

I would also recommend going outside of peak hours too.

I'll prepare for mud then! Going to give it a bash tomorrow if the weather looks ok.

[ecsrobin]

d8mok said:

I'm fairly local. In Chesterfield. Itll be very muddy this time of year. I'm hopefully gonna get up there one Friday soon if that's any good. I only get Friday's off work.

Sounds good my shifts vary quite a bit but would be nice to meet other PH members up here now I'm too far away from the south coast PH members.

And of course I mean sherwood.

[BadgerBenji]

There is a cycle club that runs from the shop, they have regular rides aimed at differing levels. It's apparently very wet round there at the minute, but they have had some recent working parties to improve it.

[russ_a]

Welcome to the east midlands, there are quite a few bike trails around plus a few decent country parks.

However, some of the woods locally are used for other more adventuress outdoor activities!

[ecsrobin]

russ_a said:

Welcome to the east midlands, there are quite a few bike trails around plus a few decent country parks.

However, some of the woods locally are used for other more adventuress outdoor activities!

Well I am looking to meet new people

[louiebaby]

Used to live near as a kid. Have they opened up the old WW1 training trenches, or are they still a "secret"?

(They may have seemed bigger and cooler as an impressionable 14 year old.)

[andySC]

I ride at Pines quite a bit. As mentioned earlier it's pretty much pan flat. It's a "red" route in name only as there isn't any technical or testing segments on the route. The joy for me is to go there on my hardtail or cyclocross & ride it flat out for a few laps.That's a good workout & great when the roads are filthy. It's a dustbowl in the summer & a slop fest at this time of year. The cafe is great & there is a bike shop on site if you need any bits & bobs. During the winter the car park closes at 6 except on Wednesdays when it's 10pm....

Edited by andySC on Tuesday 11th November 08:52

[TedMaul]

I ride there a bit, probably every other weekend, its a good place to think, it can get busy and watch out for poorly advertised events which close the trails, eg I think there is a car rally on 23/11. Nothing on their website as usual and have just dropped them a mail asking to confirm. It is simply superb if you have kids, the toilets are clean albeit fking freezing in the winter but the café is spot on. Bike wash is dear at £2 a pop but parking is only £4 all day.

Green trail - about 5km, solid surface suitable for pushchair and wheelchairs
Blue is 10km, good as a starter for kids or a warm up/down for others, does get very muddy and waterlogged and they have used sand to stop erosion, but also stops bikes very abruptly if you don't see it coming!
Red is about 15kms now they have extended it, no real gradient, but its a good laugh and serious muddy in the depths of winter.Its not full on sludge yet, but its getting there and its fantastic. In dry summer I can do 3 laps, in the midst of winter, one red and a blue is hard enough work but im 43 and not that fit!

I like the place, it got me back into proper riding, the bike paths are free from walkers and dogs (aside from the odd numpty who cant read)

Degla is my fave place to ride, but there will always be aplace ion my heart for Sherwood, its fun, friendly, good facilities and family focussed

[ecsrobin]

TedMaul said:

I ride there a bit, probably every other weekend, its a good place to think, it can get busy and watch out for poorly advertised events which close the trails, eg I think there is a car rally on 23/11. Nothing on their website as usual and have just dropped them a mail asking to confirm. It is simply superb if you have kids, the toilets are clean albeit fking freezing in the winter but the café is spot on. Bike wash is dear at £2 a pop but parking is only £4 all day.

Green trail - about 5km, solid surface suitable for pushchair and wheelchairs
Blue is 10km, good as a starter for kids or a warm up/down for others, does get very muddy and waterlogged and they have used sand to stop erosion, but also stops bikes very abruptly if you don't see it coming!
Red is about 15kms now they have extended it, no real gradient, but its a good laugh and serious muddy in the depths of winter.Its not full on sludge yet, but its getting there and its fantastic. In dry summer I can do 3 laps, in the midst of winter, one red and a blue is hard enough work but im 43 and not that fit!

I like the place, it got me back into proper riding, the bike paths are free from walkers and dogs (aside from the odd numpty who cant read)

Degla is my fave place to ride, but there will always be aplace ion my heart for Sherwood, its fun, friendly, good facilities and family focussed

Cheers for the responses everyone. This is encouraging to read about lack of hills as since I've moved up to the East Midlands ive become partial to sweets so the pounds are getting on so doubt I'd get up a hill in my current state. Think I'll go after lunch and see how I get on and I've looked into the local club seems exactly what I'm after. Hopefully then I may become slim again.

[Dixie]

How did you find it?

I need to have a good bash at it flat out on the cross bike. I cant remember it being overly muddy last winter.

[ecsrobin]

Dixie said:

How did you find it?

I need to have a good bash at it flat out on the cross bike. I cant remember it being overly muddy last winter.

Just comes no here to report back.

I enjoyed myself considering I haven't exercised in about 6 months. And it shows!!!! I initially joined the blue/ green route as I got lost trying to find the red route. So followed the green around until I got to post 16/17 of the red did that (avoiding 18) back to the car park and found the start of the red. Was drier than I expected with just the odd puddle or a few metres of mud. Half way round was when it started to get worse in sections. As soon as your in between the very wooded sections it's a mud bath was struggling to get traction and at about post 14 I think I actually walked for a bit as it was easier than trying to push my luck clipped in. As soon as your into the open sections it was dry with the odd puddle. Again I avoided section 18 as I'd heard that it was very wet there and had seen a photo of the puddles being a couple of foot deep. Overall 1hr30m which I don't think was too bad for how unfit I am and going slightly slower due to not knowing what to expect ahead.

Then the rain came, and whilst I had my coat in my bag and a light I decided the failing light and weather was a good time to call it a day.

Overall I was impressed considering how flat it is. Coming from a regular at Swinley where 1 hill still sees me walking up it I found the climbs refreshing. I also found it a new challenge, for those that haven't ridden Swinley it's very smooth with fast burms and flowing jumps which suited my riding style. I found some nice drop offs, rock gardens which I've never experienced and just slightly more challenging surfaces for pedalling.

I'll certainly be back on a regular basis and next time I'll do the red followed by the blue I think and once my fitness increases (will be riding to work to help) then I'll look to join the local club