Mountain biking tracks in a 45min radius of Uxbridge Middx?

[Rayhoop]

After being introduced to mountain biking by my wifes' friend's husband... I want more!

We did one of the simple tracks at Grizedale in the Lake District and loved it - it was a shock to the system, as I realised I am so unfit (even the basic course..)

Now the question is.

Does anybody know any good off-road tracks/routes that are not too far from Uxbridge/Middlesex. I dont mind driving 30-45 mins to get there.

And... at those tracks etc, would it be possible to hire a bike? Just that I want to go again asap, but have not got a bike rack for the car (yet)...

Any ideas?

[Planet Claire]

Get yourself over to Bracknell Forrest, or Swinley Forrest as it is properly known, there's a map in the linked website. There's lots of parking at the Look Out and you can spend all day in there without seeing a soul.

[JPJ]

Swinley is the answer as pointed out above, although the area around Leith Hill (Dorking) and the Chilterns around Wallingford are other possibilities if slightly further afield.

With Swinley a lot of the 'good' trails are hidden. Best approach is just to follow a trail and see what happens, or try and get some locals to show you round.

Edited by JPJ on Friday 20th June 13:12

[Rayhoop]

Sweet! will take a look!

also - I remember seeing something mentioned about a track in Princes Risborough? Any ideas?

[Fer]

Aston Hill, near Wendover. (not been there in a while, but was well worth the visit!)

[sjg]

Funnily enough, yes - have lived in Uxbridge a few years now.

For gentle pootling about, a favourite loop is to head up the Grand Union, through Denham Country Park and out to Denham station. Then down the road, pick up a bridleway then road around the back of the aerodrome, before another path brings you back around the other side of it. Then can pick up another path which takes you on a nice loop past fields, almost skirting the M25. Then just meander back, pick up the canal again and home.

Also good for a quick midweek ride without loading the bikes in the car are the woods around Ruislip Lido. It's about 25 mins cycle up to there and lots of woods on both sides of the Lido and either side of Ducks Hill Road to explore. Nothing difficult on either of these rides, but good if you just want a ride off-road without needing to drive anywhere. Some nice pubs around too!

Can dig out tracklogs and run off some maps, or possibly get out and show you around sometime (and reacquaint myself with these!).

Else further afield for proper rides - as mentioned, Swinley Forest is good (bike hire there too through the summer), Chilterns, Aston Hill for DH/jumpy/technical XC, Chicksands for that sort of thing too, and plenty of riding on the North Downs within 45 mins drive.

[john_p]

www.bikely.co.uk
Some route ideas, mostly road but there are some off roads there too.

www.bikehike.co.uk
Puts Google Earth and OS maps on one screen so you can plan a route with bridlepaths and see contours/elevation etc.

Have a look over at Black Park sort of area, that's not far.

Edited by john_p on Friday 20th June 15:15

[Parrot of Doom]

Have a look on the forestry commission website. Theres a cycling button you can click, you can search for forests near you. Each find will detail all trails, lengths, difficulties.

Its a really good website.

[Rayhoop]

Cheers guys! just what I was looking for!
SJ - cheers for the offer, but Id hate to be a burden. I'll take a look at the links and forestry commission site, that should keep me busy for now.

Blackpark sounds good, so does Denham Country Park to start with. Ive not been to the Lido before, might give that a shot too.

To be honest - Im actually in Hayes, so Ive got the Minet Park bike track round the corner and Cranford Woods - but Im always a bit reluctant to venture into Cranford Woods due to 'wild life' Ive encountered there in the past lol.

Im going to track down a Thule rack to carry the bikes on, and get going to the local woodlands!