Moors Valley Single Track
Discussion
Finally managed to do a full recce around the new single track in the week. It still hasn't had the formal opening (October I believe, with a time trial event).
It is a fast, high grip all weather asphalt surface with some wooden sections (with no chicken wire so could get quite slimey in the wet, they're very wide anyway), the forested sections have some good twisty bits keeping concentration high and the route is mainly flat with small undulations (not much of a climb or descent anywhere), some good flowing sections with well thought out placements of boulders & stumps at the side of the track which will surprise you in mid-flow.
At just over 6km it is a good workout for your head but nothing really intense for your legs or for the upper body, i.e. no huge climb to start, no extremely fast sections requiring huge balls, long travel sus & disc brakes, or a trials section requiring Dougie Lampkin'esk balance and poise. So anyone wanting a pure adrenalin rush shouldn't expect it.
The only passing opportunities are when you hit a fire road/bridleway which is quite often in reality, but with the level of riders probably using it, I would steer well clear in peak times.
Now before anyone jumps at me, no this is not meant to be the South's answer to Afan, It's a family park and it could be done quite easily (slowly) on a hybrid or rigid bike by an inexperienced rider looking to get into MTB, or could be used as an opportunity to get a timid OH interested or somewhere to take your +10 year old young'un if they like (or you want them to like) that sort of thing.
Think of it like a Toy Story film, everyone can get something out of it.
If you pick up the speed the course will challenge & reward, and that means YOU have to pick up the speed not just lay off the brakes a bit.
The big plus for me is I can ride to it from the house do a circuit or two for fun and then ride home all in 2 - 3 hrs.
It is a fast, high grip all weather asphalt surface with some wooden sections (with no chicken wire so could get quite slimey in the wet, they're very wide anyway), the forested sections have some good twisty bits keeping concentration high and the route is mainly flat with small undulations (not much of a climb or descent anywhere), some good flowing sections with well thought out placements of boulders & stumps at the side of the track which will surprise you in mid-flow.
At just over 6km it is a good workout for your head but nothing really intense for your legs or for the upper body, i.e. no huge climb to start, no extremely fast sections requiring huge balls, long travel sus & disc brakes, or a trials section requiring Dougie Lampkin'esk balance and poise. So anyone wanting a pure adrenalin rush shouldn't expect it.
The only passing opportunities are when you hit a fire road/bridleway which is quite often in reality, but with the level of riders probably using it, I would steer well clear in peak times.
Now before anyone jumps at me, no this is not meant to be the South's answer to Afan, It's a family park and it could be done quite easily (slowly) on a hybrid or rigid bike by an inexperienced rider looking to get into MTB, or could be used as an opportunity to get a timid OH interested or somewhere to take your +10 year old young'un if they like (or you want them to like) that sort of thing.
Think of it like a Toy Story film, everyone can get something out of it.
If you pick up the speed the course will challenge & reward, and that means YOU have to pick up the speed not just lay off the brakes a bit.
The big plus for me is I can ride to it from the house do a circuit or two for fun and then ride home all in 2 - 3 hrs.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 24th September 10:57
Is the map out for it yet?
I know the purple and the red, orange walks/rides around the place and have been through the single track bits that have been there for a while... have they connected it all up then into a dedicated cycle route now right?
I live near Hurn airport so a bit too far to cycle too, but I'll check it out soon...
I know the purple and the red, orange walks/rides around the place and have been through the single track bits that have been there for a while... have they connected it all up then into a dedicated cycle route now right?
I live near Hurn airport so a bit too far to cycle too, but I'll check it out soon...
There are some minimal breaks in the tracks as it criss-crosses the other routes and the start points around the visitors centre/Car parks. No map yet that I'm aware off, I'll ask next week. It's fairly obvious where it goes once your on it. It it will just lead you round in a big loop avoiding the play trail & lookout areas.
All of the track is asphalt or wood, I'm fairly new to the area 18mths but it is obvious that it is all brand new, so they may have laid it over existing singletrack routes.
All of the track is asphalt or wood, I'm fairly new to the area 18mths but it is obvious that it is all brand new, so they may have laid it over existing singletrack routes.
Best way to get in to it is from the old railway line that leads away from Ringwood and turn in from there, the ST crosses the forest road a little way in and it saves paying a parking fee should you have to use a car to get there.
On a more serious note, I was googling for this the other day looking to see whether it was oficially open and found something on Bike Radar, I think it was, to the effect that it's NOT going to be one way and IS going to be multi use, even though the money came from funds aimed at cycling. There have already been confrontations on the trail and it looks like cyclists could lose out which would be a pity if true as it's a good starter to get you into "real" mtbing, as opposed to gravel track cycling.
Strange, I was at Glyncorrwg last weekend and wondered what would happen if we had a trail centre in the south.....now I think I know.
On a more serious note, I was googling for this the other day looking to see whether it was oficially open and found something on Bike Radar, I think it was, to the effect that it's NOT going to be one way and IS going to be multi use, even though the money came from funds aimed at cycling. There have already been confrontations on the trail and it looks like cyclists could lose out which would be a pity if true as it's a good starter to get you into "real" mtbing, as opposed to gravel track cycling.
Strange, I was at Glyncorrwg last weekend and wondered what would happen if we had a trail centre in the south.....now I think I know.
Agoogy/itsnotarace:- Agreed, it's not something I'd travel too for 1.5 hrs just for the 6km single track, you'd be better of going to Swinley to the East or Bristol/Wales to the West.
Edit:- Timbo48, yep, I have encountered the odd dog walker on it over the last few weeks, but I tend to go late on or very early and the place is reasonably deserted.
It not being one way will be a right pain in busy periods, can't see there being any horses on it as the track is far too narrow for them, although saying that I did meet a Horse coming down a really narrow section on the Castlemain trail (disused train line) on Saturday Morning, The guy who I was riding with scared the crap out of them as we came round a blind corner and both riders nearly got thrown off, que us two standing in the brambles behind the bikes as the two horses edge past.
Having read the bikeradar comments, if it is multi directional & use it will be impossible to use for it's intended purpose. How on earth is anyone going to build up any level of skill or confidence if they can't concentrate on the trail and are too worried about bikes coming in the other direction at speed or walkers/dogs/kids running all over it, what a waste of £200,000.
Edit: If you want to park for free and ride in, you can park here
50.866471,-1.86374
Follow the path in long the golf course, past the club shop and steam railway to the visitors centre.
Edit:- Timbo48, yep, I have encountered the odd dog walker on it over the last few weeks, but I tend to go late on or very early and the place is reasonably deserted.
It not being one way will be a right pain in busy periods, can't see there being any horses on it as the track is far too narrow for them, although saying that I did meet a Horse coming down a really narrow section on the Castlemain trail (disused train line) on Saturday Morning, The guy who I was riding with scared the crap out of them as we came round a blind corner and both riders nearly got thrown off, que us two standing in the brambles behind the bikes as the two horses edge past.
Having read the bikeradar comments, if it is multi directional & use it will be impossible to use for it's intended purpose. How on earth is anyone going to build up any level of skill or confidence if they can't concentrate on the trail and are too worried about bikes coming in the other direction at speed or walkers/dogs/kids running all over it, what a waste of £200,000.
Edit: If you want to park for free and ride in, you can park here
50.866471,-1.86374
Follow the path in long the golf course, past the club shop and steam railway to the visitors centre.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 24th September 13:51
Well I went for a morning ride up to and round the singletrack and back on Saturday and took my phone with me to get the GPS track this time, the trail starts at 10.8 miles and finishes at 15.2miles , at not a massively fast pace, took just over 29min with two slight detours.
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Oneds/12os...
I was with a group in the week and wasn't paying much attention to directions, just the track, however there are 3 points where there are proper breaks in the singletrack, one quite early on and then two right toward the end with a couple of obvious ones that could be missed at speed mid way through, you have to look out for the 3ft high square wooden posts and large white rocks noting each entry point. After trying to do it in the opposite direction on Saturday I got lost almost immediately when I hit the first fireroad, so I went back to the visitors centre and followed the same route we did previously.
So starting at the bike hire go left past the green gate, go straight-on past the first fireroad on the right and then about 25m further up on the right is the entrance (wooden post & white rocks), most of the track continues directly opposite any fireroads.
The first time you exit a section of singletrack and it doesn't continue directly opposite, turn right, it's about 75m-100m up on the left, opposite a sign post for the lookout.
There are a couple more simpler but nonetheless opportunities to miss the track if your going "hell for leather", one is when you come up right in the corner of a crossroads, the singletrack is diagonally opposite but it's quite a wide intersection so you could take one of the other fireroads by mistake, the second is short pop out on to right side of a fireroad only to duck straight back on to the singletrack about 10m-20m further up, easily missed at speed, then you have two final more distant connections that are not immediately obvious, the first is an exit just to the left of a crossroads, turn right out of the singletrack and go straight on past the crossroads, further up on your left, about 50m (got lost here), is the next entry point, the last point where you can go wrong is again turn right out of the singletrack and it's about 50m up on your left (this where I got lost here both times, this way round and when trying the opposite direction initially).
The singletrack finishes at the exit to the car park.
Second full round, this time on my own was a bit less fun, I suppose having others with you increases the opportunity for challenge and exactness, ie not running into the back of someone or keeping up. As I said before it really is very easy, but a good enough challenge at speed and definitely more fun in a group.
There are still a few signs up saying the track isn't bedded in, this is nonsense, the signs are still up because the forestry commission haven't finished fully marking up the route, apparently they've employed two people to go round to put up the 40 or so sign posts required by hand (and I mean by hand, no power tools whatsoever), anyway if they don't let people use it, it's going to get covered in so much leaf fall in the next couple of weeks and then it definitely will be impossible to see where it goes.
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Oneds/12os...
I was with a group in the week and wasn't paying much attention to directions, just the track, however there are 3 points where there are proper breaks in the singletrack, one quite early on and then two right toward the end with a couple of obvious ones that could be missed at speed mid way through, you have to look out for the 3ft high square wooden posts and large white rocks noting each entry point. After trying to do it in the opposite direction on Saturday I got lost almost immediately when I hit the first fireroad, so I went back to the visitors centre and followed the same route we did previously.
So starting at the bike hire go left past the green gate, go straight-on past the first fireroad on the right and then about 25m further up on the right is the entrance (wooden post & white rocks), most of the track continues directly opposite any fireroads.
The first time you exit a section of singletrack and it doesn't continue directly opposite, turn right, it's about 75m-100m up on the left, opposite a sign post for the lookout.
There are a couple more simpler but nonetheless opportunities to miss the track if your going "hell for leather", one is when you come up right in the corner of a crossroads, the singletrack is diagonally opposite but it's quite a wide intersection so you could take one of the other fireroads by mistake, the second is short pop out on to right side of a fireroad only to duck straight back on to the singletrack about 10m-20m further up, easily missed at speed, then you have two final more distant connections that are not immediately obvious, the first is an exit just to the left of a crossroads, turn right out of the singletrack and go straight on past the crossroads, further up on your left, about 50m (got lost here), is the next entry point, the last point where you can go wrong is again turn right out of the singletrack and it's about 50m up on your left (this where I got lost here both times, this way round and when trying the opposite direction initially).
The singletrack finishes at the exit to the car park.
Second full round, this time on my own was a bit less fun, I suppose having others with you increases the opportunity for challenge and exactness, ie not running into the back of someone or keeping up. As I said before it really is very easy, but a good enough challenge at speed and definitely more fun in a group.
There are still a few signs up saying the track isn't bedded in, this is nonsense, the signs are still up because the forestry commission haven't finished fully marking up the route, apparently they've employed two people to go round to put up the 40 or so sign posts required by hand (and I mean by hand, no power tools whatsoever), anyway if they don't let people use it, it's going to get covered in so much leaf fall in the next couple of weeks and then it definitely will be impossible to see where it goes.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 27th September 00:22
This is the point of view of a serious mountain biker with regards to Moors Valley...
Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
Moors Valley ST is ok if ridden as part of a longer route as we did a couple of weeks ago but I wouldn't put myself out to go there, rather go the other way to Swinley Forest at Bracknell. But anything that gets people into "proper" mtb'ing is a good thing I would have thought. What this will be like at weekends I dread to think but in the evening when everybody's gone home it could be fun. Even Afan has its hold ups but they're usually welcome just to get you're breath back.
Gooby said:
This is the point of view of a serious mountain biker with regards to Moors Valley...
Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
Gooby we are actually saying the samething, although i'm trying to be positive, it's a new track and hasn't been mapped, i'd hate anyone to go there with the intention of having a serious mtb experience, to be honest i have much more opportunity for challenge on the route to & from than the track itself.Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
This isn't a dedicated mtb forum, there are lots of people who drop in here from the car related stuff and are looking for advice and opportunities to learn in a fun and safe environment. Moors Valley would be perfect for them.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 28th September 09:17
OneDs said:
Gooby said:
This is the point of view of a serious mountain biker with regards to Moors Valley...
Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
Gooby we are actually saying the samething, although i'm trying to be positive, it's a new track and hasn't been mapped, i'd hate anyone to go there with the intention of having a serious mtb experience, to be honest i have much more opportunity for challenge on the route to & from than the track itself.Why?
I understand if it on your doorstep then it is a case of why not.
If you have to travel to get there then why not go the extra few miles and get some decent riding. In South Gorley, west end of Mockbeggar Lane there are some great rides. Or go the other way and get into the purbecs. literally hundreds of miles of cycling from firetrails to sublime singletrack. Wearham forest is also good with local races held there. You also dont have to pay for parking.
Please understand, I dont want to be critical of Moors Valley, just point out there is far better rides close at hand and propper riding at Moors Valley is probably dangerous as the intended client at Moors is families and strollers.
This isn't a dedicated mtb forum, there are lots of people who drop in here from the car related stuff and are looking for advice and opportunities to learn in a fun and safe environment. Moors Valley would be perfect for them.
Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 28th September 09:17
Wasnt really trying to deter people from Moors Valley, just make sure they knew what they were in for when/if they arrive.
Pulling the full susser off the back of the wagon, clipping into SPD, putting your full face helmet, knee pads and camelbak... You would probably be as welcome as a fully armed stormtrooper in a playground.
Taking the hardtail and your 8year old for play to get him into cycling would be perfect!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff