Mountain Bike Trails?

[Taz46]

Hi guys,

im just starting to get into mountain biking, i live in East Anglia and as such the nearest forest to me with mountain bike trails is Thetford forest. i have done both the red and black route(the two most challenging routes)numerous times so am starting to get 'bored' of them. looking for any other good places to go? i dont mind traveling however i would like to know of any places near..ish! i live in a village near kings lynn as a reference point. any help greatly appreciated.

[spdpug98]

You could have a look on www.moredirt.co.uk I have used this site in the past when away on business to look for local trails http://www.moredirt.co.uk/region/United-Kingdom/tr...

[PST 1]

Taz46 said:

Hi guys,

im just starting to get into mountain biking, i live in East Anglia and as such the nearest forest to me with mountain bike trails is Thetford forest. i have done both the red and black route(the two most challenging routes)numerous times so am starting to get 'bored' of them. looking for any other good places to go? i dont mind traveling however i would like to know of any places near..ish! i live in a village near kings lynn as a reference point. any help greatly appreciated.

I know the feeling, I live in Bury and would like to find somewhere different to go. I did go to Thetford yesterday and did the red short route then the black, it was a pure mud bath!!!!

[Louisa911]

Just looked at a video of Thetford Black route on Youtube, looks like a strange grading system they have on those trails? Looks more like a green or mild blue unless they missed a lot of it out...?

[AVeryNaughtyBoy]

Louisa911 said:

Just looked at a video of Thetford Black route on Youtube, looks like a strange grading system they have on those trails? Looks more like a green or mild blue unless they missed a lot of it out...?

I believe that the Thetford black is graded based upon "The Beast of the East", which is the main down hill. It is more challenging than the rest of the route but certainly would not achieve black (or even red) anywhere else.

I was heading to that area once and chucked my bike in for a lap of what is talked about as a challenging route. I was thoroughly unimpressed and, had I not been in the area anyway, I would have been regretting driving there.

If I lived a few km away it would make a good midweek off road fix, but I would be heading away at the weekend in search of something better.

The three comparable concepts that I have experience of are Cannock, Sherwood Pines and Thetford. Cannock is miles ahead of Sherwood, which is in turn miles ahead of Thetford.

[Louisa911]

Ah right, interesting to see anyway, I doubt it would achieve a blue at Glentress nevermind red or black- but does look like quite a fun course if you can keep your speed up.

[Taz46]

Thanks for the posts, the website is very useful. going to look into making a trip to Cannock soon. any recommendations on trails there?

[tjdixon911]

I live fairly local to Thetford, when I first started riding it was fine, used to go week in, week out on the Black/Red runs, its great for a quick blast when time is not on your side. Avoiding the marked Routes (more over the Brandon Country Park Side) there are a few decent runs which generally are less Boggy due to the fact there not used so much, its just a matter of finding them but worth an explore.

As for other stuff in the area / region - there are some runs around Sherringham way, its supprisingly hilly round there with some good runs, again not marked so its a matter of going with experienced / local people.

There is also Chicksands and Woburn Sands (not been) which are worth a visit, but probably not so much if you just want to get some miles in as there not really XC places.

There are also some short runs in Mousehold heath in Norwich, again its knowing where to find them and also avoiding all the dog mess!

We visited Bedgebury in Kent last week which was a good laugh, it didn't take much more then 2hrs to get too (from Mildenhall), probably similar to Cannock (not been, but is next on the radar) I would imagine.

[Omaruk]

Taz46 said:

Thanks for the posts, the website is very useful. going to look into making a trip to Cannock soon. any recommendations on trails there?

A few vids I made of the monkey trail at Cannock which will give you an idea


http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5F64F5466E...

Edited by Omaruk on Thursday 3rd March 16:59

[Zippee]

If you're prepared to travel a little then Epping Forest is fantastic, loads of single track and fireroads. Just be aware that it can get extremely boggy in places though a lot of it is wet weather accessible.
As for Thetford, I used to love it, particularly the undulating single track that you pumped your way through. I could get a fair speed without turning a pedal with the right technique.
Northdowns and Chilterns are brilliant, though a fair bit further away. One of my favourites though has always been the Peaks, starting off in Castleton and heading out.
Chicksands I've not been to but the carpark is always full of MTBers when I drive past. It is small though and IMHO more suited to jumping and playtime than meaningfull XC.

[Taz46]

Thank you guys for the suggestions. the videos look great fun . looking forward to going to cannock now! hopefully within the next couple of weeks. cheers again.

[paulmoonraker]

Chicksands is no good for XC... However, its a great gas with your mates (the dual and 4 track is brilliant)... Epping has some great routes...

[Engineer1]

Cannock Chase is either Follow The Dog or add on The Monkey either way you start off on the Dog, the start is over buy the bike shop + bike sculpture thing under the Go Ape, it isn't the easiest start to find if you don't know. Take £3 for parking at Cannock and there is a bike wash there as well.