Skip to main content

November Sun- Midlands style

UK Riding in the Forest of Dean

I've been in the UK for a few weeks now and have ridden some of the classic loops that Herefordshire, Shropshire and other locations have to offer. This last week I have been on girlfriend duty and the week before I was in a North Wales getting very wet whilst doing my International Mountain Leader Summer Training.

After the first frost of the year it was with some relief, that the sun came out for a spectacular Autumnal ride in the singletrack haven that is Forest of Dean.  We've been coming here for years and years so I know my way around fairly well.  Last weekend two of the group had been up here exploring around and found some new bits.  It then rained all week so when we were told of, "dry pine woods" in emails we were all still very much interested...
Sunshine at the capark

The visitor centre was packed out with all kinds of riders.  Downhillers through XC weekend warriors too novices seeking easy flat riding along the old railway lines.  Since the opening of the Verdeerers trail a few years ago it's been a popular winter riding spot for many many people.  Its a classic UK man-made trail centre.  Great fun when conditions are so soggy, but lacking a little something real.
How many Herefordians does it take to fix a puncture?
Dark woodland singletrack
Dropping in on the Red section


Screaming with fear or joy? both?
The big wheel crew



So after we'd zoomed down the final descent back towards the visitor centre we headed away from the crowds.  Despite the bike area being so busy, its good that only locals or those in the know venture away from the Verdeerers trail as it keeps things quiet.  However as these other trails haven't seen any machine touches (i.e gravel), they do get muddy! But that's real isn't it?

It could be summer but for the stripey socks
After a bonus loop we found the promised dry pine trails and headed off on more classic Forest of Dean singletrack with a super steep and greasy final section.  The faint ribbon we'd undulated along gave false impressions of the trail ending, however the 29ner I was riding handled the steepest bombholes with ease.  My Dad wisely chose to walk down the end bit.
Well earned coffee for my Dad
Dad's Scott 29ner- Fast UK capable trail bike.  It just wants you to go fast everywhere!
November weather in the UK- GREAT
Cleaning bikes at home- NOT GREAT
Bonus loop- NOT GREAT, but the trail after it was worth doing.
Upsetting Wives/GF's- NOT GOOD
Possibility of this being my last ride of the year- NOT GOOD
Possibility of ski-touring in Cham next weekend- GREAT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What guides do between work in the peak of July

Summer is here, and after fantastic spring riding in Southern France and then all over Valais, Aosta and Haute Savoie with good friends it's been time to get back to summer guiding, taking hikers around the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit.  There's much worse things to do, but with three weeks off the bike I was itching to get back on some trails. With a carefully planned week between tours I was excited and made some plans to hit up some classic lines, and some new stuff too. It's mid July now, so in Chamonix valley you have to think carefully about where to go to miss the crowds, and to avoid going on the bike ban trails (July & August).  Luckily it's still easy to find quiet trails in nearby resorts, or to simply drop round the back of a hill away from the frontside lifts. It went a little like this: Day 1- La Thuile with Wayne of newly qualified French legal mountain bike guiding service  Chamonixmtb.com  . Enduro race venue at it's best, rough and raw.
1 comment
Read more

Provence Posing

Early spring road trip with Team NL The Dutchies had work to finish before they'd start the mammoth 14 hour drive from under the sea to herb filled mountainsides.  Work for us guys in the Alps is more seasonal & temporary, as it is for some Easyjet pilots which meant that the native English speakers left for 'The South' a day earlier. Digne les Bains was the rendezvous location for Saturday night but this meant going so close to Gap and Lac Serre Poncon. The lure of a trail in the Haute Alpes ( the northern most department in the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Region ) was too much. 3 of us wild camped lake side with giddy excitement for what lay ahead. Rob & Ben knew each other from ski touring & paragliding, but had never ridden together, nor had Ben ever met team NL.  Rob and I briefed him on the impending fun. In the morning, a classic was called upon to give Ben his first taste of Southern singletrack. Mont Colombus, and a few hours later aft
Post a Comment
Read more

Servoz storm destruction

Deep in Servoz below the Fiz 75% of trail is ok. But where it is washed away is really bad. Click here for photos What rode was as good as ever for this begining/end of season trail 1hour & half pedal from Serviz village.
Post a Comment
Read more