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Ride list
Cowpe: approximately 18miles,40%road,60%offroad. Excellent intermediate ride with steady climb, long down hill and technical section over warrs well.1.5-2 hours depending on level.
The ride starts at Do it all car park, In rawtenstall town centre.ride along the road towards Waterfoot and Bacup until you reach Waterfoot town centre,continue through the traffic lights and take the first right hand turning after the royal pub,sign posted cowpe village.
Follow this road all the way up to the very end of the tarmac roughly 1.5 miles, including the steep section!.This leads to a gate where the road becomes a bridelway leading to a farm about 50 yds further on.Once you have reached the farm turn left up the hill through the gate and on for100yds up to the next gate.
Continue climbing up the bridleway until you reach a right turn with a gate,take this turn then carry on climbing to the top! ,through the gate and have a nice drink and a look back at the climb.From here on follow the bridleway straight on all the way, through the large puddles, for approx 2-3miles.
As the edges of the bridleway start to flatten out, look for some singletrack to the left, take this route and follow it to a short downhill which meets a concrete road.Head left along this concrete road until you come across a well worn singletrack to the left, take this route and head up to a brick well monument type thing!.
This is where it gets technical (2 of our team have rode the hole thing in summer without a FOOT DOWN!!!) Just ride the single track,stones,bricks,stone flags up to the top.It`s impossible to map out, but the route is well worn and impossible to get wrong.
When you`ve reached the top go through the stone posts and head down the "green road" for a long fast downhill all the way to the main road.Turn right down the road and continue on to the mini roundabout in Endenfield centre, turn right and carry straight on until you reach rawtenstall town centre (a large roundabout).Look to your right and you will see Do it all across from the Asda supermarket.That`s all folks!!
Holcombe tower: A nice steady 11miles with a good first climb and fast road descent! 25%road,75% off road.45-75mins
Start off from White Horse pub in Helmshore, ride up the road to the side of pub turning left through large stone posts signed "dowry head".Continue up road until bridleway comes into view on right hand side signed "moor road", then simply! ride up the hill to the top.
Once through the gate at the top follow bridleway along through 2 gates (approx 3miles) until you reach a fork in the path with a bench in between.Take the road to the right and climb up to the tower through 1 gate.
At the tower there are many ways to come down, we tend to take the less technical route of the large dirt track down the winding face to the bottom.Turn left along the track down to the main road and the Shoulder of Mutton pub.Follow the pub car park down the steep road called "hud rake" and keep turning left until you come to the steep last section down into Ramsbottom centre, turn left at the lights, you will see a giant urn on your left.
Ride along this road until you reach a bridge, turn left up to another fork in the road and head right towards the TNT sign. Ride on over speed bumps taking lower road littered with pot holes until you reach another old railway bridge. Continue straight up the hill for about 30yds, until you reach a gate on the right, ride through the gate.
This is the old railway and is about a mile in length with a drop off at the end( this can be bad in winter!). Follow the tracks down to the path along the river and out along the road past some houses, until you reach a mini round about. Keep left till you reach the bridge on the right and turn left again.
Follow this road, it becomes a steep brick bridleway ,through 2 gates until you reach a fork in the road,take the left route and follow this all the way to the main road.
You will find the White Horse pub to your right .enjoy this, we do!
Leckhampton Hill
On top of a large hill, fairly hard climb from bottom to top The terrain is gently rolling once on top of the escarpment in places there is a large amount of erosion which has revealed bed rock, producing some interesting drop offs. The area isn't that large but it is big enough to keep you occupied for a couple of hours. I would strongly suggest riding mid week as it can get very crowded mid week. Also i should point out that in the winter the mud can be horrific, particularly on some of the lower level trails For a particularly good climb, Try Sandy lane:-on the out skirts of Charlton Kings, it is mainly bed rock but there is a smooth line most of the way it does become far harder at the top, You will come to a fork take the left turning over the rocks follow up, a little while later you will come to a second fork (you will be under sme trees by this time) turn right go straight on. The hill will climb rapidly infront of you. at this point you can either go straight on or turn right down a small section of single track through some more trees. If you follow the later follow the track till you reach a bigger path turn left follow the narrow path when the path splits(almost immediately) on your left when the trees disappear will appear a narrow single track that snakes up the side of the hill to the top it is very tight, it can be ridden but it is touch and go if the graound is lose when you make it to the top turn, turn left and you will come out on top of the hill. If however you decide to go straight on you will land up at the same point. as if you took the left turning but miss out on the single track and instead get to climb over some bed rock loose gravel...
How To Get there:
Head south on the Leckhampton road/bath road/old bath road/Cirencester road
Location:Guildford, West Sussex & Surrey
Trail Name:Downs Link Path
Park Name:Weald
Description:
Total Path is around 40 miles. It runs mainly along the path of an old railway line so the gradients are pretty easy. Surface varies from Tarmac/packed chalk/clay. Some short sections are on road but it's a great path for begineers
Major Highlight(s):
It's fairly flat so you can go real FAST, beautiful countryside, long stretches with no need to dismount.
How To Get there:
Head south or north from Guildford along the old railwayline. It's the easiest route to the south coast from SW London.Greg Collins, HORSHAM, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Location:Barnsley,
Trail Name:Brakes?
Park Name:High Green, Westwood
Description:
The difficulty is easy single track and moving up too fast DH and DS tracks that are carved all around the woods. the best place for racing is to start at the Death ramps and ride along the top trail and take a sharp left down a fast bridle way and then take a right at the junction and keep riding until you hit a eroded DH track follow that down until you get onto green grass of the out crop, theres a fork so take the left one enjoy the amazing DH/DS track that we've carved out for fellow MBR's.
Major Highlight(s):
It's right close to a pub and it's in reach of my house, it's also a great place to unwind and enjoy yourselfs.
How To Get there:
From the north. Junction 35a From south. Junction 35a get off the M1 at these junctions and head for the big green tank! turn right at the Tank and park up. Take the bridle way that leads into the woods and enjoy!!.John Bennett, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Location:Between Farnham and Fleet,
Trail Name:Back from Farnham
Park Name:Ceaser's camp
Description:
What can i say 95% downhill on the way there the same but different when you follow the trail back up and it has a bmx track used in international events at the begining and end [the same one].Somthing for every one from the sesoned novice to Palmer himself,brillent!
Major Highlight(s):
It go's down!
How To Get there:
From Farnham high street[Castle street]follow the road past the castle all the way to the t-junction at the end turn left and then park on the rough land immeadiatly to the right.Then ride through the gate and follow the first path on the right.
Chris Bayliss, Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Location:New Forest,
Trail Name:Rannoch Circuit
Park Name:Rannoch Moor - Scottish Highlands
Description:
70 miles total. 38 miles off-road. Most of the route is good hard tracks, but they are rough and very fatiguing. Between corrour station and the start of the Kinlochleven track it is very thin, technical paths, with some pushing. It is very strenuous and very remote indeed.
Major Highlight(s):
The scenery, the isolation and the distance.
How To Get there:
From Fort William head north on the A82 north to Spean bridge. The 'A' road east from Spean Bridge then leads you into the mountains away from civilisation. You will pass a dam on your right, when you eventually reach the end of this reservoir, turn right onto a dirt track leading across the river and into the forest. You will have already done about 20miles on tarmac before beginning this route!!!. Follow the track uphill in the forest, it is very well surfaced as it is used by normal cars. There is one junction, head uphill. You will then reach the forest edge and descend into strath ossian. After strath ossian (staying on the track all the time) you will reach the head of loch ossian and corrour shooting lodge. Take the track to the south of loch ossian to the youth hostel (shed!!!). There are 8foot high fences with locked gates on this section so you must be prepared to lift over these. From loch ossian youth hostel it is only 200m to Corrour railway station where you can buy food and drink. Cross the platforms and you should recognise the hillwalking scene from 'trainspotting'. Follow the thin path north beside the tracks, it will eventually get larger and drops down to loch treig head. Cross the dodgy bridge by the ruined farm. Use the thin track to the north of the stream, heading towards Glen Nevis. This is the crux of the route. At the bothy take the welcome track west towards Kinlochleven, dropping down in a spectacular descent to mamore lodge. get another bit of grub here before climbing again on the track to Bealach Mor. After the summit you will descent towards Fort William, eventually reachin tarmac about 4 miles before the town.Kevin Hodgson, Sheffield, England
Location:Fort William, Scotland,
Trail Name:X-Country & Downhilling Courses
Park Name:Leanachan Forest
Description:
Leanachan Forest has a wide variety of trails, from easy fire trails to technical x-country & downhilling runs. Views of Ben Nevis from some, and forest covers about 60 sq. miles. Work is being done to make trails all-weather, and Britain's longest and highest downhill course is to be extended to the Gondola top station, at over 2000ft above sea level. Do check your brakes first!
Major Highlight(s):
The trails run through a very large forest, with some spectacular views in places. Some of the more technical trails (red routes marked with warning signs) are very challenging, and can have significant length and height loss. It has some very fast fire trail sections, stream crossings, precipitous gorges, 1:2 declines and a totally loopy downhill course. I am fortunate to live right on the edge of the forest, and sometimes go there after work on night rides after work.
How To Get there:
By car from Fort William: go 6 miles north on A82, turn off at Aonach Mor/Gondola ski range to car pk. Trails all begin from car park by centre. By bike from Fort William: north on A82 for 3 miles, turn right at Torlundy sign and continue on narrow road, through car barrier and on to ski ctr. car park.Phil Mordecai, Spean Bridge, Scotland
Location:Harrogate,
Trail Name:Bilton Track
Park Name:Bilton - Knaresborough
Description:
A very short but sweet little track. A scenic route as you come down into Knaresborough town. Asphalt terrain for half of the distance, and concrete or tarmac for the rest. A very easy course. Can be taken at a slow & leisurely pace, or a fast exhillerating pace. Great fun in all conditions!
Major Highlight(s):
It's right next to where I live, and it doesn't take much effort to ride it, either way!
How To Get there:
Simply start in Bilton if you want downhill, or in Knaresborough if you want uphill!Richard Farley, Knaresborough, N. Yorkshire, England
Location:Hawick, Scotland,
Trail Name:Downhills and X-Country
Park Name:Craik Forest
Description:
Four marked trails within the forest. Varying distances, all are shown on info boards at car park. Red route follows international standard X-country ride. Blue route has an immense downhill, just watch out for the telegraph poles!!
Major Highlight(s):
Varied terrain, steep downhills, technical trails and brilliant Scottish scenery only 45 minutes from Edinburgh.
How To Get there:
Follow the main road South from Hawick town centre. After a short while turn right. The forest should be signposted all the way. The car park is just before the village on your left.Billy Bremner, Edinburgh, Scotland
Location:Hawkshead,
Trail Name:Grisedale and Claife Heights
Park Name:The Lake District
Description:
The route follows the forest roads at first, and then onto a bridleway on open moorland, high above Coniston Water, the views are superb. After reaching the old exposed farm house, head back towards the forest edge. Shortly before you hit the trees, turn 9i0 degrees left onto a second muddy track. This leads eventually to the Grisedale forest visitors centre, crossing many forest roads on the way. It is an unclassied road (unsurfaced track) which offers superb descents until the last few yards into the visitors centre courtyard. After having some tea and cakes at Grisedale, climb the evil rocky track directly behind the visitor's centre, this eventually joins a forest road. Go straight on at this road, then sharp left at the first hairpin bend. Just past the sculpture of the fox, the road turns sharp right, you go straight-on, down another 4x4 track descent which is simply superb. After this go left then right then left on tarmac, until you reach Upper Sawrey village, from here various bridleways allow you to explore claife heights. Whichever you chose make sure it brings you out on Windermere lake shore. This allows you to ride the track and admire the views across the lake. If the weather is dry, take the direct bridleway via the 'Eens Tarns and Belle Grange' the rocky 'spiral staircase' leads you very uncomfortably down to the lake shore. When the lakeshore track hits tarmac, bear left through the car park onto yet another bridleway directly on the lakeshore. When this finally ends, you have the choice of small roads back to the car park, or if you want, a quick visit into Ambleside or Hawksheads.
Major Highlight(s):
This trail is special because it offers technical riding combined with spectacular scenery. It is also one of the few lake district rides which is very sheltered, and therefore ideal for bad weather / winter fun.
How To Get there:
The Start of the route is located on the summit of the Hawkshead to Coniston road, on the left hand side just inside the forest.Kevin Hodgson, Sheffield, England
Location:Huddersfield,
Trail Name:South Huddersfield
Park Name:(Near) Peak District
Description:
The trail leaves Tunnel End along the towpath to the railway station (1/2 mile). Right, down hill to Marsden. Follow road to A62, cross, to next junction, turn right. Road comes to roundabout. Left up steep hill (tarmac). After leaving houses, come to reservoirs and bridleway-turn right along it. Bridleway is long gradual climb around the valley to summit at Wessenden Head. At summit, turn left along B6108 (I think) towards Meltham. After cattle grid turn left down a path. Right through gate at bottom. Downhill to crossroads. Go straight on (now on tarmac) and down the hill to Meltham. Brings you to T-junc. behind church. Right up short steep hill. Stop here for drink from local Lodges (Bike park outside). Now continue towards Holmfirth. Right in dip at woods, up gentle hill. Follow road to top where becomes bridleway. At end, cross road onto bridleway going downhill. (V good) At end right down very steep hill. Right over reservoir wall up hill to Holme. Right towards Holme Moss. Over bridge, climb start of hill before immediate left onto track. Follow all way to house on left. Now right up hill to top. Cross road to track down hill. Continue along tarmac, will dissapear soon. When reach end of track at T junc. turn left and go down into Holmfirth. End of ride! Right from Holmfirth brings you to favourite bike shop (X Treme) at Bridge Mills on A6024. Call here for Specialized bits and the rest! Left out of car park will take you along B6107 (or something like) all way to Marsden. Enjoy ride home and savour the excellent ride!
Major Highlight(s):
View climbing to Wessenden. View on descent into Meltham. You can see as far as Pontefract in the East. All bridleways are excellent to ride on. Great chippy to look forward to in Holmfirth. Plenty of cross country and downhill, many off road. Almost no main road riding.
How To Get there:
From Huddersfield take A62 towards Oldham. Follow signs into Marsden. (From Huddersfield, about 6 miles, right into village centre, following signs to "Tunnel End"-a canal centre.) Park car in their car park. TRAIN-Take train to Leeds or Manchester. Followed by train to Huddersfield (every 20 minutes). At Huddersfield change onto train to Marsden leaving at about five to the hour. Get off train at Marsden. Follow towpath (right) to "Tunnel End".
Location:Oldham,
Trail Name:The Quarry
Park Name:The Jumps
Description:
It is quite difficult terrian in winter and quite rockey. In summer the trails are ace. There are quite a few trails here but only short but fast and dangerous! The Quarry itself is disused and we have still a long way to go with the construction of the jumps and trails but in the future lets wait and see?
Major Highlight(s):
The excellent jumps and super trails make it the nearest to Nanmawr Quarry.
How To Get there:
Get to Oldham and head for the Mumps Roundabout. As you come to the roundabout head for Huddersfield on the A62 Huddersfield road.Carry on up the A62 till you come too Tesco's at the traffic lights go straight ahead untill you pass a Shell petrol garage on your left and carry on until you come to a hill go up the hill until you come to some disused traffic lightson your left. As you get here turn left then you should see a sign saying birks quarry and this is it.James Hargreaves, Oldham, lancs, England
Location:Plymouth,
Trail Name:Burrator Bridleways
Park Name:Dartmoor
Description:
The rocky bridleway heads straight up onto South Dartmoor from left of the Norsworthy Bridge car park. Its wide, steep (but not too bad), technical and loose in places. At the top theres a t-jucnction, turn left for a refuel at the famed Plume of Feathers pub in Princetown, turn around to ride the excellent downhill you've just climbed, turn right for an undulating ride to Eylesbarrow tin mine on a good trail. At Eylesbarrow tin mine enjoy the superb, rocky and fast downhill to the scout hut at the bottom. This can be a serious place so take a map (OS Outdoor Leisure no. 28 is best) and relevant safety kit. Suitable for medium ability cross-country right through to hammerhead downhillers who don't mind a climb to get to the start.
Major Highlight(s):
If you know how to read a map a whole load of excellent stuff opens up from here. If you don't go any way because you wont loose the big rocky trails and you can still go back the way you came. This stuff is rideable to most in most places but is best for those that love to push themselves as far as they can go. Trail condition is practically uneffected by the weather as its a well drained rocky surface in most places. Its got to be one of the best areas in the South-West.
How To Get there:
Follow the A386 towards Tavistock from Plymouth. At Yelverton head straight on, on the B3212 towards Princetown, at Dousland take a right and follow signs to the Burrator Reservoir. Keep going to the end of the reservoir until Norsworthy Bridge (GR 568694 on Dartmoor OS map). Alternatively bike up from Plymouth on the Plym Valley Cycle route (You will need a map to navigate to the reservoir from the top of the cycle track)Andrew Wood, Sandhurst , Berks, England
Location:Rhayader,
Trail Name:Elan Valley loop
Park Name:Mid Wales
Description:
Mix of very good tracks with some much fainter grass tracks. Only ocassionally boggy. The very short grass besides the tracks allows for very high speed mistakes without crashing. The longest routes can be extremely hard work and very remote.
Major Highlight(s):
The scenery is stunning. The big moor crossing is so BIG, and the tracks are without doubt the nicest in Wales!!. The final descent into Rhayader is one of the best in Britain.
How To Get there:
Park your car by the Elan village visitors centre. Ride away from the dam through the beautiful village, climb slightly out of the valley. Double back very sharply at hairpin junction. Climb steadily through wood until road flattens. Climb second farm track on right (visible as very steep tarmac climbing to horizon). At top of 1in3 tarmac, track carries straight on. Many loops possible including massive crossing of plateau between Rhayader and Aberystwyth. Just make sure you end the day by descending into Rhayader above the grass ridge just north of the Aberystwyth road, this is the famed 'golf links' descent. Superb ultra fast grass descent with jumps.
Kevin Hodgson, Sheffield, England
Location:Sheffield,
Trail Name:Stanage Old (Long Causeway)
Park Name:Peak District
Description:
Medium/Hard. Usually used as outward and return leg of peak district epics. Rocky eroded descent, rubble and big rocks, all set in loose sand. Originally roman road but now damaged by vehicle use.
Major Highlight(s):
The descents on either side are superb. On the peak district side very rocky, loose and technical. On the sheffield side fast and fun. Excellent start and end to day's mountain biking. Also views superb.
How To Get there:
Travel towards the western edge of sheffield using either the A57 Glossop Road or the cycleway through the parks from Hunter's Bar. Then head towards 'Fulwood','Lodgemoor' and eventually 'Redmires'. As you pass Redmires reservoirs (now on a dead end road), the track continues as the tarmac stops.Kevin Hodgson, Sheffiled, England
Location:Starts at Workington or Whitehaven,
Trail Name:Coast to Coast
Park Name:Northern England
Description:
Extremely hard, especially as you will be mountain biking with luggage. 1st day will be beyond the abilities of most people, and could take 12 hours. Very muddy, much pushing/carrying. Gets easier as you go along. Total 200miles, take 5 or 4 days.
Major Highlight(s):
Despite its difficulties you will experience the best scenery AND best MTB routes in northern england in only 4 days. Very close to the walkers route - PURE.
How To Get there:
Workington start. From Oldside (windmills), follow derwent through seaton mill, low seaton, camerton, clifton, greysouthern, buttermere, honister pass. Whitehaven start. From St.Bees, up Ennerdale to black sail, climb loft beck, and descend along side of Brandreth to top of Honister. Routes join. Descend Honister pass, cross Greenup edge to Grasmere. Climb to Grisedale tarn, descend Grisedale valley to Ullswater. End of day1. Day2 along far shore of Ullswater, at Howtown find bridleway climbing up lower slopes of high street. Reaches Devoke moor, turn right into lower Haweswater valley, then shap, crosby ravensworth fell, orton and kirkby stephen. Ascend and traverse nine-standards rigg to keld. Day 3, through swaledale mines , Richmond, Northallerton, Osmotherly. Day 4, from Osmotherly along northern escarpment of moors, take old railway line to lion in. Take old tracks to eskdale valley, Grosmont etc. Climb out towards fylingdales radar base. Cross moor almost to base boundary. Turn left at trig point and follow 'Robin Hoods Road' (path) to main road, descend into Robin Hoods bay. ENDKevin Hodgson, Sheffield, England