Hicks Lodge

Hicks Lodge is a great place to visit if you would like to try mountain biking without feeling any of the  anxieties that can face a cyclist when visiting a fully fledged MTB centre for the first time!  It has a couple of trails, a green and a blue, with the blue trail being about five miles of winding singletrack.  Almost all of the trails have easy exit points, making it easy to pause for rests or to allow speedier cyclists through.   There is a parking, toilets and a very nice cafe.   

In terms of challenge, the blue route is very mild, and only slightly more challenging than a regular cycle path that you may find in a town.  As such, it is perfect for families and beginners.  I've visited two or three times now, and I always enjoy the blue route, and the trail has helped me to gain a little more confidence in tackling basic features.

https://www.forestryengland.uk/hicks-lodge/cycling-and-mountain-biking-trails-hicks-lodge

Thetford Forest

Today, I had the pleasure of cycling the 'Lime Burner' red route in Thetford Forest on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.



Despite the car park being incredibly busy, with it being the summer holidays, the trail itself was incredibly quiet - I only saw one other set of cyclists on the entire route around!



I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings of the forest, and the Lime Burner trail was very enjoyable.  At 10 miles, I had enough energy left at the end to explore other areas of the forest.  Of all of the trail centres I've visited, this has to be the flattest; I should probably have expected this with its location.  The section entitled 'The Beast' is the exception, with a wonderful set of challenging gradients to navigate; at the end of The Beast section there is an option to loop back to repeat and I would definitely recommend this.

The Lime Burner trail is designated red, but there are a number of black sections entitled 'pits' along the route for the more experienced riders.






I would recommend a visit to Thetford Forest for any keen cyclist, although it may not perhaps offer the technical challenges of other trail centres.  Also, brace yourself for the car park charges!

Trail Centres

Trail Centres I've visited

As a novice MTB'er, I like to know where I'm going.  I also like to know that I'm cycling on a red or blue route (I know my limits - black or orange is well beyond my capabilities, and green is a little too lacking in adrenaline).  I even like to park in a real car park, taking a strange comfort from paying for a few hours worth of parking.  As such, it is no surprise that I love trail centres.

Most trail centres have well marked trails and a car park.  Quite often, there is a cafe for a cup of hot chocolate (or whatever else is your own personal choice of reward) on completion of the trail.  Trail centres sometimes have a bike hire facility and repair shop - very useful for technical don't-know-hows like myself.

There follows a list of trail centres that I've visited, with just a few of my own thoughts shared.

Cannock Chase

Website: http://www.chasetrails.co.uk
'Follow the Dog' (7 miles) and 'Monkey Trail' (additional 8 miles) are two superb red routes (with optional black sections) found at this superb trail centre.  I love visiting Cannock Chase when I get the chance, particularly enjoying the beautiful woodland scenery and miles of singletrack cycling.  Cannock Chase has the honour of being the first trail centre that I've visited.  Excellent facilities, including a cafe.

Whinlatter Forest

Website:  https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8z4eet
An amazing trail, with incredible views.  Mountain biking through Whinlatter Forest is also officially 'mountain biking' - all of the other routes on this pages should be re-titled 'hill or hillock biking'.  Cycling to the summit (Seat How) has to be one of my favourite cycling experiences.  The Altura trail is 12 miles in length.  Excellent facilities.

Dalby Forest

Website: https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8yzdgq
Currently hosting England's longest red route (21.5miles) in addition to blue, green orange and black routes, Dalby Forest has an incredible range of cycling experiences.  As a family, we loved cycling the two green routes, and I enjoyed disappearing by myself for a few hours to cycle on the blue and red routes.  During our family ride, we enjoyed watching experienced MTB'ers attempting very tricky orange sections.  We also enjoyed watch cyclists soar through the air in Dixon's Hollow bike park.  Superb visitor centre and cycle hire.

Swinley Forest

Website: https://www.swinleybikehub.com
Green, blue and red trails are available at this brilliant trail centre.  Lots to see and do for the whole family.  The red and blue trails are suitably challenging and scenic for a great ride.  Excellent facilities.

Aston Hill (Wendover Woods)

Website: http://astonhillbikepark.co.uk
Whilst there is a 5 mile cross country route that I have enjoyed several times, Aston Hill specialises in the downhill trails, almost all of which are black and way beyond by technical abilities.

Wish list of trail centres I'd like to visit

I'm always looking out for trail centres to visit next.  At the moment, I have the following on the horizon:

• High Lodge, Thetford Forest 
• The Super 6 - 1 down (Whinlatter), 5 to go!