Isle of Wight

clarkson

does anyone live there and know of any good places to ride? im thinking of going there in a few weeks as i live just acrss the water and so would appreciate any suggestions.

dunker

i was out today on the Tennyson Trail today, The Needles to Carisbrook (near Newport) awesome views and some rather long lung busting climbs. check it out in Ordnance Survey OL 29 Explorer Map. i left it just past Brighstone or i'll die before i get home, still pretty much a newbie here.

Matt-23

Yep, i'm on the I.O.W too. Some awesome places to ride. The Isle Of Wight Cycling Festival is coming up soon, see if anything there takes your fancy...

http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/

clarkson

whats the riding like there? is it particularly hilly? i doubt it'll be any worse than the stuff here!!

dunker

it's mostly rural and hilly, quite alot of 100 metre plus climbs with a few at over 200 metres. i hav'nt explored the main forrests yet (Brighstone and Parkhurst) though i've heard there's some DH tracks in Brighstone forrest, dunno. The main thing to watch out for is the blind car drivers but i guess you get those all over, lots of the lanes are in the shade with tree tunnels so bringing lights is'nt a bad idea.

The whole island is covered in overgrown/single/double track trails which go over some downs and border farm land so many live stock encounters and sheep chasing you for food? baahh hehe

Matt-23

Depends where you go. There really is a bit of everything - but yes, there are some truly hilly areas. If you come over here for a few days to ride you won't be disappointed

clarkson

brilliant thanks guys! am hoping to ome over when/if i get a few days off. i only live in gosport, but getting the time off cna be tricky! has anyone else heard of the dh tracks in Brighstone forest?

dunker

well on the subject of the DH tracks in Brighstone forrest, i was in there today and all i could see was xc tracks so i came home and looked on google earth and i could'nt spot anything on there i did'nt see today. i might have done 2+2=5 here, fella said to me he rides DH and rides in Brighstone so i just assumed there'd be a DH track there. the forrest is on a down though a good 200+meters up i think so it's possible there are some in there unless he meant the downhill section coming down from the downs which are pretty fast with brakes and prolly full sus only without?