Anyone know any good routes around Harpenden

mtb guy

I am just starting mtb and i was wondering if there was any good routes in my area. I've looked at the OS map but there are no ovious routes that jump out at me. Please someone tell me a route or website to find routes

gregsd

Not too sure whats available from Harpenden, but if can travel then you could try areas like Woburn, Ashridge or The Chilterns (Wendover Woods). Leisure Wheels in Hemel have some route info on their website.

HTH

Greg.

steelo

Going out from harpenden, head east-ish towards nomansland/wheathampstead. There are is a good track that heads out that way, although I think its officially classed as a footpath. Also beyond nomansland is Riflebutts Wood near sandridge, that has a good bit of singletrack running around the inside perimeter of the wood. Heading east again brings you to Symondsyhde great wood. Lots of trails in there including a decent trail which drops down to coopers green lane.

I'm in St.Albans and have cycle a lot of bridleways between here, sandridge, wheathampstead, harpenden. Just get on your bike and cycle along any tracks you find. You'll quickly learn which paths link up and where you can get to.

Crayfish

We do a really good 17 miler that starts in Aldwickbury, goes down the back of Grove school, out towards Nomansland common but turns right on Ferrers Lane at West End Farm, left down a bridleway past Well Wood then Langley Wood (a good jump if you have enough speed), through Sandridge. Up Woodcock hill then it takes bridleways through Symondshyde woods and goes through Cromer Hyde doubles back to the John Bunyan pub (enjoy a beer in the garden), down a rough gulley to the Marford road then to Brockethall, over the river Lea then meet up with the Ayot Greenway, all on bridleways. Along the Greenway until we go left through Warren wood then Fish wood then Dowdell's wood - a great trail through Stocking springs, skirt to the south west of Ayot St lawrence, to Lamer House onto Lamer lane. Through Gustard wood golf course, through Herons farm heading towards Marshalls heath lane - a really fun rough downhill track. Back through Marshalls heath and then home via the Lea valley line. It's a fun ride 1.5 hrs fast or 2 hrs steady.

Otherwise, Penmachno is only 3 and a half hours away...

Steelo - where's Riflebutts Wood - I can't pick it up on the Explorer map?

The Spiderman

Maybe all us ,Harpenden guys should meet up and share our routes one day?

Crayfish

Good idea - but I still just have the one route although we added Riflebutts woods to it thanks to Steelo. In the winter we put on smoother tyres and go to St Albans using part of the same route, then across to Welwyn on the cycleway. Then we link up with the Ayott greenway to come back which on the whole is a great route when it's really wet or muddy.

The Spiderman

There some also nice routes around the woods in Bedmond,behind the M10.
We also sometimes ride around around Whitwell and Kimpton,though last time we were out we followed what we thought was a permissive by way only to encounter some locals, out on a night shoot.

A touch scary......

Must admit I`ve been out on the road bike a lot more recently,due to the unpassable nature of Hertfordshire clay.

Anyway,if anyone is up for a night ride,on Thursday,starting around 8pm,send me a pm.

nonnac85

Chicksands http://www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk/ (near Bedford on A600) and Aston Hill (between Tring and Aylesbury) are near you. Aston Hill has a demo day on 6th April

Crayfish

Spidey - would that be a road ride or off-road on Thursday? and where do you leave from?
Thanks

The Spiderman

spencerfrater wrote:

Spidey - would that be a road ride or off-road on Thursday? and where do you leave from?
Thanks

If you want to go for an off road ride,I will too, You would be welcome to join me.I am near Aldwickbury.

Might have to stay mostly on the Ayot Way,or similar though.

My mate and I went down the Nicky line last week and even parts of that near Redbourn were unridable.

My last ride across Herons farm was quite comical.I got halfway across the field,and the wheels and chainstays were completely solid,and the bike came to a complete standstill.Tried to get off and my feet disappeeared up to my ankles,and couldn`t pull my feet out of the mud!

Crayfish

Sounds like off-road is out then...

I'll have to see closer to the time whether I need to work on Thursday evening or not, but thanks for the invitation. I'll keep watching the thread.

Crayfish

Apologies Spidey - I was working late. But we should still get together one day for an off-roader - I'll take you on my best Harpenden route if you do the same.

I'm off to Woburn on Sunday - Yippeeee!

The Spiderman

Crayfish wrote:

Apologies Spidey - I was working late. But we should still get together one day for an off-roader - I'll take you on my best Harpenden route if you do the same.

I'm off to Woburn on Sunday - Yippeeee!

I`m doing a skills course at Woburn in a couple of weeks time.Let me know what you think.

Might try and get out for a spin tonight.

Crayfish

Is the skills course on at the weekend? I could do with something like that...

Woburn is always good fun, but one needs to get to know where the trails are - they are well hidden.

It's freezing tonight - you're brave!

nonnac85

is it a getmountain biking course http://www.getmountainbiking.co.uk/
i have done two of their courses - very good value for money
Woburn trails are good fun and because they are sandy they are nearly always rideable :-)

The Spiderman

nonnac85 wrote:

is it a getmountain biking course http://www.getmountainbiking.co.uk/
i have done two of their courses - very good value for money
Woburn trails are good fun and because they are sandy they are nearly always rideable :-)

Yep.Booked in with a lady called Helen.Heard several good reviews.I want to learn how to manual and bunny hop.I`m there in 2 weeks time on a Friday,but I blieve she does weekends too.

Crayfish

Hi Spidey - how'd your course at Woburn go? Can you do manuals now? I would love to be able to do that - tried over and over in my road without success.

Are you out tomorrow at all? I'm looking for a ride in the morning...

The Spiderman

I will be out next Tuesday night,March 11th,7.30 start,and hopefully Thursday 13th,too.
There is a guy from the MTB-UK forum that`s local ,that wants to ride too.
My regular riding,buddy will also be coming on Tuesday.

Crayfish

Great stuff.

I'm gonna try to make it. Road tyres or off-road? Where will we meet up?

stumpy4ever

looks like a bit of dead thread.
anyone still live and mtb / occasional road cycle in harpenden? i dont have time or inclination to go do 3 -4 hr road cycle with verulamcc, but wd be up for couple of hours of mtbing. anyone else the same?

i know a few good routes but always interested in riding some more.

s4ever.

Crayfish

Yep - we do a couple of 2hr routes around Harpenden most Sunday mornings (and some nights too). 85% off road - MTB required. We also drive to Swinley and Woburn but you need the whole morning for that (and it's an early start). My pardner is on holiday in France currently so may not go this Sunday. Where do you stay?

stumpy4ever

cool. I'd be up fsome of that in couple of weeks time. Off to lakes and trossachs for a week .
I'm up by roundwood school.
(nice spesh btw).

Crayfish

Thanks.

Great. I'm also off until the 27th in Cornwall. I'm near Sir John Law's school. Drop me a line say at the end of August?

Enjoy your holidays.