Colchester, the worst place for mountain biking ?

steve_d

Hey im new to this forum and registered ages ago but completely forgot I done it :roll:

anyway I am just a kid and only recently left school. This means I cannot travel too far because obviously I cant drive yet.

In colchester (ESSEX) I know only of three places to ride.

1)the middlewick ranges - a series of fields with a tiny amount of wooded trails

2)friday woods - pretty good in comparison to the ranges but I would like to go somewhere new

3)highwoods country park - only been there once, might be alright I don't really know yet

So, has anyone ever heard of these places? Basically does anyone know of anywhere else in and around the colchester area where I can ride? My bike is pretty rubbish (specialized hardrock sport) but have been trying to save my paper round money but that isnt going too well. Have got a job at the local chippy now though so hopefully soon I will scrape together a few pounds.

Thanks for any comments,
Steve

Larok

is there a train station near you?

steve_d

yes there are two station which I can get to fairly easily.

steve_d

Am I right in thinking thetford forest is a good place to ride? Thats near/in Bury St Edmuds isnt it, I have seen trains going there when I was going to Ipswich?

Larok

Burys to far from Thetford. I'd be thinking of looking at an OS map near you and looking round the nearest stations or perhaps further away, like in Wales.

steve_d

I think wales is a bit far to travel at the minute. And like I say, I dont think my bike would be up to it. Anyone got a rough idea of how much a train to Wales is likely to cost?

Thanks

steve

EDIT: So, does anyone ride in and around colchester?

Has anyone heard of a place called Chits Hill, near halstead road?

Larok

£50 ish http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

teulk

I would have said Friday woods - ran around them far too many times whilst i was in the army there...............

Joe Long

hey
i am in colchester to!

and its pretty bad!

but there are a few good spots, chits hill is my local.

although i have only just got back in to bikeing after a long break, and that place has been trashed buy the usual people!

however i am planing to start buliding again there soon! get there place good again!

theres a few other spots out near tollgate too,

steve_d

hey joe

I have recently found Chitts hill and compared the other stuff I have seen its pretty good. How old are you joe?
What sort of stuff you into then? dirt jumping?
If you want a hand building stuff me and my mate would give you a hand but we would need direction as we are pretty new to mountain biking. Especially jumps as like I say these are the first ones we have found and we have only been there twice.

Joe Long

yeh chitts is allright, just badly treated, was there the other day and some idiot had smashed glass everywhere!

i am in to everything, just try and ride a bit of everything, however i am more in to my downhill, and freeride type stuff, not so much the dirt jump scene.

i am a bit of a beginer to, only got back in to after a year break, so starting again really!
so a beginer aswell!
oh yeh i am 18 by the way!

steve_d

Joe have you ever been to highwoods country park?

I have been once but didnt really get a full exploration, it seems to be quite hilly and more of a cross country area.

What about friday woods?
I have been there quite a lot and its alright bearing in mind I have never been out of Colchester for riding

Steve

ps Im 16 btw

Joe Long

toatly forgot about this!

highwodds is rubbish, good for a xc blast!
but too many dog walkers!

i havent actually been to friday woods, so may cheeck that out!

ipswich has a few good places to and danbury not too far away aswell!

going to explore friday woods this sunday though!

steve_d

Joe there is a weekly MTB ride from Thomas's bike shop every wednesday, its quite good. About 11 miles or so, a few good climbs aswell. I have only been once but let me know if you want more details.

Steve

explosifpete

also the 50-12 shop do a xc ride one night in the week.
I've heard the eigt ash green is good for dirt jump types, when I was at college i helped build some bmx trails at hilly fields (nere the instute) not sure if they are still there and be carefull as its a gay meeting place (we didn't know that when we started!)
Danbury common is really good for both xc and jump/freeride and not to far from you