Queen Elizabeth Country Park?

indysmith

Is it any good for riding?
It's about 5 miles from my parent's new house so I should be down there reasonably frequently.
Me and the missus went for a walk around there the other day for a good few hours, but I hadn't brought my bike so I haven't seen what the bike trails are like yet. There were hundreds of cyclists about though!
Basically all I want to know is if I should be looking forward to riding it or not? Is it the South Downs dream, or is it the "brokeback of the mountain biking world" as somebody on the web put it :? ?
I can't find many pics and vids on the web, but the few I've found look like incredibly easy riding but fun all the same.

any experiences?
Thanks

gandhi

QE isn't bad. There are some specific cycle routes, which are ok (pretty short, and often full of walkers). There are some good routes if you get a local to show you around. It's very muddy, and I've not found anything particularly challenging. It's worth a look though.

clanton

Don't know it well but there are some bits that are worth riding. Just watch out for chalk! Not so much in the park itself but in the area - lethal when wet!

gregsd

You might want to head over to MTB South. The guys on there are responsible for maintaining and building the trails at QE Park. There's some video and other stuff on there as well.

clarkson

they are good trails at qe. good for this flat, kinda area anyway. all do-able ona hardtail really. when i take my enduro, i feel seriouslyt overbiked.

out the back though, there are some 'unorthodox' dh courses. ask on mtb south as has been suggested...

Amos

The trails are not too bad up there, but its a very short route. It can be pretty slippery in the wet. Heading east out of the park you can pickup the South Downs Way towards Harting, then heading south into the woods there is a lot of singletrack sections.

indysmith

Thanks a load guys - I'll be sure to check it out and the surrounding area next time I'm down there.
Chalk shouldn't be too much of a problem - I'm from the Chiltern Hills
I'd seen the MTB South site actually; didn't realise they had a forum though - thanks!

indysmith

Thanks a load guys - I'll be sure to check it out and the surrounding area next time I'm down there.
Chalk shouldn't be too much of a problem - I'm from the Chiltern Hills
I'd seen the MTB South site actually; didn't realise they had a forum though - thanks!

Eranu

The other place you may want to try is Kingly Vale/Stoughton Down. Loads of stuff there, nice single track etc. Its not too far from the QE park, about 10 miles or so.

Found this vid on you tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=898h9bNGTUs

Georgeb

Theres lots of riding to be had around the rest of the area. As said check out mtb south. Also theres a local mtb club called velocity bikes rough riders organise rides over there most weekends(and there the people who maintain the trails). They might be worth contacting if your in the area for a while. On the orange trail(the more difficult one) a new "snakebite" section of switch backs has been built. The park isnt spectacular but if your in the area its worth checking out.

Mike Deere

Also be sure to check out Rogate just up the road from QE for some more short techy downhill runs. Perfect place to practice your technique.