MTB Mecca to Reading RG1 - Anywhere to ride?

Crash7
Crash7 Posts: 11
edited May 2009 in MTB rides
Help – Has anyone ridden in or near Reading? Are there any trails, no matter how small worth riding?

I have an issue where due to a dream job coming up I have to move from what could be described as a UK mountaining biking Mecca of South Wales to Reading!!

Having slogged all winter through wind, rain and mud, I was looking forward to the dry, dusty, quick technical trails on offer to me in my local area

In my current location, I have the formidable Rheola downhill 10 minutes away, the trail centres of Afan and Glyncorrwg are 20 minutes, Brechfa forest and Cwm Carn 40 minutes. And on top of this the abundance of natural trails on my door step, as well as those that exist in the Brecon Beacons!

From this I go to what appears to be a very flat Reading!!  Is there any altitude anywhere? If not, which I don’t expect there to be, how about some technical trail rides, or somewhere I can improve my air time skills? Or ………., ANYTHING!!!!

Although I will be travel home occasionally, I would like to try and find out if there is anywhere I can ride mid-week

All help hugely appreciated

Comments

  • anjs
    anjs Posts: 486
    Swinley and north downs would be your best bet.
  • aweston0
    aweston0 Posts: 7
    Yes, seems like Swinley Forest (Bracknell) is as good as it gets round here for specialist singletrack.

    It's flippin great this time of year - I'll be heading up there tonight at 6:15ish to fit in a few hours. You're welcome to join me.

    There is a jump-gully with table tops, kickers, a hip and a double - which may interest you, as well as the tried-and-tested fire-road up / twisty down combo (loads of different routes).

    Plenty of parking at the 'Lookout Discovery Centre' as well.
    Listen to the experts - they know what they're talking about - they're experts.

    http://cheapmountainbikeproject.blogspot.com/
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    Loads around Goring, Streatly, the downs around Didcot/Aldworth, Xmas common, the list goes on and on.

    Ok, it';s not Wales... but it's far from bad.
    Salsa Spearfish 29er
    http://superdukeforum.forumatic.com/index.php
  • Crash7
    Crash7 Posts: 11
    Guys,

    Many thanks for the replies, they are very much appreciated, Swinley look good with plenty of features to practise gaps, hips, drop etc

    aweston0 - many thanks for the vey kind offer but I dont land in Reading until June but I would love to take you up on it then

    If anyone can provide me with more details in regards to route plans or starting points it would be appreciated!

    Thanks
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    Crash7 wrote:
    Guys,

    Many thanks for the replies, they are very much appreciated, Swinley look good with plenty of features to practise gaps, hips, drop etc

    aweston0 - many thanks for the vey kind offer but I dont land in Reading until June but I would love to take you up on it then

    If anyone can provide me with more details in regards to route plans or starting points it would be appreciated!

    Thanks

    For cracking XC rideouts, Sat morn, Tues Eve and Thurs eve, Mountain High bike shop run superb rides. LEaving from the shop in Pangbourne (8 mins on the train from Reading station). 2.5 - 4 hours rides, top trails, although not drop offs etc. Just cracking woodland single track.

    Send an email to Mountain High sales@mountainhigh.co.uk to join the mailing list. :)
    Salsa Spearfish 29er
    http://superdukeforum.forumatic.com/index.php
  • bradders1979
    bradders1979 Posts: 83
    I second the Chilterns for riding too. Get in touch with Mountain High in Pangbourne - I ride twice a week with them. That is the best way to get the most out of riding in the area. There is good stuff to be had, albeit a bit of a come down from Wales!

    Brad
    2016 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0
    2012 Scott Foil 40
    2009 Spesh Allez Elite
    2005 Rocky Mountain Element 70
  • weeksy59
    weeksy59 Posts: 2,606
    bradders1979 wrote:
    I second the Chilterns for riding too. Get in touch with Mountain High in Pangbourne - I ride twice a week with them. That is the best way to get the most out of riding in the area. There is good stuff to be had, albeit a bit of a come down from Wales!

    Brad

    I assume i know you then mate assuming you do Saturdays :)

    I've misssed the last 3-4 though.
    Salsa Spearfish 29er
    http://superdukeforum.forumatic.com/index.php
  • Dr Tinkle
    Dr Tinkle Posts: 49
    Everyone above pretty much has it dialed for you Crash. Chilterns are great for longer rides with some killer hills in the Henley / Marlow bowl, Swinley for the best single track in the area.
    Just another thought, you could do with keeping an eye on the Gorrick challenges. They do enduros at Swinley but also around Tunnel Hill and Ash Ranges which is a good way to check out some other areas.

    One other. A little further afield over the back of Guildford is Leith Hill. Lung busting climbs, downhills, long days out on the hardtail you can make of it what you want. Well worth a journey and on a good day I'm told you can see the south coast from the top. . .
  • specializedone
    specializedone Posts: 34
    I've just finished a 40 mile loop in N Hampshire - 2000 ft of climbing.

    Starting just 20 miles from Reading in Highclere I went up and down Wayfarers Walk, Watership Down and through Highclere estate and over to Linkenholt in the west. This takes in Coombe Hill and the fun fire road blast downhill called Oxdrove.

    It's not technical as in a S Wales track but it is demanding and the last drag up to 900 ft elevation after 35miles certainly tested me today.

    Here is my track: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2808568 followed by: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2806997

    The distances are marked off in miles

    Enjoy

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