Thetford black?

DC01

I ve been on a mountain bike for a few years now and quite experienced. Ridden a quite a few trails centres over the years but never got round to doing Thetford, so planning a day there next week. My brother is coming with me and is a releative newb and not that fit. Would the black be to much for a newb. Only ask because i ve heard that it isnt that hard in comparison to other black routes.

BorisSpencer

It's not technical but it is a fitness test, a lot of soft sandy soil.

DC01

Would the red be a better bet then as my brother aint ver fit at all. thats why he took up mtb ing

Secla

i did thetford red a couple of weeks back and its pretty easy, i certainly have no huge staminer or skill and i managed to get round it fine. its roughly 12 miles(if you do the long loop) and all pretty flat with no climbs to mention really, there were small children toing it on the catalogue special bikes with parents in toe so he shouldnt have any problems. any obstacles like small boardwalks or jumps can be bypassed if he doesnt want to do them

the black isnt bad. as said thetford hasnt got much in they way of hills so it tends to be flat narrow forest sections followed by some slightly more technical section with a couple of bomb holes thrown in.

if its his first visit to a trail type centre id say go round the red first and then see how he feels about trying the black afterwards. theres also plenty of places you can drop out of the black course if he decides its not for him once he started it

Troopy

If compared to other centres i.e. coed-y-brennin the black route at thetford is a hard as cycling across a tesco's car park and they should be sued under the trade description act. If all routes were to be standardised then the black route at thetford would be a blue or a red at a stretch. Saying that it's not a bad route, it has a short fun bit which is a little technical and one or two obsticals along the way. If it is very wet then be prepared for the sandy water to knacker your chain etc.

pte1643

As said...

The Thetford Black is more like a comparable Red route.
You and your Brother will be fine, no prob's.

Unless you got loose teeth fillings... Or piles. :?

It's ridiculously bumpy... Not in a "Flowing" way, in a tedious way.

DC01

Cheers all for the advice. I ve done plenty of trail centres all over. But he s only done Bedgebury once and it half killed him. Will def give the black a go i think. Will just give him a few stops if hes on the verge of puking Thanks again all.