Forest of Dean Trails - Satmap

whiter74

Being a local I'm currently satmap'ing a number of good routes throughout the Forest of Dean. Most of the best routes require a bit of local knowledge as none are signed.

I'll aim to start most from the local bike centre ‘Pedalabikeaway’.at Canop. These will be on average 12 to 15miles in distance, medium level all single track routes with some excellent descents/climbs and a good dose of jumps/drop offs for good measure.

Overall I will be trying to share some of the best trails the Forest has to offer.

So if you want one just drop me a mail in the near future.


Thanks

billynobates

Thinking of giving the F o D a go, so i take it you would recommend it then?
Would that also apply to the Satmap as i've thought about getting one but was unsure of extra costs over the initial purchase price and whether they were fool proof as i've never used gps before :roll:

abductee

Why not upload your routes to bikely if you want to share them? Then everyone can see them on google maps and can also download the .GPX

whiter74

good idea, will do

whiter74

Being a local I can thoroughly recommend the FOD. I have been riding here all my life and still finding new stuff. As most people would agree there no real trail guides apart from the FODCA trail which is good but very short. You just need to explore, however its no fun if you cant find a good balance of climbs and fab decents, hence why I’m going to share my routes. Given its geographically terrain and historical mining activates there plenty on offer.

Regarding the satmap I can’t fault it. Only had a month but it took no time to set-up and use.
Yes it is expensive when you have to buy the maps separately £90 for 1:25k scale but worth it. Only other recommendation is get the lithium battery pack, AA don’t last to long. Amazon are doing a decent deal with the satmap plus version for £315 I think.

ObscuraSky

billynobates wrote:

Thinking of giving the F o D a go, so i take it you would recommend it then?
Would that also apply to the Satmap as i've thought about getting one but was unsure of extra costs over the initial purchase price and whether they were fool proof as i've never used gps before :roll:

There's some very good routes listed here http://www.fountaininnandlodge.co.uk/biking_mallards_pike_loop_one.html

rhyko7

whiter74 wrote:

Being a local I'm currently satmap'ing a number of good routes throughout the Forest of Dean. Most of the best routes require a bit of local knowledge as none are signed.

I'll aim to start most from the local bike centre ‘Pedalabikeaway’.at Canop. These will be on average 12 to 15miles in distance, medium level all single track routes with some excellent descents/climbs and a good dose of jumps/drop offs for good measure.

Overall I will be trying to share some of the best trails the Forest has to offer.

So if you want one just drop me a mail in the near future.


Thanks

sounds good-do you happen to know the enduro route for the race?

whiter74

Hi

The route for the Enduro next week 27th will have some new sections from last year. I haven't rode it because its still being marked out.
My only concern however it that for example at the bottom of the downhills runs, (bit further along) they have simply machined some new single track through the ferns/bushes etc.
So its had no or little use and you can image if it rains with some 200 riders it will be interesting to say the least.
Looking forward to it though. The area is great at present nice and dry and the trails are flowing especially well. Dowies 1& 2 are fab this week.

You can see Dowies 1 and some other brief single track FOD Helmet Cam videos at the following. Nothing special just playing with the camera

http://www.vholdr.com/fuzzysearch/results/whiter74

joec1

FODCA,

but stop when you hit the track up the hill.... turn left and go up the hill.... there is a good downhill up there.... (will draw a map when i next do it. for you all)

craker

I'm keen - I'm an occasional FOD cyclist and haven't any idea where the 'better' trails are. What's satmap btw, some sort of device / protocol...?

I'm a Garmin etrex owner, so GPX downloads would be just fine. Thanks for your effort!

Dancake

I would be interested in checking out the FOD. Could you upload to Garmin Connect?.
Garmin users could then download to their Devices including your speed as a benchmark

NB Non Garmin users can still view on the map

something like this http://connect.garmin.com/player/12292303

uk_mr_brownstone

heads up- FODCA is closed at the moment.

I'd be really interested in some insider local knowledge of decent Trails- I often come over from Gloucester but it's a bit hit and miss as to whether we find any decent trails!

rhyko7

uk_mr_brownstone wrote:

heads up- FODCA is closed at the moment.

I'd be really interested in some insider local knowledge of decent Trails- I often come over from Gloucester but it's a bit hit and miss as to whether we find any decent trails!

what?!?
i rode it yesterday-did the enduro track and the little xc course followed by some DH tracks, was all fully open-what exactly is shut?

uk_mr_brownstone

rhyko7 wrote:

uk_mr_brownstone wrote:

heads up- FODCA is closed at the moment.

I'd be really interested in some insider local knowledge of decent Trails- I often come over from Gloucester but it's a bit hit and miss as to whether we find any decent trails!

what?!?
i rode it yesterday-did the enduro track and the little xc course followed by some DH tracks, was all fully open-what exactly is shut?

Hmm, turned up at 5pm on Wed and the start (of the singletrack trail- not the DH) was taped off with signs saying it was shut for tree felling. strange

borntobemild

Found this little booklet excellent

http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/products/ ... eation-map

Anonymous

just an off topic, is the Forest of Dean centre have the same setting as Cwmcarn and Afan with sighposts of arrows on the singletracks so you wont get lost, as first timer there I wouldnt know where to start and dont fancy get lost lol

starsky007

there are a few sign posts on the trails above the bike centre(pedalabikeaway), but its easy to get lost if you go off the proper trails and find better trails in and around the forest.
ive been riding around the forest for years now so anyone fancy riding the trails any time give me a pm, and we can meet up.theres a good 30 0r 40 miles all around the forest to explore any time of the day or night wet or dry.

rhyko7

anyone interested in riding FOD saturday?
, i dont want to do any serious DH cos ile probably be on my HT with skinny tyres as im trying to bed everything in and test it all works. looking to do a 2-3 hour ride at a reasonable pace.

im probably going to ride the enduro track and explore a bit unless one of you guys who knows your way around wants to come and open our eyes to new tracks?