is there any good rides on my doorstep?

andy46

hi everyone i live a couple of mile away from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham and was wondering if there was any good rides near me, as sometimes i don't want to load the car up, i just want to get on my bike and ride

also when my other half is at work on a weekend that leaves me with no car sometimes and i end up riding my mtb on the road which gets a bit boring.

i'd be very greatful if anyone could literally point me in the right direction

thank's andy.

ride_whenever

grab a map and look for bridleways...

andy46

i do have a map but it doesn't really show bridleways, i was hoping that they may be some people on here from this area.
i know a couple of bridleways but they are very short and don't really go anywhere

Royal Dragoon

Have a look here:

http://www.mtbe.co.uk/


They have a lot of members in the area local to you, why not ask for advice on there, plus they are always organising lots of rides, a really friendly bunch of guys.

dave_hill

andy46 wrote:

i do have a map but it doesn't really show bridleways(

Looking at the OS Landranger, there seems to be plenty of riding to be had to the South East of Newton Aycliffe towards Darlington and more bridleways in the Shildon / West Auckland area.

In 5 minutes I've just strung together a 19 mile circuit on the South East side of the A1 from Junction 59 using the Landranger - obviously I'm not local so I don't know how much of it is actually doable, but it's there in theory.

If you'll PM me your e-mail address I'll send you a PDF of it.

Seriously, get yourself the right map and go exploring.

andy46

dave_hill thanks for that i've just pm'd you

do you have a link on how you did that i've just been on the OS website but i'm not really getting anywhere :oops:

dave_hill

andy46 wrote:

dave_hill thanks for that i've just pm'd you

do you have a link on how you did that i've just been on the OS website but i'm not really getting anywhere :oops:

You can't do it on the OS website!!

You need mapping software (such as Memory Map, Tracklogs, Anquet or Fugawi) or better still visit your local newsagent/bookshop/outdoor shop and buy a proper paper copy of the map to cover your area.

Then get a highlighter pen and get to work highlighting all the bridleways and byways. And go out exploring.

Online/software maps are OK but you can't spread them out on the living room floor and get a really big picture of where stuff is. I only really use my mapping software to confirm what I've worked out from printed maps and to print off a more managable copy of my route.

andy46

dave_hill thanks for your help and paitence with a complete beginner, can't wait to get out there now!!!

Buckled_Rims

Arh, you have Hampsterley near you! I'd cut off both legs to live near a place like that!

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

andy46

Buckled_Rims wrote:

Arh, you have Hampsterley near you! I'd cut off both legs to live near a place like that!

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

yeah its quite good up there, i live about 25 minutes away by car it does get busy though so best to go early.