Sherwood Pines

mattfefc

Going to Centre Parcs soon, taking the bike and will get out super early while the family are asleep.

How many routes are there, I've heard of the kitchener route. Is this easy to find, are there any others.

Only been to Thetford before so looking forward to it.

hoochylala

There is the red (kitchener route) and the blue route that are both waymarked. Easy to find the start of the red - stand in the car park looking towards the bike shop, turn round and over the small road and you are at the start - its all sign posted though.

Red loop can be combined into the blue route easily enough, although the best trails arn't way marked. If you see any people in the carpark, get talking, they may be local and you could end up with a really good guide

See my sig link for further info.

Andy B

Loads of hidden stuff in the Pines. Lots if good singletrack through tight twisty wooded sections. Spent a Sunday shoulder barging trees a couple of weeks ago :twisted:

Kitchener trail is good for singletrack but not very technical for a red route, easy to find from the car park, well signposted too.

Here's a GPS from my tree hugging @ the Pines: http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/work ... id=2611321 most of this was hidden stuff off the normal trails.

Kiblams

kitchener is a long and very tame trail, try the "downhill bikepark" stuff for a little excitement.

From the exit of Centreparcs turn left, head up the hill and turn left again at the crossroad, then its a fair trek to the trail centre entrance which will be another left (if memory serves me right)

chemicalali

Kiblams wrote:

kitchener is a long and very tame trail, try the "downhill bikepark" stuff for a little excitement.

From the exit of Centreparcs turn left, head up the hill and turn left again at the crossroad, then its a fair trek to the trail centre entrance which will be another left (if memory serves me right)

Don't need to go this long way round - from the Center Parcs entrance cabins turn left on the dirt road (not right on the tarmac) then in half a mile or so you're in the forest. Turn right to get to the visitor centre. If you're up early you can explore the hidden trails before the walkers start up.

hoochylala

Kiblams wrote:

kitchener is a long and very tame trail, try the "downhill bikepark" stuff for a little excitement.

True.

I suggest you still do the red route though as it leads onto the 'downhill' park section where you can then spend some time doing some repeated runs if you want - at least this way you will have enough riding to fill a few hours. As advised tough - the non way marked stuff is the best - if you see a gap in the forest off a fire road - go explore

Mr Wu

Is it easy to find from Mansfield train station?

ive got a week off work next week so fancy having a pootle round.

abductee

From Mansfield train station 4.5 miles to the bike park 7 miles to the visitor centre by bike. Follow Eakring road until you reach the forest park turn left at the first fire road junction. the bike park is approx 200 metres from the junction.

hoochylala

Mr Wu wrote:

Is it easy to find from Mansfield train station?

ive got a week off work next week so fancy having a pootle round.

But if your coming from Exeter, id suggest there are better places you could catch a train too for a days riding!

Riding there are the weekend, it appears there are a lot of diversions/ shut sections - bloody forestry works

mattfefc

Went over there twice last week while staying at Centre Parcs. Thought the Kitchener route was good, probably just better than Thetford. Especially liked the downhill bits but must admit bottled some of it. Did not have the time to go out and explore any hidden routes. Shame some of the route was closed due to repair work but suppose this needs to be done.