Thetford Forest - Red and Black routes

rusty656
rusty656 Posts: 44
edited August 2010 in Routes
Morning folks

A bunch of us from work are going down to Thetford in a couple of weeks to ride the red and black routes, i had heard a while ago that a lot of work was being down and some of the trails werent too good, anybody been recently who can say what condition the trails are in ??

Not been before either seen the videos on You Tube so sort of know what to expect, anybody got any insider knowledge bits to avoid and bits not to miss ???

Thanks i know my bikeradar buddies will give me the truth as always !!

Comments

  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    Black has seen better days but its still very rideable, infact if anything the ruggedness of it makes it more of a challenge and the pits are good fun, the "beast" is good to swoop around on.

    Red route has had loads of work done on it, the lads in Timber have done sterling work however the section they have redone isn't open as of yet and they've started on another section to bring it back up to scratch.

    Plenty of things happening in Thetford at the moment to improve it all which is always good!
  • Chronicbint
    Chronicbint Posts: 172
    Went about a month or so ago, red is fairly good fun, not especially technical though and not very steep. Black has some good bits but is spoilt by the small bumpy rubbish bits.

    Overall I enjoyed it as it was my first "offroad" experience but I wouldn't be in any rush to go back. :)
  • BorisSpencer
    BorisSpencer Posts: 786
    From Yaxley it's worth a look, but it's not much further to Cannock. So make that your next weekend out.
    Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.
  • mickedwards61
    mickedwards61 Posts: 175
    I went up to Thetford a couple of months back, had already been once before, and I can honestly say I really wouldn't bother going back. I hate to run a place down, especially as I know there a voluntary group of people working hard and against the odds to make it a good place to ride, however....

    The black is completely ruined for the first half of it, the harsh winter doesn't appear to have been kind at all, it's all rutted and dug out and you can't flow. The second half, incorporating The Beast is good, but the first half just ruined it for me.

    The red is good fun, you can really get up some speed, flow through and keep the speed going. It isn't technical at all, but you don't expect that going to Thetford.

    From Peterborough, Cannock is only an extra half hour away, and from what I here it is supposed to be well worth the visit especially with the recent new addition.

    Just my two pence worth, but I honestly think you will be disappointed going to Thetford
  • rusty656
    rusty656 Posts: 44
    Thanks for the advice had heard that the red route was in better condition than black, will have to sample for ourselves and judge from there Thanks again
  • BigJimmyB
    BigJimmyB Posts: 1,302
    BorisSpencer wrote:
    From Yaxley it's worth a look, but it's not much further to Cannock. So make that your next weekend out.

    +100

    I found Thetford (which was one of my first 'proper' offroad trips) to be rather dull (apols to any one who likes it, but thats just MHO)
  • rusty656
    rusty656 Posts: 44
    Well managed to get to Thetford today, and overall it was cracking day out.

    The red route flowed nicely thorugh the trees with linking sections on the fire roads, and the black route was very bumpy so hard to keep your speed going and it was totally knackering, the Beast was very challenging as it was so dry the sand would so easliy grab your front wheel but the bomb holes were good fun !!

    I would recommend it to anybody living in East Anglia unfortunately living in this part of the world we are never going to get the climbs or descents that people get elsewhere in the country but the single track i second to none !!

    Get yourself down there, will definately be going back !!
  • JabbaTheHut
    JabbaTheHut Posts: 70
    but the single track i second to none !!
    Granted its good fun but thats a of an over statement! :shock:
  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    JabbaTheHut wrote:
    but the single track i second to none !!
    Granted its good fun but thats a of an over statement! :shock:

    It's good but it certainly isn't that good.
  • rusty656
    rusty656 Posts: 44
    Sorry perhaps i did get carried away but being a newbie it gave me a smile !!
  • fredy
    fredy Posts: 308
    i'm staying in suffolk for a few months and i have been to thetford a few times. I can't say i enjoy it all that much but after going off the main track i found some nice little jumps and table tops.
    Would anyone happen to know where other little fun 'off the beaten path' trails are in the area? The bit i found is just off "the beast" and it missed out a bomb hole for a table top followed by a little kicker and a small jump. The track itself had bigger berms and more challenging terain too, and no annoying washboard like ground.
  • rusty656
    rusty656 Posts: 44
    That washboard ground was a killer next time i will take one of those mini diggers with the bucket on the frint and just drive along the route levelling it off !!
  • submityournentries
    submityournentries Posts: 912
    anyone know how this route is at the moment? is it nice and muddy? as i am thinking of popping down on monday, and want it too be all muddy to break in the new bike :D
    Ragley Blue Pig
  • cycle monster
    cycle monster Posts: 448
    I was there on Saturday and will be again tomorrow. There are plenty of puddles around. Some parts have benefitted from a bit of rain but some suffer from the usual standing water problem.
  • submityournentries
    submityournentries Posts: 912
    oh good times, abit of mud to coat my pig then. might just see you there tomorrow as well. what are you riding? ill look out for you.
    Ragley Blue Pig

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