Routes around Northants

mossmotorsport
mossmotorsport Posts: 356
edited November 2010 in Routes
Hi Guys,

Whilst I'm at uni I get to ride Follow the Dog at Cannock quite a bit - but whilst back home in Kettering (Northants) I'm struggling to find any decent off road trails. I've had a good search around the net, but have any of you guys ever been to Hartlestone Firs or Fineshades or similar?

I've ridden Rutland and Pitsford many times, so I'm after something with a bit more excitement...
Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010

Comments

  • BorisSpencer
    BorisSpencer Posts: 786
    Try Harlestone firs, you just have to explore.
    Woburn Sands is similar but bigger.

    I ride around Kettering once a week, and I feel your pain. You can put together some reasonable XC out through Cransley and link up with Brampton Valley and Pitsford Reservoir, but it's not Singletrack and currently most of it is a mudbath.
    Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Kettering riding sucks :-(

    I'll see if I can get down to Hartlestone Firs tomorrow then just to check it out - thanks for the tips!
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • cycle monster
    cycle monster Posts: 448
    Grafham Water is about 30 minutes away from Pitsford, it is two or three miles longer and not completely flat. I think that there might be a bridleway or two leading off the cycle track but never been in a position to explore. I am not suggesting this is going to be a challenge but it is very different to Pitsford and actually has a little bit of gradient here and there.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    +1 for Woburn is a pretty good ride with lots of fast flowing routes.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    I'll have to try Woburn I have heard a few good things about that place...
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    Some good trails over at Woburn - its local to me so can show people round.
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    mossmotorsport wrote:
    I'll have to try Woburn I have heard a few good things about that place...

    Yeah main part gets used quite a lot by walkers, horse riders & families but is plenty of fast flowing XC and are also the jumps sections too. If you go with someone who knows the area they can show you the longer routes all zipped together and feeding into one another
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    That sounds good to me - I have never been so wouldn't really know where to go. Not sure when to go through at the moment, I'm a big lad (18st!) so I should shed some weight before hitting any jumps I think...
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    mossmotorsport wrote:
    That sounds good to me - I have never been so wouldn't really know where to go. Not sure when to go through at the moment, I'm a big lad (18st!) so I should shed some weight before hitting any jumps I think...

    Nah balls to that mate - just get on it and go. I don't get to ride up there too much right now as am training hard on the road/tri side for next year. But you will find a wide range of riders and a quick google search and you will even find a club that meet up there on Sunday's and they never have a problem taking out new riders without the pressure of making them join. I know I've been out with them a few times myself.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Danlikesbikes wrote:
    mossmotorsport wrote:
    That sounds good to me - I have never been so wouldn't really know where to go. Not sure when to go through at the moment, I'm a big lad (18st!) so I should shed some weight before hitting any jumps I think...

    Nah balls to that mate - just get on it and go. I don't get to ride up there too much right now as am training hard on the road/tri side for next year. But you will find a wide range of riders and a quick google search and you will even find a club that meet up there on Sunday's and they never have a problem taking out new riders without the pressure of making them join. I know I've been out with them a few times myself.

    Sounds perfect - I'll try and head out there as soon as possible then I think!

    Has anyone ever been to Adrenaline Alley in Corby - I know its a skate park but to practice the basics of jumps and stuff not sure if its worth a visit (only a 15 minute drive for me)
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • M.C.
    M.C. Posts: 28
    Irchester Country Park is well worth looking at. You can kill a couple of hours there easily and you can find plenty of chellenging cycling too as there is plenty of relief to the landscape. Just explore!

    I live in Higham Ferrers and drive to places like Chicksands, Woburn Sands, Aston Hill, but often have just as much fun at Irchester because its right on my doorstep. The facilities are pretty good too with car parking and cafe.
  • BorisSpencer
    BorisSpencer Posts: 786
    M.C. Are you still riding at ICP, we found a real animosity towards bikes over there the last 12 months or so. Although I do keep meaning to start night riding it again as we used to have a hoot.
    Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.
  • M.C.
    M.C. Posts: 28
    Yes we occaisionally ride there. We always ride early, 7am start on Sundays when there are very few people around. Normally give walkers and alike a wide birth and show them alot of respect. Not met with any hostility yet.

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