New Member from Kent

Chewbag

Been a long time lurker, and looking to get into some trail riding and such for a while. Will be picking up my bike on Monday evening and will be raring to get out and about. From what i've read main areas close to me are Bedgebury and Swinley, and some cyclopark place in gravesend? Whether its any good or not.

So just thought i'd say hello!

IT66T

Welcome aboard , i'm afraid i'm not familiar with your area so i can't help you their i'm afraid but their are a few members on here that will when they come across your post lol .

steelie600

[waves furiously] HIYAAAAAAA

Welcome to where the cool kids play!

tenfoot

Hi. Welcome to the forum.
By now you may have been there, but if not, Bedgebury is worth a look. Nothing too tricky there but worth a trip over. They have a red run and a black run with a couple of 2 ft drops, a short freeride area and opening soon a brand new final section of the red route which we rode at christmas with the off road club. Only downside is the £8.50 parking fee.

The Cyclopark is on the A2 near Gravesend. They have a dedicated singletrack trail but from what I have heard it's pretty simple. Yet to go myself though.

Finally, there are plenty of trails to explore at the top of Bluebell Hill, just outside of Maidstone, but a map will be useful.

Have fun.

jeannot18

Welcome! What bike are you getting? I did Bedgebury once (red run) and enjoyed it thoroughtly. Enjoy the new bike!

JC

Roostoids

As stated, Bedgebury, Swinley, Gravesend and then local trails such of Boxley, Bluebell and beyond.

My preference is Bedgebury, as it has a nice cafe which sells cake. Riding is ok when it's dry, when it's wet I don't go as it turns into a bog.

The local trail and byways are a maze, so you need a map or a guide book detailing the trails, there are some excelent rides to be had though if you can orienteer them.


@Tenfoot, where does the final red begin? Usually the last 2 are opposite the start trail, then you either bend right at the end and go down then up the fire road, or bend left at the end across the wooden beam and up a mud road......either way both routes head toward the centre and car park, where are they installing the new section? There's a nice route alongside the main fire road climb from the car park to the start trail..is that where you mean?

Sammiye

Yep that bit. what they call the race track

Where in Kent are you?

check out sketchymtb.co.UK for local meets and rides.

Chewbag

tenfoot wrote:

Hi. Welcome to the forum.
By now you may have been there, but if not, Bedgebury is worth a look. Nothing too tricky there but worth a trip over. They have a red run and a black run with a couple of 2 ft drops, a short freeride area and opening soon a brand new final section of the red route which we rode at christmas with the off road club. Only downside is the £8.50 parking fee.

The Cyclopark is on the A2 near Gravesend. They have a dedicated singletrack trail but from what I have heard it's pretty simple. Yet to go myself though.

Finally, there are plenty of trails to explore at the top of Bluebell Hill, just outside of Maidstone, but a map will be useful.

Have fun.

Thanks for all your input, Haven't ventured to Bedgebury as of yet, but I did pop into the Cyclopark yesterday. It is pretty simple, some red runs which consist of mainly rock descents, saw a few people go over the handlebars.

jeannot18 wrote:

Welcome! What bike are you getting? I did Bedgebury once (red run) and enjoyed it thoroughtly. Enjoy the new bike!

JC

Picked up a Voodoo Bokor, after reading the forums for a while I ended up going to look at the Voodoo Hoodoo, have no idea why I didnt stick to my initial choice. I did check out the RockRider at Decathlon but I just didn't feel right sitting on it.

I'm from Bexleyheath, so North West Kent.

DanDax1990

Good decision, Chewbag. I picked up a second hand (Only ridden twice) Bokor last Tuesday... At a bargain price... Including accessories etc. Saved about £450 altogether. Love the bike, Rides really well and it's nice to look at!

Would of been prepared to pay the £600 or however much Halfords are selling for.

Went for a blast down the woods near me yesterday and it took everything with ease. Just wish there were better trails nearer to me!

Have fun.

spr wheelie

bedgebury is magic only been round the red route twice and fell off my bike for the first time there today 3 times.
cromers wood is allright aswell not great and it only lasts about half an hour tops it is quite tiny so only if your going by anyway

Shackster

tenfoot wrote:

The Cyclopark is on the A2 near Gravesend. They have a dedicated singletrack trail but from what I have heard it's pretty simple. Yet to go myself though.

Went this morning, yes the blue trail is simple (but entertaining in places, in particular a downhill bit with bermed corners and small jumps), but the red sections are reasonably challenging (with small rock steps up and down, and easy rock gardens) and the black sections are properly black. Obviously they aren't steep, given the topography, although they do have steep bits, but they are very difficult to ride. The warning signs there are accurate. For comparison, the black sections are harder than anything I've ridden at Afan, Coed-y-brenin (although I've not ridden the black routes there yet) and Glentress (except one bit of the black).

Given that there's nowhere else in the south east (that I know of) where you can ride this sort of stuff, I'd say it's worth a visit for most people.

Roostoids

Can't tell you how pleased I am to hear the cyclopark is worth visitng. I'd only heard one person who'd actually been talking about it, saying it wasn't much of a challenge, but there's enough people saying otherwise now to poo poo the poo pooers!!

@sammiye, learned soime routes with sketchy a few years ago, but because I was way off their pace at the time I stopped going with them. Considering tagging along again with them this summer though. Might see you there? Names Keith and I ride a red/white spesh camber comp.