Peterborough/Cambridge area MTB'ers

mikebert4 · May 2007

I know I've seen a few of you out and about; a quick flash of a back wheel from round a corner, a furtive glance towards what -might- be a respectable bike here and there.

Stop hiding in the shadows! Lets get a decent group together and hopefully get some riding in over the summer.

Also, I'm in desperate need of good riding spots, there just aren't -any- in Peterborough (corrections welcome

) since they started building Hampton

any takers?

Mike

RicardoShapiro · May 2007

Dude the closest thing I can think of is Thetford Forest (I'm about half an hour south of you though). Pay œ6 to park there all day and the trails are yours. Whether you're into gentle XC, bomb runs, or the notorious 'black ride' you should find everything you need there.

I found it to be a useful proving ground allowing me to highlight all the flawed areas of my 2001 Carrera Kraken (there were many, obviously!) and upgrade pretty much the whole rig as a result. They also run an open competition in April, loads of different categories to suit whatever kind of rider you are. Personally I'll be in the geriatric puffing-and-wheezing category

HTH

Ricardo

Sir HC · May 2007

There are trails out towards Oundle, nothing technical at all, just a few hills and nice countryside.

Chicksands is worth a trip, never been to Thetford yet, might go at some point though.

<hr noshade size="1"><center>url=http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/887/pbpic887611.jpg]Stinky[/url][url=http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=list&function=myphotos&photouserid=55627]&[/url][url=http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/1148/pbpic1148516.jpg]Inbred[/url</center>
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Jedi · May 2007

thetford black route is a joke for grading trails.why oh why does every trail center feel the need for a black run.its red at very best!

acac · May 2007

i be out riding this friday and may be on sunday some where around ferry meddows area what do you ride

peterboroughrider · May 2007

im out most nights at the mo riding my trance. found a few good routes and theres actually a few bits of singletrack which are good. can show you some routes if you want? what do you ride?

The new Trance-http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1060188/ New pic

The SS http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1061078/

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rappermikep · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jedi

thetford black route is a joke for grading trails.why oh why does every trail center feel the need for a black run.its red at very best!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'll second that, worst of all they have the cheek to call one section 'the beast' - my girlfriend did it on problem on her 1st time MTB'ing!

As someone else said, go to Chicksands, it's wicked.

http://www.bedsfattrax.org

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id ... 519&size=l

mikebert4 · May 2007

Well, I ride a Specialized Rockhopper Pro (my new toy). It's a nice bike but it kind of limits me to XC/singletrack (I say limits, I pretty much ride what i dare.

I've found a nice old Quarry out near Yarwell thats good fun (more freeride than much else). Which I've been hitting a lot this week, perhaps a trip that way would be good?

I'll definately be out this sunday most of the day, just geting in some distance round Ferry Medows, perhaps heading over Rutland way, if Peterboroughrider or Acac are free want to come out and exchange routes/ have some fun?

Thetford is definately on for a day trip in a weekend or two as well.

Thanks for the sugesstions all, hopefully get to ride with a few of you soon

Mike out.

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mongooseTE17 · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rappermikep

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jedi

thetford black route is a joke for grading trails.why oh why does every trail center feel the need for a black run.its red at very best!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'll second that, worst of all they have the cheek to call one section 'the beast' - my girlfriend did it on problem on her 1st time MTB'ing!

As someone else said, go to Chicksands, it's wicked.

http://www.bedsfattrax.org

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id ... 519&size=l
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

People are trying to improve the beast. At the bottom there was a few small kikers, two medium sized doubles and and sketchy table top.
People are always knocking down the jumps that other people build up witch is a shame.

My Elite!
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mikebert4 · May 2007

Well, It's official. Keep an eye out for me around Ferry Medows. I'll be on my Rockhopper and I'll probally be wearing some DPM shorts.

If anyone else happens to be in the area around midday tomorrow then feel free to stop me!

Mike

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mikebert4 · May 2007

Heh. Rain.

Typical.

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peterboroughrider · May 2007

you ever ride in the week? im around pboro more in the week evenin time as i go chicksands or thetford most weekends

The new Trance-http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1060188/ New pic

The SS http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1061078/

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adiec1 · May 2007

thetford, paying 6 pound for that is a joke, park in the brandon side for nothing and there are some far better unmarked trails. but in fairness thetford is ok for cross country as you can point your bike anywhere and follow the mud. the red route is newer and faster and you do discover different bomb holes, but in general brandon is best and its all linked together!

mikebert4 · June 2007

I ride most nights up around ferry meddows area, anywhere betqween 4 and 7pm. Just keeping the legs in shape etc.

I'm actually off on a nice trip today up Rutland way, and will be stopping at FM for a wee while on the way home. Leaving at midday so expect to see Ferry meddows anywhere between 5 and 6:30-ish.

One day soon I'll bump into one of ya

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acac · June 2007

wish i could go and ride futher away am a bit limted as i dont drive gets a bit boreing same sort of places but hay i love my bike

mikebert4 · June 2007

Acac, what do you ride? Have you tried out Old Sulehey (near Yarwell). I usually drive out there with a mate, but it's rideable in an hour from Peterborough.

Guess where I've been all day today..

It's a good little area, and I'm seriously considering taking a shovel out there and developing some serious trails.

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acac · June 2007

hi mikeber14 i ride a cannondale prophet no i dont no where Old Sulehey is
i hope to be out sunday or next monday i give it a try.

-Stone 3- · June 2007

go to chicksnads, its great- there's a real variety of trails there, none too hard.

Why does a climber climb mount everest? Beacuase it's there

-Stone 3- · June 2007

i mean chicksands

Why does a climber climb mount everest? Beacuase it's there

jamieayres · June 2007

The Old Sulehey quarry sounds interesting, might have to check it out, as Peterborough and the surrounding areas are a bit sparse for decent trails. There is a few ok runs...but not much.

paulsmithp1 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mikebert4

Acac, what do you ride? Have you tried out Old Sulehey (near Yarwell). I usually drive out there with a mate, but it's rideable in an hour from Peterborough.

Guess where I've been all day today..

It's a good little area, and I'm seriously considering taking a shovel out there and developing some serious trails.

Mike's signature glares right back at you

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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is this the Nature Reserve area? Or the actual quary?

ojoj · June 2007

Hi I think he means the nature reserve bit. There's an ok track from pboro to the quarry and back

jamieayres · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ojoj

Hi I think he means the nature reserve bit. There's an ok track from pboro to the quarry and back
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Now that i would be interested to hear about, was scouting for trails on me motorbike on monday and clocked the bridleway from the reserve to wansford and that was about it....but admittedly its hard to spot trails from the road[:D]

acac · June 2007

hi i like to check out the quary can some one tell me the best way to to go on bike from p,borough centre thanks

jamieayres · June 2007

I am currently trying to work out the best way from boro to the quarry, while trying to keep in some of my favorite little tracks like the singletrack along the river in ferry meadows.

If you want the most direct way i would assume it would be:

Peterborough C/C > Ferry Meadows > into back of Water Newton > along the A1> down past Wansford Station> cross over at stibbington > head into and through Yarwell to Old Sulehay.

...i am trying to come up with a better half decent route tho as i have ridden along the a1 before and it both sucks and blows.

Troopy · June 2007

There is a bridleway with a little road that leads from Chesterton through to Yarwell Mill the last bit however is on the nene way foot path but hey take it steady and no one bothers you.

YOU DON'T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE YOU GROW OLD, YOU GROW OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP PLAYING

mikebert4 · June 2007

*nods* I tend to ride Troopy's route.

Be wary about the quarry though, the quarry itself isn't as good as it could be for us MTBers. Whereas the little nature reserve next door is superb. The only problem comes then with the prescence of any scruples you might have on that matter..

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jamieayres · June 2007

So far i have really only gone through the back of yarwell as a part of a loop through castor/castor hanglands/upton/sackwell water mill/wansford/elton etc. Defo going to go exploring down the quarry/reserve route either after work this week or the weekend, was going to try southey woods this weekend but will put that on hold. Do i assume we have no permission to go down the quarry? Just curious in case an eye has to be kept out for anyone.

Is the bridleway marked in chesterton? Rode through their a few times on way back from elton and cant remember seeing anything.

acac · June 2007

i be going on saturday if weather ok may be see some of you there i be leaveing about 7am if i can find it lol

jamieayres · June 2007

7am? Damn thats early. I have a day off today so going to try and actually find my way there and have a little look as its blazing sunshine at the moment[:D]

EDIT: Ok, i went through Chesterton earlier to look for the start of the trail from there to Yarwell but came up blank. The only bridleway i found was on the right hand side (as i am facing towards Elton) and i went down it, there were a few houses on the right and a field with horses in on the left but the bridleway terminates in a gate in front of what looks like a hay storage building/farm or something with no clear signs to say which way to go next.

A little help/directions would be appreciated[:)]

ojoj · June 2007

you have to go through the gate and through the little farm (between the hay barn and the brick building). The track continues afterwards round to the left...

Peterborough/Cambridge area MTB'ers

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