Trails around Northamptonshire

Coolnick

Anyone know of any decent trails around Northamptonshire? I'm going to try Cannock Chase soon, but would like to try some new trails closer to home.

Unknown

Where in Northants are you, and what sort of ride are you looking for ?

edit - now I've read your sig, have you tried Harleston Firs ? mtbTreads meet at Delapre wednesday evenings check out their website at http://www.treadsmtb.co.uk/

Coolnick

I live about half a mile from the Firs Boris, go there 1 or 2 evenings a week. Anywhere else worth trying?

mrjiey

I live in northamptonshire, and theres pretty much no mtb riding to do around here. instead i tend to do raod riding to keep my fitness up and save my self for the lakes etc.

Derbyshire isnt too far away, and theres loads of riding to be done there...

Unknown

Irchester Country Park, not very big but you can create some interesting circuits within the woods. Chicksands and Woburn sands aren't too far away.
Northants does tend to be more suitable for cross country meanderings just following bridleways and footpaths and seeing where you end up.

Coolnick

Will check out Irchester CP then. Where's Chicksands? I know Woburn but not ridden, how difficult are these 2 to ride?

Unknown

Chicksands is at Rowney Warren see http://www.bedsfattrax.org/ it has a short XC trail (waymarked about 3 or 4 miles), some shore, freeride area, dirt jumping and a wicked 4X.
Drop me a line if your going to Irchester as we haven't been for a while.

Coolnick

Will do, thanks for ideas. Whats Irchester like compared to Harlestone Firs out of interest? What bike you got?

soulsaverwmb

Been exploring Northampton myself this year as I am living up there now on and of as my girlfriend lives there.

As Boris said it is mainly cross country stuff, nothing that exciting. I quite often do a bridleway route on the 3 shires way and swan way. I start from Wootton,get on the 3 shires way through Salcey forset and onto swans way then rejoin the 3 shires way at Emberton all the way to the otherside of Harrod however this route is no good after rain and a lot of it is hard work due to horse riders churding up the ground. Check out http://www.sillygrins.co.uk/ they have some routes on there.

I tried out Woburn the other week for the first time but managed to break my jockey wheel on my rear mech so had to cut the ride short after about 1/2hr and retire to the Fir pub instead [:D] First impressions of it were ok, a bit sandy so makes riding hard work but there are some nice little bits of single track and some mental jumps. Hope to get back soon as its going to take quite a while to explore everything it has to offer. You also have to pay to ride there. I think you either have to give the warden œ2 if you bump into him or a get a permit which is œ10 a year.

Boris mention to me sometime back about Irchester but I yet to ride there.I did managed to lure the girlfriend there for a walk so I could check it out, what I saw looked good, some nice little sections however its very small.

Dan

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Coolnick

Cheers for your reply Dan, the 3 shires could be worth a jaunt sometime soon.

elguid

Watch yourself at the firs- i keep hearing of chavs trying to knock people off bikes with sticks in the wheels and i have even heard that a couple where mugged off their bike there a few weeks back.

I muddled up sometimes words my get

Coolnick

Wouldn't surprise me. Will have to take a baseball bat in my rucksack next time ha ha chav scum

Unknown

If you do take a bat make sure you take a ball aswell. A bat is a weapon, a bat with a ball is sports equipment.

guilliano

Get the train to Tring, come riding with me through the Chilterns, have a few beers afterwards and get the train back.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Coolnick

Like your thinking on that one Boris! I will join the Leisure Lakes guys tonight as they always ride on Thursday night and said I can join them. Don't reckon I'll keep up though!

Piemanwmb

Its good to see someone else riding in the county, if you want to try out the east side (Rushden/Higham area) drop me or Boris a line as we are always out.

Unknown

Maybe time for a "Northants Forum Ride" [:0]

Coolnick

Sounds a good plan - surprised by response to this thread - thought I was on
my jack!

Unknown

Sweet jesus....i was just looking at what it would cost to get a train from peterborough to northampton, yes im bored, and it takes between 3-4 hours?!!?! I need to find a way to strap my bike to my motorbike.....

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Wrath '07

Coolnick

What a joke, especially as only about 45 mins drive by road along A605, A45! On seperate train lines I think, damn Rail network!!

Unknown

...oh and it costs œ40+ for the pleasure...and thats off peak. I would use public transport more if it was actually practical.

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Wrath '07

Coolnick

I can get a flight to Edinburgh for that same price! Joke isn't it!?

Unknown

You could get the Nene Valley service out as far as Wansford [:o)]

Coolnick

Boris, what bike do you have?

Unknown

2006 Mongoose Tyax Super.

Coolnick

Cool, nice bike. I'm just getting back into riding since me and mrs had a baby last yr, sapped my money and time but worth it! Starting to upgrade my 'hopper - new project!

mcobiewmb

Guys, i regularly go out with Treads. They are a great bunch of lads and have shown me some excellent trails which are usually very quite, plus some "hidden" stuff in Harelston. It has amazed me how much great riding there is right on our doorstep. Also, i work in Milton Keynes, and usually put a notice on the Treads site once a week for a ride at Woburn Sands after work.

Meet at delapre golf club car park every wednesday evening at 6:30 or every sunday morning at 8:30 at the same place. Wed rides are usually done by 9pm and sundays by 1pm.

I think the website has already been mentioned, but once again; www.treadsmtb.co.uk

mrjiey

If you guys do get together, could i join in, i live the other side of northampton near long buckby, and my riding partners just had a arm op so i ride alone, which aint quite as good...

Piemanwmb

If you fancy a ride around the Rushden/Higham area sometime let me know. We are not riding this weekend due to other commitments but we usually ride every weekend.