Routes in Surrey

Atz
Atz Posts: 1,383
edited June 2007 in Routes
I'm looking for some routes suitable for a newbie (I'm still a bit unfit), preferably accessible by rail in Surrey. Any idea where I can go to find details (don't mind buying maps etc) or indeed does anyone know good routes that fit the bill?

Comments

  • Kestrel_daos
    Kestrel_daos Posts: 932
    Atz, there is a lot of general riding in Surrey, although most is roaming stuff, rather than focussed technical stuff (or, so I have discovered). I would recommend getting across to either Peaslake or Holmbury St Mary, which are both East of Guildford. The riding around that area is really excellent, and you can just roam around, as there is a great density of great stuff to ride.

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  • majorbloodnock
    majorbloodnock Posts: 3,255
    Whereabouts in Surrey are you based, Atz?

    Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat
    Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat
  • Atz
    Atz Posts: 1,383
    I'm around Kingston so pretty much as far east in Surrey as you can go into London
  • majorbloodnock
    majorbloodnock Posts: 3,255
    OK. Basically, you've got two ranges of hills running approximately East/West through Surrey; the North Downs and the Surrey Hills. The Surrey Hills wander from Blackdown around Haslemere, then along the South side of the A25 (encompassing Leith Hill) and on to Dorking. Most of the decent MTBing is on one or other of those ranges. The fact that the two ranges are at their closest about halfway between Guildford and Dorking means that's probably the most popular area of all, since you can easily put together a route combining part of the North Downs with Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill - all of which contain some really sweet singletrack. However, you can still get good riding around Haslemere (aforementioned Blackdown, perhaps combined with parts of the Devil's Punchbowl) and East of Dorking (Box Hill and around).

    Although not in Surrey, you do have another pretty reasonable option which is Swinley Forest near Bracknell. It's a self-enclosed area, but has a very good reputation.

    Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat
    Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat
  • Active_Fuel
    Active_Fuel Posts: 3
    Some great comments above. For something for the beginner with some purpose tracks see Queen Elizabeth Park, you can ride there from Petersfield train station. They have some marked routes and purpose built single track. A easy starting place with cafe for a refuel after the ride as well.

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