Mountainbike holiday in the UK where to go for beginners?

mad_wally · January 2020

Hi,
I am from Holland and my wife and I would like to spend our summer holidays mountainbiking. We are both over 50 and have just started so the trails should be easy to medium and climbing should be limited to max 1500 ft for a 20 to 30 mile trip.

My wife proposed the lake district, however it appears the trails are pretty steep, huge amounts of climbing, very technical trails and then the weather...

We want to take the ferry to Hull so we are looking for a destination somewhere in that area. Alternatives could be North York Moors, Peak District or Yorkshire Dales but all options are open.

As I said, easy to medium trails, no excessive climbing an preferably some chance of good weather.

Any recommendations?

slowmart · January 2020

Have you considered Wales? They have numerous and excellent man made trails, well signed and graded with most having great cafes for post ride refreshments.

https://soles.michelin.com/mountain-biking-centres-wales/

https://www.cyclinguk.org/trail-centres-wales

davep1 · January 2020

The Lake District is stunning, but you really have to like climbing! The North Yorks moors and the Peak District are also hard work, plus all three areas can have really bad weather.
I know the area east of York is pretty flat, lots of WW2 airfields there. I haven't ridden there myself but I'm sure someone could advise routes.
What time of year are you coming? I would recommend June July August or September, you are more likely to get better weather and if it does rain the ground will dry quicker.

billycool · January 2020

The Peak District is suitable depending on where you go. The Southern (White) Peaks aren't as technical as the North (Dark) Peaks.

Have a look at the Tissington Trail and Manifold Way/Valley.

As for the weather - there are no guarantees! Anything in Yorkshire and the Peaks can be variable but the summer months should be the best.

mad_wally · January 2020

Thanks for your response. We haven't yet determined when we will go but probably July or August.
Is the weather in Wales generally better than in Yorkshire?

webboo · January 2020

Generally the weather will worst in Wales as it’s nearer the Atlantic and has higher mountains/hills than Yorkshire.
All Yorkshire can be very hilly, there’s is a lot of varied terrain and places like Dalby Forrest have trails that very from easy to hard. If you are planning a mix of trail and road ( which you will have to if you are doing 30 miles circuits) the the Yorkshire Wolds are pretty good.

joeyhalloran · January 2020

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/beginner-mountain-biking-weekend-in-the-uk-recommendations/

This is the thread I ask for a similar recommendation. I ended up booking a place on the Welsh border but haven't gone yet so can't yet comment.

mad_wally · January 2020

We've narrowed it down to either North York Moors National Park or Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Is there a website with a complete overview of marked mountain bike trails in the UK and perhaps a website with trails in .gpx format? I found www.alltrails.com however when I look at Holland less than a third of the marked trails are shown.

robertpb · January 2020

Try these,
https://pedalnorth.com/yorkshire-dales-mountain-bike-routes/
https://cyclethedales.org.uk/route_type/mtb/
https://www.komoot.com/guide/47704/mtb-trails-in-north-yorkshire
https://www.mbr.co.uk/routes/northern-england/yorkshire-mountain-bike-routes-362955
They should keep you busy.

bigmitch41 · January 2020

7 Stanes in Scotland is well worth considering, choose a location (near Dalbeattie?) which allows you to have a go at several of the trails in one visit.

https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/activities/mountain-biking/7stanes

Mountainbike holiday in the UK where to go for beginners?

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