Kavi93
stranger
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 7
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Hi, I live in London ad was wandering if anyone knew any great places to ride in london which are also easy to get to. Thanks
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AndyWaterman
journeyman
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 61
Loc: Croydon UK
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Epping forest, Swinley forest and the north downs all fit the bill. All really good.
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Kavi93
stranger
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 7
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Thanks. Do you think these places would be suitable for a young beginner as I'm only 15.
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AndyWaterman
journeyman
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 61
Loc: Croydon UK
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Depends how fit you are really. If you're pretty fit then taking the train down to Dorking (I hop on the train at Clapham Junction), riding out to the North Downs to join up witht the Nirvana trail ride shouldn't be a problem. Would end up being about 3 hours of riding though, so you need to be fit.
Depends where you live too — south east London isn't easy to get anywhere good, Southwest london — Swinley and North Downs are easy by train. North West London — Swinley. North East — Epping is riding distance.
Have a look at some clubs too. VCL based at Herne Hill concentrate on track riding, but they've got a really active youth/junior section and they do quite a lot of trips to places like South Wales. They'll help you have a go at tack racing too, with a borrowed bike and stuff. It's a really good laugh, loads of MTB'ers turn up at their Saturday morning sessions during the Spring/Summer.
Here's their link: http://www.vcl.org.uk/offroad/
In east London team economic energy are pretty active — do a search for them.
Lastly, keep an eye on www.londoncyclesport.com and have a look at www.beastway.com, which is an XC race series held over the summer on a wednesday evening.
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kitch
newbie
Reged: 03/04/2007
Posts: 48
Loc: London
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Well said Andy Waterstones.
There's also Bedgebury in Kent which is 50mins from my place in south-east London. Can get very churned up and muddy, but worth a visit during the week when it's a bit quieter.
Plus Aston Hill, Woburn, PORC etc etc — there's trails all around the Smoke to be honest
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KITCH
Editor, MBR
www.mbr.co.uk
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very_light_blue
stranger
Reged: 03/02/2008
Posts: 1
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Swinley forest in Bracknell would be ideal, all levels of trails plus not too muddy this time of year.
Easy access from London (assuming you live west or south) by train or car if someone will give you a lift.
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Kavi93
stranger
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 7
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Thanks everyone. Great help. I will definately check these places out.
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mattaw
stranger
Reged: 14/03/2008
Posts: 3
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swinley defo! my local riding spot (well 1 train away!) just get the reading train from waterloo and get off at martins heron and its only a mile or so till you get to the forest(just look for coral reef swimming pool!)
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Kavi93
stranger
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 7
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Thanks. Do you know what the prices are for the waterloo train to reading?
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AndyWaterman
journeyman
Reged: 30/11/2006
Posts: 61
Loc: Croydon UK
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www.nationalrail.co.uk
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Uncle_Riotous
stranger
Reged: 28/07/2008
Posts: 2
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If you like the idea of riding on wood you could check out Esher Shore (http://www.eshershore.com), it should be fairly easy to get to but I haven't done it yet.
Leith Hill would be a pain to get to (unless you've got parents who could give you a lift) however I took my nine year old and one of his mates down to Coldharbour to do the Regurgitator, Summer Lightning and the Bomb Holes. If you're going to go out and ride them though I would take someone with you and a mobile phone each. Don't go out on Billy no mates rides and do stuff that you're now really confident about in case something goes wrong.
You could try and hook up with the muddy moles who do rides out in that area twice a week, you might find someone who could give you a lift in from a local station (but I didn't volunteer anyone).
Which part of London do you live in?
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Uncle Riotous
www.brokendrumrecords.com
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