Mountain Biking in The Forest of Dean Options

[ObscuraSky]

Just got back from a couple of days Mountain Biking in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and just want to tell the world! Went out yesterday from 9 O'Clock in the morning and didn't finish until the very last light - I'm exhausted, but still on a high!

The first day we pretty much stuck to the FODCA trail and downhill; which was good, but not exactly thrilling, but on the second day we were lucky enough to have a local chap with us (actually the husband of the landlady we were staying with). He took us on some awesome routes, killer climbs and miles of singletrack. Can't tell you where because I have no idea, but the riding was awesome - and as good as anything I've ridden in England.

So I can definately reccommend the Forest of Dean, but (as with most places) it helps if you have access to local knowledge.

[Steve007]

Just got back from a couple of days Mountain Biking in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and just want to tell the world! Went out yesterday from 9 O'Clock in the morning and didn't finish until the very last light - I'm exhausted, but still on a high!

The first day we pretty much stuck to the FODCA trail and downhill; which was good, but not exactly thrilling, but on the second day we were lucky enough to have a local chap with us (actually the husband of the landlady we were staying with). He took us on some awesome routes, killer climbs and miles of singletrack. Can't tell you where because I have no idea, but the riding was awesome - and as good as anything I've ridden in England.

So I can definately reccommend the Forest of Dean, but (as with most places) it helps if you have access to local knowledge.

Yeah we did that one when we went. Place we stayed at (www.fodmtb.com) actually had maps and stuff and pedalabikeaway (the local bike shop/hire place) had some pretty awesome advice too and told us about hidden tracks and stuff.

Tbh singletrack around the Forest of Dean is not so difficult to find...aside from crossing a few wider forest tracks we pretty much stuck to single track...and we were out all day.

That place you are on about is the fountain in parkend...we were going to stay there but fodmtb was cheaper and had mobile phone reception...other place didnt and I cant survive without my phone!

[_tom_]

I loved the downhill bits. Huge climbs and that sort of thing arent really my kinda thing so probably would prefer sticking to the DH and FODCA (which is only short but still nackered me completely!).

[littlegirlbunny]

FoD is a pretty excellent place to ride. Good trails for all abilities. The FODCA trail is such a great intro to 'proper' off-road riding being technical enough to challenge riders without being so long that fitness is a serious issue.

And as for the DH courses? .........Woop!

[_tom_]

Fitness was a serious issue for me and Jes on the FODCA trail was my first proper trail ride in ages and I was knackered by the end of that + the downhill bits!