Classic XC Venues in the South East

[philleeds]

Thetford Forrest gets my vote

 

[JustKev]

Most courses in the south east are sh1t. Thetford and Aldershot are okay but if I was travelling 6hrs plus I'd expect better terrain. Margam or Newnham would be better and have more old skool history but aren't so retro sympathetic now

 

[Augustus]

Goodwood Estate, if you need any help you know where I am

Mr K - 'Jonathan not Anthony' is right, Goodwood estate has a really really good course. Very similar to big dog's technical but not dangerous one. And with some good open sections.

They're also approachable as they already host the Goodwood Spring Challenge in April.

Very pretty British setting too. Might attract some foreigners in that way. ?

I know the press office if you need any more.

 

[Tad]

+1 for Goodwood.

 

[mrkawasaki]

Plenty to think about - thanks for the input so far. Will try and ride a few on the short list in the coming months.

Mr K

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

Another suggestion is the Aston Hills purpose-built course(s) near Wendover. Ian Warby at the CTC is your man for that one - ian.warby@ctc.org.uk.

Wendover was where mountain biking in Britain started, when in order to promote his Clelands, Geoff Apps subverted the local RoughStuff monthly ride back in 1982 . This ride still continues as the annual December Birthday ride. It was also the location for the 1985 and subsequent Wendover Bash events. So plenty of history and good rail links (London-Wendover or London to nearby Tring). Good road links including the A41. Other nearby good riding areas include the Ashridge forest and the surrounding Chiltern hills.

The other historic hotspots around London are the North Downs nr Guildford. Also, the Berkshire/Wiltshire Downs near Newbury and Hungerford. This area is criss-crossed with drove roads including the Ridgeway.

 

[mrkawasaki]

Any news of a Wendover Bash this year - would like to make it this time...

Mr K

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

2009 Birthday ride

This year's annual 'Cleland' reunion ride will take place on Sunday 6th December 2009.

Starting from the Petit Cafe (formally the Landon Tearooms) in Wendover Buckinghamshire.

This ride has a long tradition going back to when back in 1982, Geoff Apps' no getting off for the tricky bits philosophy, changed the nature of the local Roughstuff Fellowship ride forever.

http://www.james-walters.net/cleland/th ... -ride.html

 

[lionel]

Codham park

Near Braintree in Essex,

A fantastic private owned Bmx Track, and now with XC course,

Raced there this summer in the "mud sweat and gears" events put on by Sport Essex.

A great track lots going on:- ups, downs, rough, smooth, trees,clear, dryhard, sand, and wet bog in mid summer!

its a great track and first race held there this year. They're looking at improving for next year so look out.

http://www.bmxeast.com/contact/contact.htm

 

[elite504]

Ditto PORC, and the Gorrick venues. (the gorrick venues cover most of the tunnel hill, ash-vale etc venues suggested).
AFAIK, Beastway closed a coupel of years ago, ironically, when the olypic building started. . leaving. .
The other alternativeive of Brackenll forest/ swinley.
Rumor is is the 2012 xc venue, and the racing has been ongoing there for years and years. 10 mile loops are easy (as in the lap for the 100 enduro). Easy dual carriageway access from the M3, andit was MBUK venueof the year, or place to ride before you die or some-such a while back.
Good soul-riding venue or jump spot depeding on your mood. .