riding in the UK... which bike/where??

[mr636]

gday farkers,

im contemplating a move to the UK for a bit.
im trying to work out where to live, and which of my bikes to take.

im primarily after DH/freeride, and a bit of all mountain xc stuff.

i have a glory with totem solo airs, and a reign X0.

anyone got a clue?

ive searched all over, and cant find much info.

cheers;)

[{ScarFace}]

Have a look at Mountain Bike UK
they've got a few good track suggestions
Otherwise you're on you're own. :confused:

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

it'll cost you a fortune to take both bikes over to the UK. If you can get cheap enough freight though I'd maybe consider taking the Reign X over. Otherwise you should be able to pick up a second-hand bike whilst you're there.

As for places to ride, you can't go past Glentress and Innerleithan in the borders region of Scotland. there are shitloads of Forestry Commission tracks around the borders although they're the best two places (and their only a few miles from each other) and they organise regular up-lifts. The Hub at Glentress also offer DH bike hire but it is a tad expensive (I was paying about 60 quid for a day's hire back in 2006)

Of course in order to enjoy all this class riding you'd have to base yourself either in Glasgow, Newcastle or Edinburgh. Not actually that bad an idea as they're all ace cities with brilliant nightlife. Glasgow also has the advantage of being the closest to Fort William and the UK's only lift accessible DH run.

For more info on Glentress and other ace riding spots check out http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/

[dcrofty]

If you don't think you can go up north consider getting close to Wales as well. Their government has been building a heap of trails over there and they have the Dragon Downhills as well.

You could try getting in touch with Tnankie. He lives in that part of the world and rides all over the place and no doubt has some suggestions for you.

[mr636]

thanks heaps for all the replies!
Edinburgh was actually another spot i was thinking of.
its actually looking like the favourite at the moment.

another thought was cardiff...

thanks again:D

[big dan]

another vote for edinburgh.

Glentress is awesome as is innerleithen. I rode a few of the southern England spots and they really dont compare to the Scottish stuff. Have heard great reports on welsh trails as well.

[MrPlow]

I lived in Cambridge for my stint (got back in Nov) and even though the riding was non existant there, you got chicksands 3/4 hour away. and we even did day trips to cwamcarn, and aston hill (near london).
There is a mtb park down near stone henge that i didnt make, but my mates there said its great too.
Like Aus there are pockets of good riding everywhere, I bought a bike from a guy down south london suburbs ont he way to brighton and he said the DH ther (push runs) were great fun and his mate owns the cwm carn service so he knows his riding.
Have fun, one thing though, be prepared for the expense, iof you can actually comprehend how cheap we got it here, your doing far better than me!!

[axertes]

I don't know about mountain biking in the UK, but I would never want to live in Glasgow: it's a hole (in my opinion, please don't flame me). Edinburgh is a great city and isn't much further from Fort William. Edit: I wasn't very descriptive. I mean Edinburgh is a GREAT city: one of the best in the UK.

Is there much mountain biking opportunity in the Peak District? That way you could base yourself out of Manchester/Sheffield/Nottingham.

Again, I don't know, but I would guess that mountain biking in Wales would be more in the North.

[sims59]

If I were you I would move to North Devon, great vibes some Ok surf and good biking all round the coast also on the moors, some say you can ride a different track every weekend and not ride the same one for a couple of years, the weather better than up in Scotland so a few more dry rides ;) , you're also little more than an hour from south Wales two/three to North Wales, you have Cheddar gorge not to far away, that has some v. good down hill tracks. Scotland has some very good down hill and single tracks and if you're not English (like me) they will make you quite welcome but on the down side the weather's cold and wet most of the year :) and the weather changes at the blink of an eye on the hills so more baggage to take on a ride. I lived in Brighton in Sussex and was five-seconds ride from the South downs if you like xc you could do a lot worse than the South downs way, had some epic all day ride up on the hills.

[kbrembo]

I am from The Highlands of Scotland(Inverness) and now live in Perth WA

Scotland has huge amounts of world class MTB and large sums are being spent on various trails/styles all over the country(Scotland)

Edinburgh is a fantastic city with lots of well paid jobs!

Go There!

Good Luck

[happychappy]

im from the UK. check out : southerndownhill.co.uk and descentworld.co.uk for info on where to ride and race.

im in brisbane for a holiday with my DH bike for 4wks if u know any1 to help me get to the mt's.

cheers neil
0420757140

[axertes]

I am from The Highlands of Scotland(Inverness)

Ride to Fort William along Loch Ness! I walked a good part of that trail last year and it was absolutely beautiful. Dunno if you're supposed to ride it, but I saw a couple of cyclists on there.

No offence to brembo, but I wouldn't personally want to live in Inverness. A bit sleepy for me. Then again I live in Toowoomba.

[kbrembo]

No offence to brembo, but I wouldn't personally want to live in Inverness. A bit sleepy for me. Then again I live in Toowoomba.[/QUOTE]

None Taken:) But is much more alive than Perth WA:D