MTB how gnarly or how extreme will you go

l really enjoy a few hours out on the bike exploring the back roads forest trails and mountains that we have within a couple of minutes ride of our house. A good friend of mine has become hooked on the hard core down hill thrills that you get from a bike park and we have one of the gnarliest and most extreme bike parks right in our back yard and he has said many a time l should go for a look. but that type of riding is way out of my comfort zone and not something l would ever try

so how extreme do you like to ride and do we have any downhill racers on the forums

 

My local bike shop (2wheelonly in Tamworth) at every big on MTBs, some epic looking machinery in there. I’ve not ever tried off road cycling, I’m a road cyclist, have a new carbon machine that is unbelievable, the older alloy bike (cf forks/steerer) is now the winter bike.
Sounds like some fun to be had in your locality, some action shots would be good.

 

l have never been a fan of cycling on the roads around here as l think it is a bit dangerous very rural roads all 60mph and lots of corners and some very impatient drivers. some of the overtakes that l see performed are just crazy passing a cyclist into a blind bend at 60mph is just nuts and due to the nature of the roads larger vehicles just cant give you the room as they pass so l prefer to stay away from the traffic



that is taken about 30 minutes into a ride from our house and you don't get much traffic up there

 

Looks stunning. Total removal from all the stress that daily life throws at you/us. That’s what I love about cycling, nobody can call/email/message etc, well, they can but I just ignore them! As a bonus it is great for the heart and mental health.
I know what you mean, roads are not good places for two thin wheels and a plastic helmet for protection, but I avoid the main roads and the busy times. We bought a house on the edge of B’ham, I’m 5 mins into Staffordshire and the network of lanes around. Regularly cross into North Derbyshire and even Leicestershire, hardly see a car/van/truck if I work out a good route.
Planning on 100 miles in a day next week, if the weather and health holds out! Did 65 in a day last week, a warm up of 45 on Sunday last.

 

I've been to Bike Park Wales with an XC bike which was fine on the blue trails. I've not done the Athertons park by you, but I don't think it's my thing. Nant-y-Arian was more my sort of riding

 

the blue trails at Bike park wales are about as extreme as l would go l don't think l would venture on to the red trails, there is some good trails at Nant-y-Arian but even there some of the single track is a bit to much for me hammering down hill with huge conifer trees inches from your bars leaves no room for error

but after 6.00pm tonight all my riding will have to be in either Dyfi or Llyfnant for the next few weeks due to wales lock down

 

Is Cli-machX still there? Used to enjoy that, the last bit is hard is places

 

yes it still there and still open. l cant believe it is fifteen years since the opened that trail

 

I’m officially getting old and falls are becoming more painful, I guess in essence the idea is to remain on the pedals and avoid.
Fortunately, Scotland has many trails and hills to full Munro mountains for a varied ride out and you don’t have to go far to find the descents.

I’m progressively getting less confident at picking myself up and dusting off the fall, albeit I’ve tried very hard (and succeeded) to share the interest with my son and have father son time on the hills. we both thoroughly enjoy and I’m spending less time covered in muck with friends and more time on the hills with my son. (My time at home is precious as I work away half the year)

My bike choice has changed & I now favour the cyclocross for trail riding, the trails match my sons ability and often challenging on a cyclocross, though balanced. It’s only a matter of time before I destroy the bike, that’s my subconscious mind to upgrade! though a lot of fun and eery moments are past in the process.

In regards to how extreme, ultimately, its riding within your comfort zone (perhaps a wee bit outwith) and enjoyment, fall outwith and the consequences are dire!
I never thought I’d suggest road/canal paths as an enjoyable day out, however last month we cycled from Glasgow to Edinburgh along the canals following the history, definitely one of the more memorable rides this year!

But there’s no getting away from the adrenaline of blasting down a rock path from mountain summits and irresponsibly scattering walkers with notable respect and apology!

 

Anyone enjoyed this one? Just a sample video.



Peter

 

Challenge accepted
We were to do it this year, a combination of me shattering my knee and Covid put a stop to such fun....
Lecht ski centre also has a couple of downhill runs

 

now that is the sort of extreme downhill course that l was on about and Fort William is one of the best in the UK and features every year on the MTB world cup calendar and no l have never ridden there l am to much of a wuss

 

you wont be doing that on your cyclocross bike you will have to break out the full suspension bike for that day out

 

Scary run from my perspective. My son has been involved in running the event, since its first year at Nevis Range. Grandsons go and watch the World Cup Event.

Can't help but have sad memories, when I see the run. Close friends son was doing well in the downhill event, as a 'local'. Great passion for it and known to be fearless. Evidenced in the pictures I've seen. His life got cut short in a road accident, (no fault of his) and it left many of us devastated.

Peter

 

so sorry to hear about the loss of your friends son, i know how you feel having lost a nephew in an rta just weeks before his 18th birthday. a very inexperienced driver and probably the first time he encountered ice on the road so sad

 

that is one of the extreme runs on the new bike park near us and the top of that trail is just so gnarly i scares me just watching it on the video

 

Stuff that for "a game o' sodjers", I'd be more impressed if you had to cycle up first . You'll have guessed I'm not a 'bike-ist'

 

you sit on the ski lift pondering the wild ride that is ahead of you on the way down

 

Aye, I saw that bit.