Information on the mountain bike routes shown on the map:
These are our suggestions whch are arrowed on the map and described on the reverse. They are aimed at intermediate to experienced mountain bikers. If you a are a reasonably fit beginner then we would recommend that you use the map to adapt the routes to avoid the technical sections and maybe shorten accordingly.
Crank it Up
15 miles
A great selection of downhills. This ride is a bit of an oddity in that there seems to be more downhills than uphills! However as you'd expect you don't get something for nothing. You get a mile warm up before there's sweat dripping off your nose as you work your way up Chinley Churn. A lovely grassy descent, followed by a short section of singletrack, followed by a technical steep rutted grass descent that brings you to a grass path that leads to Peep O'Day. Then it's soon time to test your brakes again on a track descent that carries on on tarmac to bring you along a valley for the steepest climb of the day, unless you are superhuman this will probably involve about 15 minutes of walking. This is soon forgotten as you progress over the moor and then a truly wonderful flowing descent that should have you bouncing with joy. It's not over yet as a bit of tarmac joins you to another track which after a bit more work gives you a final flying lunge back to lane which winds nicely back to the finish.
Oh Fork!
18 miles
Up to the heights of South Head before a 700 feet downhill blast. Skirt Chinley Churn, or use the map to take in an extra uphill and downhill, then you're soon pulling into Birch Vale and possibly for refuelling at the cafe. Then off towards Rowarth and the most technical descent of the day, then onto a bridleway over the moors, shortly followed by some sweet singletrack in the heather. A mixture of gritty tracks, grassy sections and a fast descent followed by a short last leg on a lane will bring you back to the finish. A very varied ride that should leave you tired & satisfied at the finish.
Spoke to Soon
14 miles
A mile warm up and then you're faced with a mighty climb. All rideable if fit enough, though that won't stop your legs gradually turning to jelly as you approach the top. A quick breather and then you've soon a challenging steep downhill. A short section of tarmac then links to a lovely singletrack descent. Now all that height you ahve just lost you are about to make up. Out on a lane to get your poise back. Start to climb , nothing to drastic, until you take a left turn for some proper climbing. A short section of relief and then your off-road climbing again. A short section might have you walking but grit your teeth and you'll soon be on your way again. A short hairy downhill then leads to a fast cindery drive before you have an easy climb to more downhill. Still you are not finished but you have only two more uphills left - OK none easy and quickly forgotten by two lovely downhills, one a long grasy swoosh and the other a fitting finale that throws a good assortment of surfaces at you to take you back to Hayfield.
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