Epping Forest Epics

Rich · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 54 Location: Winchmore Hill N21

Anyone been to Bedgebury Forest - I'm looking for somewhere new to ride and wondered if anyone had been there ?

Cheers
Rich

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

best wait till its REALLY dry
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alaric · Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: Nea Makri, Greece

Em and I have been there a few times when we've been back, which means in the winter!

It does get a bit (!) boggy in places over the winter, but it's only in it's third year and the guys there have been working very hard to eliminate the wetter sections.

It's pretty good and certainly a nice change to Epping. There's only one waymarked XC route, which flows nicely but doesn't have any particularly technical or tricky sections.

As another alternative, have you been to Swinley Forest? It's not quite as far and drains much better. There are no waymarked routes, but you can put together a pretty good ride if you park in "The Look Out" car park (google it for the location) and ride up on the fireroads looking for singletracks to descend on. You do have to buy a permit, but it's cheap and you can also get a map which gives you an idea of the layout. Mike and Tonto have both been there, too.

Hope this helps a bit!

Alaric.
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Rich · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 54 Location: Winchmore Hill N21

Cheers guys...Tonto is it that bad in the wet ?

I guess what Im after is a more exteme Epping.....steeper, faster, more technical more of the time to test my ability so I can improve.

I heard Friston Forest was good too?

Ill also check out Swinley.

Bigguy · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 77 Location: South Woodford

I agree with Alaric, I haven't been to Bedgebury, so I can't compare but Swinley is good fun. I was there a few months ago with a mate and it has its extreme sections. I followed some locals to a down hill section and it was fantastic.

Some sections are to much for a cross country bike and you will need a downhill bike or at least a longer travel fork. I ended up snapping my wrist, but was having such a good day I carried on riding Embarassed

But if you change your mind about Bedgebury and decide to try Swinley then give me a shout and I would be keen to go again. Having said that, I would be keen to give Bedgebury a try, so if you keen for a day trip, I would happily join you. Wet or dry, no day on the bike is ever a wasted day.

Noel
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tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

Swinley is a great place to ride.

"It's the Coedy of the South!" E.O. 2005 Smile

Will be going there in 3 or 4 Sundays time (busy till then) - I'll post a heads up nearer the time.
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it's all good in the wood!

squirrel chaser · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: stratford

i rode at bedgebury two weekends ago, lots of the boggey bits look like theyve been filled in. its basically a 13km red route, which is interesting but its not on par with a welsh mtb red route, theres an interesting freeride / jump / northshore bit too. it was a very wet weekend and the trails were totally rideable.

swinley is much bigger though, and ive only been to each once, but would definately choose swinley if a straight choice

Rich · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 54 Location: Winchmore Hill N21

cool - thanks for the info guys.

I think ill check them both out over time......I'm determined to start riding out of Epping more so will stick them on the list.