North West England
Areas such as West Yorkshire have some of the most extensive networks of public bridleways in the country that wind through such picturesque landscapes as the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Bronte landscape of the South Pennine moors. Calderdale is not only at the heart of this network but also the home of the Singletack magazine empire (if you are passing, look us up). But there are a few trail centres starting to pop up too, which together with the natural trails in region add up to a hugely wide spectrum of riding opportunities.
-
Gisburn Forest
The forest is situated north of Clitheroe in an upland area on the eastern edge of the Forest of Bowland, not far from the Yorkshire Dales. The forest is managed by the Forestry Commission and is used by many different groups but the good news is that mountain bikers are about to get a significant injection of new singletrack trails in 2009.
-
Lee Quarry
2008 saw the launch of a new kind of “Trail Centre” nary a stone’s throw away from Singletrack Magazine’s HQ. Here’s the official report about how 2008 went and a few teasers about what’s in store.
-
South West Lake District
Benji drags Matt around one of the quieter areas of the Lake District.
-
The Isle Of Man
Isle Of Man: ‘Little Britain’. Hard slogs, epic views, summit bagging, coastal teetering, remoteness, technical playtimes, backyard exploring, fast and rocky, slow and rooty. You want it? It’s all here.
Words and pics by Benji Haworth. -
The South Lake District
James Lyon takes us on a trip to round a less well trodden part of the Lakes.
Photos by James and Richpips. -
The Western Lake District
whilst the Lake District is a busy and popular National Park, some of these routes really do take you into the back end of nowhere. Wasdale Head (the start of the medium and big loop routes) is miles away from anywhere sizeable and does not have the facilities of the bigger towns like Keswick or Ambleside.
-
Whinlatter
The Whinlatter Altura Mountain Bike Trail is an exciting new development within Whinlatter Forest Park. The 19 kilometre bike trial will be the longest purpose built trail in the Lake District and will involve 15 kilometres of new single track trail.
