Mountain Biking

Posted by BugbearPhantom@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 13 comments

Hi,

I’ll be moving to MK from Vancouver and I was wondering if there are any mountain biking trails in the area. I am trying to decide between selling my bike or bringing it with me.

[-]

ben8633@reddit

There’s some decent riding around MK and Woburn. Some places I won’t mention on here as they’re unofficial trails, but Aston Hill isn’t far away and is the home of downhill in the South East. Feel free to message when you arrive if you want someone to show you the local spots!

[-]

isaytruisms@reddit

Woburn bike park is the main one around there, and there's also an XC trail in the woods if that's your thing, as well as some off piste. There's not a huge amount of elevation, so you aren't going to find Vancouver style steeps or massive descents, but the dirt jumps and bike park lines are absolutely top notch.

Chicksands bike park is a similar vibe - pretty compact, short (1 minute) runs and push ups. Very feature heavy, super fun. Also has DJs.

Surrey Hills or Cannock are both about an hour and a half drive away. Good fun trail riding at Surrey, and a long trail centre/xc loop at Cannock.

We have lots of little push up style parks around the UK. Great community, and they're all pretty accessible within a couple of hours from Milton Keynes.

If you're looking for big, steep descents it's going to be a little further away. You'll need to head out to Wales or FOD. Also Scotland but that's definitely not a day trip.

Our 'whistler' equivalent is to head to the french Alps in summer. It's a long drive or a short flight, but well worth making a week of it. Enjoy!

[-]

rockandrollmark@reddit

As many have said, we have trails. Just don’t expect Vancouver standards of riding.

Woburn Sands has a couple of XC loops. Both together will give you about an hour of riding and they’re very good for what they are but the trail builders don’t have much in terms of elevation to work with.

Also at Woburn is Woburn bike park, which as others have mentioned is being redeveloped with the help of Matt Jones. That was already one of the best jump areas in the UK and I’m expecting it to be on another level once they’re done there.

Chicksands is another bike park not far from here (40 minute drive) which has a good reputation and is well maintained. People have mentioned Northampton Bike Park. Again it’s okay but there’s not much to keep your interest.

And then there’s Aston Hill which is reopening soon after Forestry Commission closed it due to issues with the health of the woodland.

As long as you’re not expecting hours of epic riding you’ll have fun and will definitely find something to keep your eye on, so to speak, but if you want big riding you’ll have to be prepared to travel. Peak District is good (c.2h drive), as is most of Wales.

And

[-]

uncertain_expert@reddit

MK has some of the best paths in the country, it’s not Amsterdam, but it is pretty decent still. Having a bike with you from day 1 will make getting around a lot easier especially in the short term when you have just arrived. That said, there are a couple of good bike shops in town so you could always buy once you arrive unless you are particularly fond/have extensively customised your current bike.

It’s not mountainous around MK. As others have said there is great bike-park style riding and XC routes around Woburn Sands, but don’t expect mile-long downhill tracks.

[-]

RecommendationNo1920@reddit

There's also Northampton Bike Park around 25 mins in the car and easily accessible from the train station as well.

https://northamptonbikepark.org/

[-]

nxpu2gs1t743@reddit

there used to be some decent mbx trails around amersham which isn't too far of a drive, haven't been in years though

[-]

oalfonso@reddit

Apsely Guise and Rushmere woods have a few MTB tracks and are accessible by bike from MK ( 20 - 30 min ride ).

[-]

Russ_mk@reddit

from mk you can get to from plenty great bike parks within a couple of hours

bring your bike and enjoy

[-]

Novida@reddit

We're pretty flat

There's a bunch of BMX tracks around and plenty of cycle paths, but not quite your niche perhaps

[-]

AJ3000AKA@reddit

Yes totally worth it, Woburn Sands has official trails along with a bike park that Matt Jones has been building. There are some "off piste" trails over Bow Brickhill which are really good fun. There is also a marked trail at Rushmere park which is a short ride from the trails at Woburn and Bow.

Chicksands is about a 40 minute drive away if you like jumps and four cross.

Then there's the city of Milton Keynes which doesn't have any "mtb trails" but lots of parks to ride in along bridal paths and foot paths. There is also a canal which runs through the middle which is fine to ride a bike on the tow path.

[-]