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Afternoon all,
I'm in Dorset for the week helping to run a Scout camp, but knowing I'd have plenty of time to myself whilst the kids are on organised activities, I've also got my bike with me. 🙂
I'm based in Corfe Castle, and from what I've been able to figure out, it looks like the best place to head is Puddletown Woods, so was wondering if anyone has any tips?
Being a fat old knacker on a 140/130 FS bike, I'm not interested in anything seriously downhill. I'd say my sweet spot is probably around the level of the blue trails at BPW for reference. I can ride the reds there, but would be a little nervous about doing so on trails I don't know, also not knowing if there will be anyone else around if I do break myself! 😆 I think it sounds like Puddletown is the right sort of ballpark, but would be nice to know for sure.
It would also really help to know if there's decent Vodafone 4G coverage there, for ease of navigation by phone?
Puddletown is a lot of fun! It’s all unofficial so have your wits about you as there are gap jumps and drops in unexpected places. Phone reception is ok and some stuff is on Trailforks and Strava. Gets pretty overgrown so wear knee pads if you have them to minimise gorse pain. The steep stuff in the rhododendrons and the pine plantations can be hard if it’s slippery but it’s probably dry now.
See if anyone on the Ride Puddletown Facebook group is around to give you a tour. It’s pretty hard to explain where everything is!
Thanks. From the sound of it, maybe I'll do touring tomorrow instead and wait to get accepted into the Puddletown FB group before riding there. Unexpected gap jumps and drops are probably best avoided, given that everyone else would be stuffed if I couldn't drive the kit van back at the end of the week! 😆
To whoever.... (and obvs not the OP)
Please don’t build “unexpected gap jumps” unofficially in woods. You’ll get everyone chucked out.
There’s an element of “unofficial” stuff that is tolerated anywhere but don’t go too far with it.
Watch a load of Ben Deakin vids.on YouTube. He rides in there a lot. Maybe even message him for tips?
Ha! We walked that exact bit with the Scouts today! 🙂
I think that's what I'm going to do - Purbeck Way to Headland Point (?) then looping back further north.
Lots of good riding over the Purbecks where you are based, but not a huge amount of technical stuff.
Don't be put off by talk of gap jumps at Puddletown, as mentioned it's all unofficial so there is lots of random bits, but the area isn't huge and as long as you take it steady first time down a trail so you can see what's coming up you'll be fine.
I'd do the lovely loop down into swanage, through the golf course, past frank's tank and back to the castle. I'll see if I can find a gpx.
I think @DrP had some good routes plotted.
I ride in the purbecks a lot, lookup Frank's tank on trailforks as that's a lot of fun and links up nicely to the rempstone trail and other routes.
There's a really nice 8mile loop around corfe though that the bike guy at norden park and ride can point out. Big climb but fun woods bit.
Wareham forest is nice as well and not too far, similar to puddletown and takes a bit to spot trails, but less hardcore than p'town.
Wareham forest is nice as well and not too far, similar to puddletown and takes a bit to spot trails, but less hardcore than p’town.
Ah yes, Wareham is a good shout as well.
If you're driving then park here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sherford+Bridge/ @50.7327237,-2.1155299,285m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd03831a06c486ad6!8m2!3d50.7335781!4d-2.115703
and head to the trig point. Theres trails all over, follow your nose and explore.
it's very soft mud even when dry. I used to go when I was a student for the duel track which was ropey but fun. Some huge gaps though I avoided nearby. Nice jumps.
Don't flash your lights in the carpark 🙂
I’ll bet at P-town in an hour or so if you’re planning on riding there today....
Park at Corfe, Rempstone Forest to Studland, Old Harry's, Frank's Tank back to Corfe. Then the most important part out to Worth Matravers to the Square and Compass 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 Home made Cider and Pasties! Boom!
All perfectly rideable on a HT 😀
Another vote for Purbecks, it's great riding.
Wareham Forest is lot less steep than ptown, lots of fun sandy single track sections, definitely nothing more than a blue. Wareham Forest is only a few miles ride from Corfe too.
Thanks for all the advice guys.
I ended up doing an XC loop from Corfe Castle, up onto the ridge, along to Old Harry then back on the flat ground through the nature reserves to Corfe Castle again. About 20 miles in total, not an adrenaline fix, but really nice to just be out on my own in glorious countryside to unwind and start being properly on holiday! 🙂