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I’m thinking of a weekend away in the van next weekend and don’t fancy spending it all driving. Uplifts booked out everywhere as well
I really want some nice steep offpiste, some Golfie-style stuff so what is there within a few hours drive of Southampton? Let’s say anywhere south of Birmingham
Have been to and absolutely loved Triscombe for reference
Yes, the Golfie close to Southampton is a bit moon-on-stick so obviously I’m looking for a compromise here!
I'd say FOD, there is so much to choose from there.
Hindhead and parts of Surrey hills we don't talk about as a plan B
Rogate?
(Not off-piste, obviously!)
There's plenty of steep offpiste riding around the South Wales valleys ,only a couple of hours away from Southhampton too.
FOD or Risca sound about what you’re after. FOD has smaller overall hills so it’s less of a beast climbing I’d suggest. I’ve played around various bits of FOD and it’s quite easy to hit 40km and about 1200m of climbing without feeling brutalised bu the climbs.
I’ve not been to Risca but have been to Cwmcarn and it’s the length of the hills and constant varying terrain. If you do 20k you’ll have probably done between 1000-2000m of climbing at Risca I’d imagine.
Visit the Quantocks again!
Or...
Haldon Off-piste, easily enough for a couple of days.
Dartmoor/Lustleigh Cleave + Tavi Woods.
Dursley/Nibley.
Can’t go wrong with Triscombe and the Quantocks for a weekend. Haven’t tried wild overnight van stays there as I live too close but I’m sure you could get away with it.
There’s plenty of steep offpiste riding around the South Wales valleys ,only a couple of hours away from Southhampton too.
+1
I recently rode Risca, Barry Sidings (Pontypridd) and Afan masts.
All three offer just what you want, and are easy enough to navigate using Trailforks and your nose.
If you only have two days, don't miss Risca out. It's the best new place I've ridden in ages.
Thanks!
Looks like Barry & Risca it is. Small possibility of Triscombe if whoever ends up coming has never been, might be funny to scare my Dad a bit
Tavi on the cards for a future trip though, did Gawton a few times when the uplift was running and loved that
EDIT: Barry Sidings looks all feasibly doable in a day but Risca maybe not, any particular standout tracks?
I think there're actually more tracks at Barry Sidings, just less of them are on trailforks. It is pretty techy there generally, but there are some fast bermy bits as well.
Locals were really helpful with advice and letting me tag on for the odd run too.
Risca, I haven't ridden everything but would strongly recommend Ronduro and Jonduro - and wacko Jacko was good too.
There's a DH run with some big features if you like that sort of thing too.
Sloughton has some. Closer to home too