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As a London-based rider I was really impressed with Chopwell Wood when I was rode there before Easter.
Lots of nice flow and long singletracks through a variety of terrain. There was shore there too but it had just snowed and some of the wood had yet to dry (or at least that's my excuse!)
I only got 2/3rds down because of we were filming but what I was surprised about was that there were hardly any other riders there! Ok, so the hum of the powerlines above probably aren't doing you any favours health-wise but if I lived close to this track I'd be there every weekend!
Here's the video:
Chopwell is really good fun thought you need to know your way round. Think most people do the power line once as part of a loop.
I've just rediscovered chopwell, used to do it on a Tuesday night many years ago. I'd forgotten how fun it is zipping down the single track that has a natural feel to it.
Powerline is also a lot of fun.
Nice classy video.
I'm sure I was there that day!!
If someone came past you three times on a red specialised stumpjumer that was me.
Haha, yes I think I remember you! It was on Thursday I think just before Good Friday! I hope we didn't get in your way whilst we were filming... I tried to listen out for riders (although there was just you and another sessioning the trail) but I couldn't hear over the buzz of the powerlines!
When I come back up I will have to drop you a line to find out where those other trails are! It's so nice to have a local spot that has a long descent!
Thanks for the props too! 😀
Cool vid, but the bottom third that you missed is my favourite bit!!
Nice and chilled. Really must get up there again soon as it's only 1/2 hour away 🙂
Loads more there than the powerline. For a small wood it packs it in. Good guide in the beyond Hamsterley book that will form the basis of any exploring. Maybe one for a STW ride later in the year. With all this rain it is going to be really gloopy now.
Really nicely shot. I like that. I'm fortunate enough to be able to ride to chopwell from home. Ironically I tend to miss the power line out and do the other more natural singletracks. It's a fun track though. You may struggle to find the other tracks though
Thanks for the positive comments on the vids guys! Like I said, if I lived there I'd be there all the time haha! You don't get anything like that (especially with the shore dotted around the trail) around the London area so it was a delight to ride! That and Hamsterley of course, which is another video I'll post here at some point. Hopefully I'll be back at Chopwell soon so I can check out the bottom half... apparently it's nice and fast! We were at Chopwell only for the afternoon and spent probably three and a bit hours filming (knackering stuff!) Next time I'll go for the day!
Nice edit. If you are back in the area post something up. I'm sure some of us local types can show you some more natural stuff to ride in Chopwell. There is 100x more trail to go at than just the Powerline.
Same goes for Hamsterly. Lots of good "off piste" riding.
Only just seen this. Really nice vid. You make the Powerline seem much longer than it actually is.
[i]I'm fortunate enough to be able to ride to chopwell from home. Ironically I tend to miss the power line out and do the other more natural singletracks.[/i]
Me too. I rode the Powerline last night as a couple of others had come down from Northumberland for a visit. That must be the first time I've ridden it in over a year.
I live [i]fairly[/i] close, but I've only ever been once. Did the Outside line trail and the Powerline, enjoyed it, but wasn't over-whelmed with it.
Does anyone have any tips to finding the off-piste stuff? If I can find some fun stuff, might be able to justify that Canyon Nerve AM I'm lusting after...
daleftw - head down the fireroad with the gate behind the little covered signboard in the car park (directly opposite you if you drive in the car park entrance). there's a bomb hole on the right, head up the side of it (or practice drops there!) and bear left on the track at the top. on the right a track starts which takes you all the way to the bottom of the woods where there a lot more jumpy/dh stuff. there's basically a ridge with trails on both sides right at the bottom. also nice rooty singletrack up near the golf course - have an explore you cant get that lost there really! enjoy 🙂
http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_Venue.aspx?VenueNumber=69 - has a couple of my favourite loops on it. Or just ride around and head down any singletrack you see, they usually pop out somewhere and you can't really get lost.
Definitely going to head up there again soon then. Cheers lads.
Does anyone have any tips to finding the off-piste stuff? If I can find some fun stuff, might be able to justify that Canyon Nerve AM I'm lusting after...
http://www.nemountainbikeroutes.co.uk/mtb/Chopwell_Roller_Coaster.html
or google
That's a really nice video - look forward to seeing your Hamsterley one.