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I'm thinking of taking the family to FoD tomorrow for the first time - based on what I've read, it sounds like the family trail starting at the visitor centre will be easy enough but wondered if there might be something more to do
Nemjnr 1 is 11 and a confident rider but hasn't done a huge amount of 'proper' mtbing - would like to encourage him to learn
Nemjnr 2 is 7, can ride on her own but prefers being on the Trailgator and for the distance would likely do most of it attached to me
Does the visitor centre do food or is there maybe a way to have the centre half way along the ride? Will be driving so will need to park up wherever we start.
Thanks all
Visitor Centre does food but can be very busy. There is a new cafe at Mallards Lake which is on the family trail. There is parking at both.
For food, I'd recommend finding Beechenhurst Lodge, which is about 5 minutes from the pedalabikeaway centre, with much lovelier food. Full of families and walkers, rather than bikers, and there's a decent play area for the kids...
The green family trail will be dull (and surprisingly long) for you but there are little diverts for the learners, muddy banks, a few bumps etc. My 4 and 7 years olds on diddy bikes love it.
My seven year old rides the blue verderers trail. You might find your self getting off and pushing with a trailer attachment in some places.
Park at Cannop Ponds, on family trail, 1 mile from cycle centre and across road from Beachenhurst. Free parking.
Wife takes 7 year old on family trail whilst you take 11 year old on verderers.
Can always turn back on family trail if distance becoming too much.
I wouldn't take a trailer on very inexperienced 7 year old on some of the verderers. Not worth putting them off it for good.
Or just enjoy the family trail for what it is? Have been round a couple of times with little uns and it's still cycling lol.
Park at Cannop Ponds, on family trail, 1 mile from cycle centre and across road from Beachenhurst. Free parking.
Not been free for awhile, 4 beer tokens for the day.
Beechenhurst is definitely the best place for food .
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm not expecting the family trail to be too thrilling in itself but I think we can dip in and out of other trails from it so will probably aim for that.
Think we'll probably aim for food at Beechenhurst - maybe part way round the trail if that works from a parking perspective
Having another look at the map, if we Park at Mallards Pike lake and then go from there, we could stop at Beechenhurst for food around half way round. Does that sound practical?
The family trail lacks death defying gnar, but it's not boring by any stretch. It's absolutely beautiful and such a nice place to be.
The main centre gets very busy. Parking is about 7.50 now I think, but nevertheless, it's a good place to base yourself from with a family with a buzz going on around, bike shop, cafe, bike hire etc.
There is also a fun little skills area and pump track which is great for kids.
Beechenhurst is a short cycle over the bridge, has a kids Go Ape thing and a little skills area on the way just after the bridge.
Enjoy 👍
Edit.
Having another look at the map, if we Park at Mallards Pike lake and then go from there, we could stop at Beechenhurst for food around half way round. Does that sound practical?
Definitely. It's a good place to start and much more chilled than Cannop, if you don't need bike hire etc.
Thanks
Heads up OP.
Parking isn’t free at Pedal-a-bike-away, Cannop Ponds, or
Beechenhurst.
Pedal-a-bike-away and Beechenhurst are 5 minutes ride apart, no real difference in location for any of the trails. The “trail centre” trails are all located on the Pedal-a-bike-away side of the road, the Family Trail (green) is on the other side of the road, accessed via the cycling bridge and has Beechenhurst at the foot of it. Mallards Pike is roughly half way round the Family Trail, although with a diversion.
There are other routes off the Family Trail but they are more of the same, anything more technical is over at Pedal-a-bike-away side, unless it’s some odd little cheeky trails that aren’t on the map.
Food is much the muchness, I prefer the food at Pedal-a-bike-away.
WARNING!!!! It will be rammed over the weekend with nice weather.
Thanks again. Yes I figure it'll be busy but shouldn't be a big problem on family trails
Thanks yet again everyone - Had a great time. Parked at Mallards Pike (busy!) and had lunch at Beechenhurst which is a really nice spot for it (apart from the climb to it which the kids moaned about).
The family trail is more undulating than I was expecting - nothing to cause a real issue but I can imagine that some less fit people might find the draggy climbs quite long.
Definely going to go again
Sweet as a nut 👍
I think I saw you at Parkend, green tag along and your lad on a bright orange bike ?