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Off to the new forest for a bit of camping and biking any ideas of places to camp and where to ride around there and if you could point me to a gpx file even better. I'm a northern monkey so I'm a bit lost out outside the peak district 🙂
I thought the NF was a bit limited on routes, but have a look [url= http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/activities/cycle-map.aspx ]here[/url] and check out the map of "approved" [url= http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/NF/cms/pdf/new-forest-cycle-map-2013.pdf ]routes[/url].
Yeah, very sad but the forest isn't great for mtb. You have to stick to certain tracks/bridleways (see old threads on this). There's quite a strict dilineation of path use, and it's too busy/well patrolled to stray from this. It's a lovely place that should be great for mtbing, but it's not. Fine for leisure rides off road on tracks, no singletrack that I found anyway. Truly great for road riding, but there's a little bit of local angst with cyclists at the moment in the New Forest, not that you need to pay attention to that though.
You need to know where to look.... All cheeky stuff and plenty of threads here - Strava has plenty of info
try [url= https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=50&q=site%3Asingletrackworld.com+new+forest&oq=site%3Asingletrackworld.com+new+forest&gs_l=serp.3...1823.3461.0.3850.10.10.0.0.0.0.78.594.10.10.0....0...1c.1.51.serp..10.0.0.b6RYM8CExbU ]here[/url] for NF guff
(sorry, just leaving for work)
It's not as bad as faustus says - sensible cheekiness is moderately common and the place is pretty empty other than within 500yd of the carparks. It is quite nice for road riding though (see strava for routes, or the wiggle sportive maps)
I haven't been out for a while but I'm guessing it's fairly dry generally (there are some swamps though, which is why local knowledge helps a bit - or look for ramblers routes)
When are you coming ?
Heading down there today when the misses gets her ass into gear lol think I might just go and ride Purbeck seems like it might be best, if they don't want my dirty MTB money in there forest so be it but thanks for the heads up 🙂
The Purbecks are great...
Ive never had any issues riding cheeky in the NF - tho as said 500m of the carparks are horrible places to be,
Fairly dry inthe NF ATM, was there on Sunday and it's pretty good all round TBH.
Lots of Bridleways and Gravel trails to hack on if you are so inclined, bit dull but if you come across a Verder or angry Resident they're a great way of escaping..
It's not all bad, promise! nope it's not Wales, Scotland, the peaks etc etc so don't bring a big hitter full sus'
If the Purbecks are no extra bother then I'd be tempted to ride there tbh too
Don't visit there enough myself considering how close it is
last time I camped in the NF I went to Southampton bike park for an afternoon. Highly recommended 🙂
For camping check out:
[url= http://www.redshoot-campingpark.com/ ]Red Shoot[/url] with own pub.
[url= http://www.sandyballs.co.uk/ ]Sandyballs[/url] more holiday park with pools, entertainment etc (but still good and great location).
or the [url= http://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/england/new-forest?gclid=CPSA2L7Un8ACFYgIwwodDUEA3g ]Forest Camping sites[/url] which have fewer facilities but are 'proper' forest sites in the trees.
Riding - just pick a path and follow it as long as it looks well established. Be courteous to walkers and horse riders, and feign ignorance or respond 'yes, silly isnt it' if challenged (which is very rare). Worked for me for over 30 years! And no-one's ever been prosecuted for cycling on the forest.