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So my wife tells me she wants us to move there. My first reaction is to check the OS map for bridle ways. There seems to be plenty. Singletrack posts a few routes that look interesting but less technical.
I am going over for a look-see this weekend and wondered if anyone could advise where I could find steep / rocky / gnarr type riding over there?
Any input greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Rich
More than a few IOW locals on here to assist you.
I see you live in the SH (as do I), you know of course the riding will be nothing like as good. IMO you'd go to live on the IOW for the relative remoteness of it, being cut off from the mainland. I'd suggest you rent a place there out of season and spend as much time there as you can - weeks on end - and see what you think ? I love my watersports (and my biking) and have spent lots of time on the IOW but for "remoteness" I'd pick somewhere in Sussex or Dorset in the South over the IOW as the ferry only connection would get me down, too much hassle and expense (Islanders get no discount).
Its a great place to ride. Full of bridleways, cheeky stuff and secret trails in the woods.
Islanders DO get a discount on ferries (still expensive though)
Good luck with finding a job there, thats the tricky bit.
There's a regular Saturday ride at 1pm. This weeks meet is the Hare & Hounds at Arreton. Shame you weren't over last Sat as we did the Brighstone Forest hidden trails.
Bike shops Wight Mountain and The Bike Shed do rides as well.
lots of ridign over here, not massively gnar unfortunately, although there are some good decents if you know where to look.
LOTS of bridleways and "other" cheeky rights of way. There's some fun woody stuff in brighstone too. Even in the middle of summer you wont see many people out on the "other" trails (walkers or bikers), so you don't tend to get much grief from walkers etc.
If you like longer rides there are plenty of options that you can link together coupled with fantastic coastal views.
The only thing that can be a PITA is the ferry, everything else is pretty good over here. summer is ace with lots of outdoorsy things to do, Dec-March can be pretty dead though.
If you're looking for a job in telecoms over here let me know, as we're hiring.
Thanks for the input. It is for the remoteness that my wife fancies the move, plus the sense of relaxation and slower pace of life. Cheap housing another boon. We can both work from home so finding a job wouldn't be an issue and it is reassuring there is plenty of riding - sad to say but this is the most important factor for me. I guess it is like anywhere else, it takes a while to learn where the best riding is hidden away. After riding in the Surrey Hills I still find absolute gems on a regular occasions.
We visit often as the in-laws have a holiday home there. Lots of nice XC trails with some great views which are really well marked up but quite limited in terms of DH.
chalk so no gnarr...