Hi considering a move to Southampton, just wondering what the riding is like in the area.
I would be moving from Plymouth so giving up dartmoor, gawton, tavi woodlands and some great local woods. I ride XC, AM, DH the lot.
I guess I may be selling teh downhill bike.......
You got the south downs pretty close to there right? Good for a lash around.
Really? Why would you do that?
I don't think I'd move there for riding. I quite like the city; I was there for uni and my parents moved there after I left. If you're happy with XC/trail riding I think you could occupy yourself with the downs and the forest but for DH you're driving further afield I'd guess.
Ok, local to Southampton you have lordswood, moving 10 mins drive time out you have New forest( scenic) Winchester ( Farley mount, bridleways and start of south downs), moving another 20 mins out gets you moors valley and watchmoor bike park, queen Elizabeth country park and the isle of wight, and then outside that you've got Uk Bikepark (downhill), rogate (dh) swinley and the north downs.
Basically there is stuff there, you just gotta search it out
for downhill Aston Hill wouldn't be too far away.well maybe 100 miles.
Aston Hill membership covers Rogate too.
Assuming you're not moving [b]because[/b] of the great riding we have, I think you'll be OK
- there is some "DH" east of soton, if rogate's still going (and at blandford, which is west)
Local woods are Lordswoods this XC and Mini DH in there Need to hook up with some Locals to find the best bits.
Just up the roads ish
DH- Rogate DH 30mins from Southampton, Gravity Project 30mins, Stoughton DH 40 mins, UK Bike Park 1hour.
Local Grass roots DH series Held at Rogate and Gravity Project:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/77137/Gravity-Project-Honey-Series-Round-1
XC-New forest 15mins & South downs national park 15mins to 2hours
AM/XC- QECP 25mins, Kingley Vale 35 mins & Swinley Forest 1 hours.
New trail is under construction at QECP:
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/244187/
Thanks guys that. Is helpful. Its definitely not a bike/terrain inspired decision...
I had forgotten about some of those areas. I guess I will get used to it. I have a new 160mm bike on order as well!
Might also need some advice about where is good to live.
Might also need some advice about where is good to live.
Portsmouth 😆
In terms of riding the folks above have summed up neatly.
Lordswood
Moors Valley
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Rogate
South Downs
North Downs
Round Salisbury
160mm bike will be fun for some and serious overbike for other. South Downs is most interesting on steep angled XC bike if you ask me. QE is developing really nicely. There are some other hidden gems especially good for night / midweek riding around the county too.
Got good access to W/E Sussex and Wiltshire too by rail or car.
Might also need some advice about where is good to live.
Give me a shout! Born and bred me!
There is plenty of riding, and a rigid ss is mainly what is needed! If your popping up for a look round, give me a shout and bring a bike!
Oh and Wales is only a couple of hours or so away (Afan day trip etc!)
All summed up well above. Personally I think its pretty decent for xc riding.
I lived in Plymouth for a fair few years. Never experienced Gawton but rode chip shop, Cann, Dartmoor and minehead. Came here and rode Rogate for a few months And realised DH just wasn't the same. Sold the DH bikes keeping only xc bike. The worst thing for me was not knowing my way about and where to ride etc. joined up with a local shop and riding got more interesting. It's only recently that I've started properly exploring and not caring if I get lost. I now really enjoy it here. It doesn't have the hills that Plymouth has but it has trails that are just as good I reckon.
Southampton is fine. As with any area there are dodgy places and good places. I live in Leigh Park which was the largest council estate in the uk. Although it has a bad rep I have some awesome neighbours which is what counts for me
I ride XC at queen Elizabeth country park. I get the train to Petersfield and ride from there. It is getting a lot of work put into it at the moment and they hope to have a full track to hold events at by may I think.
Here is their facebook page
Rogate dh isn't much further either
Portsmouth
+1 🙂
Get on a train to Brockenhurst, Beaulieu Road or Ashurst. (only 20mins or so)
You have the whole of the New Forest at your disposal!
And realised DH just wasn't the same. Sold the DH bikes keeping only xc bike.
Maybe 2 years ago but DH grass roots DH is really kicking of in the area at the mo. 6 DH races this year and ever more races and venues next year by the look of it.
Lots of pros for QE, Hope your all coming to the trail launch on the 19th May. 🙂
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/main.asp?sitepages=events-2012-qe-cyclefest
Give me a shout! Born and bred me!
Mate i so grieve for you 😉
Once you're down there get in touch with WCA on here he'll show you around lordswood. It's an ok place to ride. Not great but ok for mincing and XC riding. There is obviously very little that is technically challenging, but to go through some of the stuff that as been build it's quite a leap of faith.
Portsmouth, hahahahahahaha!
Personally I wouldn't (and don't) live in either. Lots of much better places that allow you a faster escape into decent riding territory but will need to be traded off against crap access into either city (commuting).
All the major riding destinations have been listed but there's LOADS of off piste stuff and all rideable from your doorstep in Soton. As soon as you get north of the M27 it's all good, although as has been said, you probably want an XC or short travel full sus.
Maybe 2 years ago but DH grass roots DH is really kicking of in the area at the mo. 6 DH races this year and ever more races and venues next year by the look of it.
It's better now, still not much in terms of long lengths of dh trails this way but the likes of KV etc do make me want a short travel do it all bike!
Portsmouth, hahahahahahaha!
Portsmouth is a pain. Working there is bad enough. Unless you have a place with parking and are happy to wait ages to get on and off the island then there are much better places to be had
just be aware that it is illegal to ride off marked cycle paths in the new forest... the ctc are making a legal challenge against the ban on riding on bridleways (which is legal everywhere but the new forest), but even if they are successful, this will only cover marked bridleways.
obviously, most people ride wherever they want, but you do so on the understanding that if you get chased by a new forest verderer, they are not after your autograph!
seems to be getting better in terms of non bike stuff to do as well, cafes bars and restaurants seem to be improving in the last few years (either that or i've lowered my standards!)
XC is great - we have lots of bridleways - more than lots of other counties. Isle of wight is good for a day out too - cheap by bike, mental ££ by car.
there is more local downhill too but it's locals only 😉
seems to be getting better in terms of non bike stuff to do as well, cafes bars and restaurants seem to be improving in the last few years (either that or i've lowered my standards!)
Hummm breakfast at ceno... Sunday eve at the hobbit 😀
Indian on portswood road. nom nom nom
Excuse the obvious statement but the further North and out of the City you go the more options riding wise you have. To the above list you can add the Purbecks. Within an hours drive you have lots of great riding plus all that much closer.
Plus you have the Isle of Wight an hour away by ferry. Lots of decent coastal/downland/woodsy XC riding here.
well it sounds OK ish. It is quite exciting having a whole new area to explore,Ironically my best mate who emigrated used to live near southampton and I have ridden QE park and the lookout. I remember enjoying them but it did seem a lot flatter.
having followed a few video links I can see my 456 getting a lot more use around the local trails! I can't bear to cancel my 160mm bike order, I sure I can put it to good use in a few of those places.
I must admit I don't fancy commuting from portsmouth everyday to work!
I'm just coming to the end of a week in brockenhurst visiting my sister and nieces; I brought the mountain bike, but have only really had slots of a couple of hours to ride out from the doorstep for solo runs, and i'm wishing I had come down with one of the road bikes. It's just so flat and from what i have found so dull. I'm sure with some local knowledge there would be some descent riding, and from what others above have said with a car I could have accessed some good stuff, but I can't wait to get back to some hills. I feel like l've had a weekk off. No doubt it's a very lovely place to live, and we have done some smashing family rides to, and I have to say the quality of some of the village pubs we have stopped at has been exceptional.
