You never quite know what a trail centre is going to be like until you are there. It’s also not often that I have something bad to say about a mountain bike destination. With the promise of technical riding and difficult physical challenges, I was psyched to get riding. But were things as advertised?
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41 Comments
Trail centre made by the council and not the riders I think 🤣
Will u ever go to swindled forest
Completely agree with your assessment. I haven't been in a year or so but always thought of it as an easy xc loop just to get some fitness back. The topography isn't great in quite a wide radius from Sherwood pines so it's the best riding for the area, but that's not saying much.
For people who live local this is the best we have without driving for hours just to cycle on something that isn’t road or public bridleway. It’s a good way to practice skills especially if you park nearby and cycle in to avoid the ridiculous parking charge.
Tbh I didn't see how it was marketed but was looking forward to seeing a new red trail and you just constantly went along what looked like the most boring trail I've seen in a long time how was the blue trail did it have more features?
I think if I had paid to travel there and park I would be demanding a refund for both parking and fuel thatred trail needs to be remarketed
You should try out Swinley. And if you have time after that, drop by The Croft Trail in Swindon.
I went there for the 1st time about a month ago, I won't be going back.
I had read once that they keep it fairly tame because Centre Parks being near by and they have had families on the red route. Not sure how true this is, but either way, I enjoy Pines!
"The mental challenge was boredom" 👌 Classic! I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds some trails really lacking. Good vid fella 👍
My beef with this sort of thing is that if someone first got into mtb just riding just there, and there alone, and then went and threw themselves down a real red trail it would probably end badly.
I'm not a stickler for ze rules but the trail ratings system is useful if it's used properly. The guidance is pretty clear so I don't know what they were thinking slapping a red grade on something that looks like you could ride a shopping bike on.
Hardtail all the way. A full suspension actually makes it less enjoyable. I think you are spot on overall. Interesting how you describe it as natural? I think the truth on this place is definitely already out there. It isn't a red, its a bit dull, it hasn't got any really good descents…. All true! As has been said, it is clearly old school XC and is better enjoyed at full speed, where you can feel a bit of a tingle of excitement. It is also OK for judging fitness, as it is a consistent surface. To be honest you're far better off avoiding all trail centres and if you were in the area go a few miles further north west to the Peak District … But then you might get lost, not have a big car park or even have an on site cafe 😜
I have so far found this the case with a lot of mtb places located on forestry commision land, they generally grade everything one level above what it should be. The closest one to me also claims a very well surfaced fireroad that two cars could easily pass on as a blue trail as well.
Sherwood Pines is just a blue (maybe even green)single track ,quite featureless and the parking charges are hideous when you compare to better places like Gisburn etc
Totally agree with everything you said.
I’ve been going there since like 1998.
They use to have a North Shore section where the “Downhill” track it. Was much better.
Like I mentioned in a previous reply, I was 20 mins into the Red section and I just stopped and went home. OH then boredom.
Don't fancy showing a few of us around some of the off Piste at haldon do you. We know a few bits but would be Good too see some that we aren't sure of
In the eyes of Forestry Commission, black is the new red, red is the new blue, blue is the new green and green is for Barbie bikes
This is my local and me and my riding buddies couldn't agree more with what you are saying, in fact we have always said the exact same.
We mostly use this as part of weekday night rides for just getting out. If we want something fun we usually go towards wales or up north to somewhere like hamsterley.
Its a shame cause there is potential there, just whoever is in charge of the trail building (and the volunteers) seem to just have no clue.
My local but dint realy ride it as i think it isn't all that like this guys review 100 agree
I ride Sherwood pines quite a bit and I’ve got to agree it is a bit featureless, however ride it fast and hard to get the best out of it and it livens it up
I agree the red is easy .
But to say it's a easy blue.
Can't say you'd be right .
I feel like you must have missed a bit. It's no mountain but it's not that flat 😂
If you ever go back to pines it’s worth getting to know someone who can take you off piste it’s a lot better than the red
For seniors, electric bikes with fat knobby tires would be perfect for this trail.
250 watts maximum!
It’s not new. It’s been there for years 🤷♂️. Also it’s pretty obvious it’s going to be flat. It’s Nottinghamshire. Didn’t you notice that on the drive there ?😂😂😂
Visited this place today and I have to totally agree it was boring on the red and bare in mind I haven’t been on a bike in over 15 years and have had no practice. I bought a bike and jumped into the red. Started off ok in the first section and then the double rock drop and that was it after that I was struggling to enjoy anything else.
I did red on a hard tail today, very easy. Wasn’t sure where to do it as it was bagged up on the trail overview but it was nothing really
I’m a local person who has used the Red Route for 10 years. I was curious to see a review from someone who has travelled to see it. Completely agree. In the area this is the best trail by far. However, the parking is excessive and the trail is too flat. Pines have the ability to make the route have some really interesting sections but just as they fix one thing they ruin it by adding in rocks that slow you down or a jump that just does not work. And the end section… the end section… it is awful there is no way to get a flow and leaves you thinking woah what an ending! Tornado Alley has always been the best section though. You see people on full suspensions all day here but you’re completely right about the hardtail. I’ve used hardtail 80% of the time I’ve been here. It allows for better pumping and it’s just easier to get it in the right spot. Overall Pines have the ability to make the route really fun but just haven’t so far!
They've made a few changes recently. Nothing major, a few big berms and a couple of additional small features. It is a boring pedal-fest still for the most part. There is some off-piste if you head down the DH runs, out the bottom, straight across the blue trail and keep going in that direction (West). Much more elevation and descents to be found, but they mostly seem to be trails carved by 4x4s and moto-x bikes. Still rideable though. There is much better riding in the local area to be found. Head back towards the M1 J27 and explore a bit…
It's the Midlands we have no hills to go down lol but they have do some improvements this year and the kitchener trail is now called the outlaw trail after a local mtb group I know its not on the same level as bike park wales but it's mylocal
Ride here all the time. It's definitely a XC trail. They could do more with it though as there is quite a large area to play with. To be fair, they are working on it more and making changes but its never going to blow you away as there just isnt the elevation to make anything really fast and technical.
Been saying this for ages . Potential for a lot more .
Everyone knows pines is flat, that why you have to pedal so much.
I agree that it's featureless but ride it at full beans it's fun, it's a good xc loop.
Also if you ask the locals nice enough they might show you the off piste bits, 100 times better.
Parking charges.
Welcome to the party pal. Nottingham is expensive not sure why but we are.
Taking my lad Sherwood on Saturday
Brilliant review.! Yes Sherwood pines a massive make over lots of stuff nothing to give.! Defo not a red trail. Xc loop more yes!
I’ve rode the red and blue route, the blue is a little faster but yes your correct the problem with it is that like most of the area there aren’t any hills it’s mainly all flat so no downhills
The red at Sherwood was my first experience of singletrack. As a novice, it was a lot more fun than riding bridleways, but I soon progressed to Dalby (being about the same amount travel time in the opposite direction) and I've only returned to Sherwood only a couple of times. It's a shame that it's not more exciting, because it's about as good as it gets for most of the Midlands.
I was 9th on the red trail at one point. Just behind team Inneos rider Conor Swift. Think the trails been changed since then. I still love that route. Definitely need to get back there.
Kilometres?
i reckon you've left plenty of reviews….ffs
the parking charges are a joke.
Red route in thetford forest is more interesting than this red route. Think ill save myself the drive and keep to my local one 😅