Kielder Forest MTB Trail Centre (Red Trails Day)
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Join us for a day Mountain Biking around Kielder Forest and Water. This day coincides with an adjacent event on the 8th. Feel free to join us for either or better still, both days and make a weekend of it.
Saturday 8th will be aimed at beginners to intermediates, riding the blue trail routes.
Sunday 9th is aimed more at intermediates, riding the red trails.
Kielder is rugged mountain bike heaven. Come and experience some of the best single tracks in the UK with breathtaking views. Home to Northern Europe's largest man-made lake and England's largest forest.
Meeting at 9.30am to coincide with the bike shop opening for those needing to hire a bike. Bikes are £25 per day to hire. You can take the bike for 2 days if you are doing both events (£50). The bike shop details, including contact details, hire prices and online booking can be found here http://www.thebikeplace.co.uk.
This is a red grade day, aimed at intermediate riders or those comfortable on the blue trails. Its 33km in total and combines 2 of Kielders best trails, Lonesome Pine and The Bloody Bush. An impressive 33km of red grade trail riding. This trail links Kielder Water to the Scottish Border, which we follow for a while. The trail takes its name from a location on the border marked by a stone pillar which commemorates a pitched battle between English cattle raiders and their Scottish pursuers in medieval times. Aimed at intermediate level off-roaders, it speeds through trees and moorland in the middle of nowhere.
Kielder is only a handful of houses, but it does have a small pub, a campsite and a cafe at the castle for when we get back. There is no/little mobile coverage apart from when on the very top of the hills. There are no cash machines so bring cash. Food is available at the small shop, cafe and pub but you will need to bring lunch and snacks that you want during the day.
Check out http://www.visitkielder.com/play/adventure/mountain-biking for more information on the area.
Car parking is charged at £5 per day. However, if you want to make a weekend of it and do both events, why not take advantage of the campsite, very close to the pub and park for free! http://www.kieldercampsite.co.uk
Remember to book on both day events if you coming for the weekend!
What to bring
Apart from your bike remember the following:
- Puncture repair kit (or better still a spare inner tube) and tyre levers. Also any special tools that your bike needs.
- Food - bring small snacks such as chocolate bars and energy foods.
- A cycling bottle attached to your bike and plenty of water (minimum 2lts)
- Eye protection - impact from a bee, grit or even a fly at speed is extremely unpleasant, sunglasses may do if not made of glass and not too shaded.
- Clothing: choose suitable clothes and footwear for the weather forecast and time of year. You will be exercising so lightweight layered clothing is best. Shorts are best even in rain, as they allow free movement of your legs. Jeans are useless if it rains but tracksuit bottoms need to be not too baggy or they may snag in the chain and cause an accident. You'll need trainers or similar with grippy soles for standard pedals.
- Helmet - Outdoorlads policy asks you to wear a helmet events.
- Bag you will need a small day-sack to carry essential clothing, lunch, snacks and drinks.
Food & drink
Bring plenty of food and drink to last you the day. After the ride, food is available in the cafe, pub and small shop.