Mountain Biking Bedgebury Forest, Kent - bike hire available
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Bedgebury's dedicated Singletrack MTB trail follows 14km of exhilarating riding around the 2000 acre Bedgebury Forest, and is designed for mountain bikers who enjoy all the challenges that the sport offers, including challenging climbs, tricky decents, berms, drop-offs and large rocks. You can also detour round many obstacles if you like :)
BIKE HIRE IS AVAILABLE AT BEDGEBURY
Joining point 1 - meet on the train. Depart London on 8.15 am from Charing X, 8.17am from Waterloo East, 8.22am from London Bridge or intermediate stations en route to Stonegate (arrive 09.26). No bike reservations required. Usually only a couple of spaces per train so if they are full, bike will have to be in the vestibule.
Joining point 2 - meet at Stonegate station 09.30. We will then cycle on road 10km through hilly lovely countryside to the forest. 9km is quiet and lovely. The last 1km is on a busy A road and unavoidable. There is a very hazardous junction leaving the A road and you will be advised to get off and cross on foot.
Joining point 3 - meet at Bedgebury Forest Pinetum car park 10.30. Please note if you drive there is a £10-12 charge for your car. You can hire bikes and there is a bike shop selling a small range of items.
We will have c.3-4 hours in the forest which is enough time for at least one lap, possibly two, or else a wander in the woods or just relaxing in the beauty of the forest.
We will cycle back to a different station - Wadhurst, slightly longer at 14km, but one stop closer to London with pub options and more frequent trains, every half hour or so.
To find out more about our mountain and road biking community, and for regular event updates go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorLadsCycling/
What to bring
You will need a mountain bike, ideally with at least front fork suspension. Road bikes and hybrids are unsuitable. You can hire mountain bikes in the forest. https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8yfema
In addition, please remember the following:.
- Spare inner tube and tyre levers. Also any special tools that your bike needs.
- Food - bring lunch and small snacks such as chocolate bars and energy foods.
- 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.
- Cyclist's Helmet - Outdoorlads policy asks you to wear a helmet events.
- Bag you will need a small day-sack to carry essential clothing, water and an emergency snack.
Food & drink
Please bring your own packed lunch. There is a cafe available at Bedgebury but it can close with little notice and can get very busy. Bring plenty of water and snacks. We will go to a pub en route back to the station at Wadhurst in the afternoon.