Mountain Biking and Cycling in the North Yorkshire Moors
North Yorkshire is a great location to participate in the sport of Mountain Biking, with Pickering being an excellent base, having good access to many of the varies trails and tracks around the North York moors, the Howardian Hills and the Yorkshire Wolds.
The Yorkshire Wolds, the northern-most part of the chalk downlands which stretch along the eastern coast of England and Howardian Hills a series of wooded ridges with wide valleys are found to the south of the North York moors and are generally give a landscape made of gentle hills. The moors are more rugged in nature with a landscape of open moorland interspersed with lush wooded valleys .Though not as high as some upland districts, they still need the same planning when venturing into them, such as checking the weather forecast, taking appropriate clothing and equipment and leaving a note of your route with someone.
There are many trails and route in the surrounding countryside, and the tourist boards can help with trails also information is available from www.mtb-routes.co.uk. However close by a specialist mountain biking location is being developed in Dalby forest, which is very close to Pickering
Dalby Forest Location: The Forest is situated North/East of York, traveling East past Pickering on the A170 is the small village of Thornton-le-Dale, at the village square take the road going North, simply follow the signs to the Forest. And remember all Hungate Cottages guest get free access to Dalby Forest
The development is aimed to produce a mountain biking centre of excellence and will include over 50km of new all weather cycle trails a courtyard cafe and a mountain bike hire centre.
It is hoped that Dalby will become one of the the most attractive mountain biking venue in England. The new purpose built trails, all constructed to sustainable IMBA standards,will include XC single track, a skills area and a down hill area
Within the forest The Forestry Commission has started developing a three-acre site at Dixon's Hollow. Project partners also include Adrian Carter, from Pace Cycles at Kirkbymoorside and volunteer group, SingletrAction, specialists in trail design, advocacy and building techniques. Complete with hair-raising jumps, corkscrews and ramps, it represents the first stage in a £400,000 bid to make the 3,440-hectare (8,600-acre) North Yorkshire woodland one of Britain's top mountain biking venues.
The skills park is located on a new 55 kilometre trail network, the most extensive in England. Dixon's Hollow is a disused quarry and over 350 tonnes of stone has been sculpted into the ultimate challenge for riders, complete with massive table-top jumps and a 175 metre timber, or north-shore, section. There's enough to stretch the ability of the strongest free-rider, but also scope for the less experienced to improve their technique. Our goal has been to create something which is fun, sustainable and offers a real challenge to riders of varying abilities.
Equipment
Generally on easy rides in the area, all you would need is a bike ( which you will be able to hire in the area), clothes that are comfortable and suitable for the weather a cycle helmet, pump and puncture repair kit.
If you plan to ride in places like Dalby forest, it is a good idea to have a mountain bike. On the easier trails a bike with no suspension would suffice, but front suspension would make the ride more comfortable and the bike easier to control on any rough terrain you might come across. It is possible to hire bikes with full suspension which will give a very comfortable ride as both the front and back of the bike has suspension which will absorb the rough bumps of the trail and place less stress on your back shoulders wrists and hands.
Also don't forget to take sufficient to drink and eat.
.Click here to link into www.mtb-routes.co.uk
