Forth - The Great British Mountain Bike Trail Guide

Purpose built trails have been growing in popularity for nearly two decades, they have opened up the doors allowing more and more people to get onto two wheels and explore the stunning British countryside. This book is a guide to some of the classic and lesser-known trails that grace the Great British landscape, from the southern tip of England to the far flung corners of the Scottish Highlands via Wales and the Republic of Ireland, a mission that led to an epic journey and a wonderful insight into our island nation.

I recall a time when my friends and I used to banter on about the possibility of riding all the purpose-built trails in the UK in a day (and yes, it was possible). Now there are so many trails scattered across the British landscape its impossible to ride them all in a month!

Those conversations were the driving force behind the creation of this book. I wanted to set myself an endurance-based challenge that people could relate to. As Im not a marathon runner, it had to be centred around mountain biking. But what better way to see the great British landscape and celebrate 25 years of riding and racing bikes than a road trip?

With a busy schedule and a plethora of trails to choose from, I set my own target of riding 50 trails at various centres covering the far corners of the British Isles and Republic of Ireland in a month-long road trip. With friend and photographer Frazer Waller along for the ride, we set out on what became an epic and truly awesome road trip.

We hit the big names and rode a few hidden gems along the way. Unfortunately a couple of trails were closed for maintenance and we had to miss one or two of the well-known centres for logistical reasons. During the month-long road trip I rode just under 700km and the trusty VW covered nearly 7,000km. In total we spent 27 days on the road, 24 of which were riding days.

Planning and preparation is all part of the sport. To endure changing weather and trail conditions our journey involved many hours fettling bikes and watching weather reports. Whatever and wherever youre planning to ride, take care to ensure both you and your equipment are up to the task.

Before you head out onto the trail it is important to make sure you have the correct equipment, it is well maintained and in good working order. Checking your equipment should be done in advance, preferably the day or night before. When planning a ride you should also take into account the following.

Weather in mountainous regions (in fact pretty much anywhere youre likely to ride) can change very quickly, so always be prepared. Carry spares for your bike and extra clothing, including a wind and waterproof jacket. You may be riding at a bike park or purpose-built trail that is relatively close to communication, but do not be complacent: a rider who has crashed could go into a state of shock and your extra clothing layers could be the deciding factor in keeping them warm while waiting for help.

Most weather reports on television and radio are very basic and do not contain specific information to the region you will be riding. There are a multitude of websites for weather reports and regional phone numbers where you can get the most accurate up to date forecasts: just remember that even the professionals get it wrong from time to time.

Hard-pack trails ride much faster than wet sodden ones. A wet trail will sap more energy; you will also have to lower your speeds when riding technical sections and your average speed will drop accordingly. The terrain, weather and distance of your ride will dictate what you should be carrying alongside your basic equipment. When riding in adverse conditions allow extra time to complete your ride.