Where to Ride
VC Revolution Rides
Thetford Forest
Sandlings Forest
Alton Water
Aston Hill
Foxhall Stadium
Danbury Common
North Downs/Leith Hill
Epping Forest
Bedgebury Forest
Cannock Chase
Ipswich Road Route
Ipswich Off-Road Route
Colchester Road Route
Thetford Forest - Website
Location: High Lodge forest centre is off the Bl107 east of Brandon near Thetford.
Comment: "Thetford" is unquestionably the best off road facility in the east of England - There is an endless maze of well-maintained trails and challenging single track. For all abilities, families and hard-core trail seekers alike. The worthy location of many a cross country race including a round of the British Nationals. The visitor's centre contains a great cafe with both indoor and outdoor dining! A bike hire centre opens during the warmer months.
Sandlings Forest - Website
Location: East of Woodbridge on the Suffolk coast.
Comment: Split into two separate areas, the Sandlings offer two contrasting riding experiences. Rendlesham forest offers gentle trails and mostly fire roads ideally suited to families and those just looking for a casual ride. Further north is the beastly Tunstall forest. Here you will find some of the most challenging single track we have ever ridden using an established motorcross enduro course approx 10 miles long. Hard going though. The infamous "fire road 28" has hard-core trails with jumps and a dual slalom course. Only for the experienced rider.
Alton Water - Website
Location: Signposted off the A137 near Brantham between Ipswich and Colchester
Comment: One of our favourite "loops" owned and operated by the kind fellows at Anglian Water. Pay only a small fee to park at the visitors centre right next to the start of the trail. Riding clockwise the first section is an easy going rolling gravel trail, nice as a warm up! until you reach the tarmac bridge. Ride over and take a right to continue the 8 1/2 mile loop which follows on to a more technical off road trail.<br>This has it all; short sharp climbs and technical descents, bermed corners, mud, gravel and a good cafe at the end. Suitable for the spirited family as well as the experience rider. Only the very good can ride the loop in under 30 minutes.
Aston Hill - Website
Location: Off the A41 at "Tring" northwest of the M25 junction 20
Comment: Definitely worth the drive if you're in for an extreme day out in the saddle. No where else locally has two downhill courses, a monster 4X course and a xc loop. This is all located in a nice self contained and well managed forestry sanctioned area. Many a national and regional races are held here so be sure to check before you go. The courses are well established - lots of exposed roots and rocks. Take a spare tube! One of the downhill courses known as the "black run" is amazing and will have the inexperienced rider and their bike for breakfast. A good test of ones ability and a must for any serious rider. You pay a small fee to ride per day to Ian the organiser who deserves an award for his efforts.
Foxhall Stadium - Website not available
Location: Two miles along Foxhall Rd from the A12 north at the speedway stadium.
Comments: In the grounds of the stadium and a former national cyclo cross course. A collection of interesting singletrack trails that will appeal to all abilities looking for a short ride. A fantastic location for a night ride. Our Ipswich store is easily within riding distance.
Danbury Common - Website
Location: East of Chelmsford sign posted off the first roundabout on the A414
Comments: A former popular jump spot since bulldozed. Rideable as a hilly xc ride for all abilities. Good parking and a large grassy space makes it good for families. A great place for a night ride and the surface does not get too muddy. A fast rolling descent by the road is by far the highlight.
North Downs/Leith Hill - Website not available
Location: South of Dorking, Surrey. Signposted off the A29.
Comments: Leith Hill and its surrounding areas is a mecca for all southern mountain bikers and very popular. A well maintained network of singletrack trails loops up and down a collection hills and valleys up to 200 metres above sea level. The climbs can be lung busting and the downhills are not only technical, they can be steep too. Good brakes are essential!! You'll be motivated to go back time and time again simply to discover new trails and your never too far from other riders willing to show you the way. Welcoming village pubs can be found to keep those energy levels up. Better for experienced cyclists though novices will find the big learning curve worth the effort.
Epping Forest, Essex - Website
Location: Junction 26 off the M25 and follow the brown signs to the Forrestry Centre
Comment: Although one may expect Epping to be like Thetford it is in actual fact very different. A natural forest of silver birches and Elm the trails meander around trees and streams. A few public road crossings are ness so keep hold of your youngsters. The singletrack is well riden and fares well in the winter. We would recommend wearing glasses; you'll loose count of the number of times you'll be slapped in the face with a branch when following in close quarters. You can keep yourself fueled at the two tea stalls at the car park. Overall Epping is a very enjoyable ride for keen cyclists and families alike.
Bedgebury Forest, Kent/East Sussex - Website
Location: Junction 5 off the M25 then join the A21 southbound towards Hastings. Bedgebury is signposted off the A21
Comment: This location is based near Tunbridge Well’s and is very easy to get to. The best way to descibe the terrain is very much like Thetford with hills! This makes the main trails more demanding so therefore won’t be quite as family friendly, although there is a great visitor centre and a Go Ape to keep the little ones amused whilst you blast round. It does get muddy in the winter, so you can always move away from the trail loop and play around in the freeride area that’s been built so that the average mud plugger can even have a go!
Cannock Chase, Staffordshire - Website
Location: M6 to Cannock, see website.
Comment: Based just above Birmingham, this is another great Forestry Commission run trail centre, and by far the most enjoyable to ride. The main trails are well built and maintained, and are rideable all year round thanks to the trail bedrock that’s been layed down. The final part of the loop has demanding short climbs and really gets quite fast in places. If you’re lucky enough to hook up with a local they’ll show you the rest of the forest, which is vast and apparently full of surprises! Well worth spending a weekend there.