Mountain Biking on the North Downs. Peter Edwards
Чтение книги онлайн.
Читать онлайн книгу Mountain Biking on the North Downs - Peter Edwards страница 2
Название: Mountain Biking on the North Downs
Автор: Peter Edwards
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Спорт, фитнес
isbn: 9781783620180
isbn:
Route 2 St Martha’s Hill–Abinger loop
Route 3 Hackhurst Downs–Polesden Lacey loop
Route 4 Gomshall–Westhumble loop
Route 5 Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill loop
Route 6 Surrey Hills Grand Traverse
ROUTES AROUND REIGATE AND REDHILL
Route 7 Oxted and Bletchingley loop
Route 8 Box Hill–Banstead Heath loop
Route 9 Warlingham–Biggin Hill loop
ROUTES AROUND MAIDSTONE AND THE MEDWAY VALLEY
Route 10 Oldbury Hill and Mereworth Woods
Route 12 Bearsted, Detling Hill and Blue Bell Hill
Route 13 Bilsington and Faggs Wood loop
Route 16 Chilham and King’s Wood loop
Route 17 Rough Common–Blean Wood loop
ROUTES AROUND ELHAM AND TEMPLE EWELL
Route 19 Alkham–Barham Downs loop
Appendix A: Camping and accommodation
Appendix B: Bike shops/bike hire/bike mechanics
Appendix C: Useful contacts
Hanging on in the Surrey Hills – a fast descent near Holmbury Hill (Route 6; photo: Jen Dodd)
INTRODUCTION
For the enthusiastic mountain biker the North Downs is nirvana in the Home Counties! Some of the finest off-road trails to be found anywhere in the country are available in abundance amid the green, rolling chalk and sandstone hills and along the steep, wooded escarpments that comprise some of England’s loveliest countryside. The North Downs are criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of well-maintained byways and bridleways that are accessible to mountain bikers and which can be mixed and matched into almost infinitely variable route combinations. The adventurous mountain biker will not be short of options in this corner of the country.
Mountain bikers are attracted to the area in their droves from the southeast of England and beyond. Partly this is because of its proximity to London, but mostly it is due to the riding terrain. From chalk and flint bridleways to loose sand tracks and sinuous forest singletrack; rough, tough climbs to seemingly endless rattling descents; the dry and dusty to the wet and muddy, the North Downs are packed with variety.
Lift off! Big air on the Surrey Hills (Routes 5 and 6)
The narrow spine of the Hog’s Back between Farnham and Guildford forms the western extremity of the North Downs, which encompasses the ancient chalk downlands, heathlands, pasture and woodlands of Surrey and Kent, while the iconic cliffs of the English Channel coast between Folkestone and Deal terminate the ridge in the east. The south-facing escarpment of the North Downs is generally very steep while a dip slope descends more gradually to the north. The greatest concentration of quality mountain biking trails is at the western end of the Downs among the Surrey Hills – a true mountain biker’s paradise because of the sheer number and variety of excellent trails, both natural and man-made. The many fine byways, bridleways and country lanes of southeast Kent are less well-known as a mountain biking destination, but are in fact something of a hidden gem – partly because so many riders are drawn to the glamorous trails of the Surrey Hills and the South Downs.
As well as the extensive network of well-maintained byways and bridleways criss-crossing the North Downs, there are also many purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Surrey Hills area in particular. Many of the tracks and trails traverse chalk and sandstone downland, which is generally well-drained and provides superlative mountain biking conditions for much of the year. However, the North Downs is also a diverse landscape comprising a variety of terrain, including woodland, pasture and heathland. These ancient downlands comprise two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) – the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs – some of Britain’s most iconic and best-loved landscapes.
СКАЧАТЬ