20 | Cycling World
Mountain
biking
A beginner’s guide
F
irst things first don’t let the reference to
mountains ut you off, because mountain bikes
are used on all sorts of rides. Whether forest trails
or smooth paths that take you far away from noisy
tra c, ritain is one of the best countries for accessible
off-road cycling in the world, so it’s no wonder families
and novice riders are taking advantage of it.
Where to go mountain biking?
t is easy to find tra c-free laces to ride near you look
no further than our beautiful countryside! There are loads
of free resources to hel you find the right location, with
varied terrain including easy rides along canal towpaths
through to something a little more challenging that will
hel you find your flow
.
The National Trust has been busy building new family-
friendly, off-road trails and offering cycle hire on their
sites, and our large National Parks are also becoming
more welcoming to cyclists. Take a look at both of
their websites to find great laces to en oy a day out on
your bike.
Trail centres are located throughout the country and
provide an environment to cycle in fresh air and at your
own pace. They also tend to provide bike hire and café-
style refreshment, so that all you need to remember to
bring is yourself, and a few other things mentioned later
in this article.
Mountain bike trail centres typically grade their routes
based on di culty, taking into account technical factors,
the distance of the ride and any climbing involved. Green
routes are mostly aimed at family groups, providing
flat, smooth surfaces and room for cyclists to ride two-
abreast, while blue, red and black trails are listed in order
of di culty for those needing more of a challenge. The
British Cycling website has a useful guide to grading,
but sometimes it is better to do your own research, both
online and by asking questions when you arrive.
Also well set up for mountain bikes are:
• Cycle paths and cycle tracks
• Woodlands owned by the Forestry Commission, with
accessible tracks and on-site bike hire for fun, off-
road riding in great locations