The Past, Present and Future of Aston Hill Hot

This post covers my long love affair with Aston Hill. I have been too many times to count. It's addictive qualities have made me pull sickies at work and spend stupid money on a downhill bike to compensate for my lack of ability. To all Londoners concreted in the hell of civilisation this needs if not already, to be a must on your spiritual biking journey.

OK lets talk the course.

• Cross country. This is around 5 miles ( although don't quote me.. it certainly feels it) and has some really tough climbs. It is rooty and you go through some nice forest. It is not really do able on a downhill bike unless you are prepared to walk a bit.  The end section is the red downhill run so it gets tight and steep with some great corners. It's a quality course overall.
• The Red down hill we have covered above and great for an experienced mountain biker moving up their game.
• Next up is the DW3 or the blue. Why it is referred to as the blue is beyond me as it is more technical and challenging than the red. In my opinion anyways. It start with a flat route in and a little kicker followed by some jumps. Next it covers into a really rooty and steep section. Turning the corner you hit a sweet drop that keeps your wits about you. Form then it is pure speed speed speed. A great warm up to a downhill day and a serious route in it's own right.

• Then the infamous black. The most addictive course I know. It starts of tame moving into a truly beautiful berm (take with lots of speed)and then you traverse along through roots for a bit. Actually the red, black and ultimate pursuits trails all start on the same piece of track. OK back to Black shortly you hit, roots, more roots, drops, drops, drops followed by drops and even more drops, Tight corners, more tight corners, neat ladder drops. All sweet and technically very challenging.
• The Ultimate Pursuits. Same start as others then a great little kicker. Off you go down to a pretty big drop. It took me a year to get the balls to do this but Metalhead talked me through it Past the drop a tight corner and steep down.  Bliss but you may leave your breath behind at some point on this one mind.

I think you can get maybe 8 - 10 runs in on a day of downhilling as there is a good 20 minute walk up each time (this is when we make new friends and discuss our injuries). I believe Metalhead once got 15 runs in). Make sure you have full face and body armour here on all the downhill routes and go with someone who knows it especially as it is unmanned and you don't want to head down the wrong trail. Hurts me to say this but avoid it if wet as it is chalk and not well drained .

They have some facilities and a car park but if you are a spoilt on trail centres then this is a bit more rugged. There is a portaloo and a portable cafe. But that's all you need.