Watchmoor Bike Park and Moors Valley Mountain Biking

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Avg 2.75
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
Facilities
Number of Reviews (6)
Watchmoor Bike Park and Moors Valley Mountain Biking
  • Information:
  • Type: Purpose Built Centre
  • Grades: Blue, Red, Black
  • Riding: Cross Country, Downhill, Dirt Jumps, BMX, Pump-Track, Bike-Skills-Park
  • Facilities: Pay and Display, Toilets, Visitor-Centre, Cafe, Bike Hire
  • Distance(s): Under 5km, 5-10km
  • Number: 01425 470721
  • Country: England
  • County: Dorset
  • Website: Watchmoor Bike Park and Moors Valley Mountain Biking
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Dave Marsh:
Avg 2.25
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
Facilities

Use for improving fitness and just getting out on the bike

This trail does not compare to other MTB parks in the UK and it's blue status is questionable. It does not have berms or technical sections. That being said I like to go early before any families get there and go around as fast as my ability allows. There are rocks on the inside and outside of every turn, which seriously limits your ability to maintain speed. But I enjoy the all weather track, the fact it is 30 minutes away and it reminds me of being a kid in the 70's and riding through tracks in the local woods. I have given trail quality a 3 because the trail is well maintained not because it is technical or comprises berms and DH sections

Good points:

All weather Fun to ride fast Can ride at night Good Cafe that caters for wet an muddy cyclists

Bad points:

walkers using the bike path Park run most weekends starting at 9:00 or 9:30 Wooden sections are lethal in rain and frost

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

30/12//2016 - about 7 years ago

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1
Jim McWibb:
Avg 0.61
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
Facilities

Not a blue

I'm going to review this track based on my experience of riding other "blue" trails at other centres. This, simply put, bares no resemblance to other blue trails. There are no berms. There are no rollers. There are no technical sections. There's nothing even close to resembling a jump or drop-off, and no options for more technical features. These are all features I've come to expect from blue trails at other trail centres, like Haldon Forest, Plymbridge Woods, Cardinham woods, Forest of Dean, etc. Instead, what you have is a narrow ribbon of blue hardcore laid out through the forest, marked with little rocks on either side of the trail, and there is absolutely no variety to this (apart from a few wooden walkway sections to get you over boggy sections). This is a pootle through the forest, nothing more. Your granny could do it with ease. One other review mentioned that the trail comes alive when trying to do it as fast as possible. This is true to an extent, but this trail is not designed for such shenanigans, and indeed it seems the design purposefully discourages you from trying to do this. Every (and I mean EVERY) corner has rocks placed on the outside bend on the exit of the corner, right where your front wheel wants to be to take the corner even a little bit aggressively. This means that every corner becomes an exercise in managing your speed in order to avoid wiping out on these rocks. If that floats your boat, fine, but to me it destroys any flow the trail has (remember all corners are flat, there are no berms), and it becomes tedious and mundane after just a few minutes. Just thinking about comparing this trail to the blue at FoD or Cardinham woods is laughable. It's black and white. There is no question in my mind that this should be a green. The thing is, people will travel to this trail centre with the blue trails at other 1SW trail centres in mind, and they'll be severely disappointed. That's why I'm writing this. The "bike park" in the SE corner of the forest is OK if you like jumping, but this review is for the blue trail only.

Good points:

It's well maintained and the surface is good for the most part. That's about it for good.

Bad points:

It's not blue. It's significantly less technical and fun than what you've come to expect from "blue" at other sites.

Would you recommend?

Date written:

29/10//2016 - over 7 years ago

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1
TelSTFC:
Avg 3.02
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
Facilities

The best thing about the blue route is its pretty tight single-track and left as tight as can be with lots of trees each side. I went last week and the whole route was dry and running well. Worth a spin if you are in the area but don't expect anything technical

Good points:

Lovely all weather snaking single-track that if ridden fast around 11 -12mph average speed can be great fun. Can blast around 2 laps and proves a decent work out at around 9.5 miles after work. In the week not busy and you have the trail to yourself more or less. Very well maintained and old bridges/north shore have been replaced with new gripper wood. Worth a spin if you are in the area.

Bad points:

Not worth travelling a long distance for as only around 4.7miles per loop but a good local work out. Gets very busy at weekends with families but as its a blue route this is to be expected and nice to see youngsters getting into mountain biking No red options which is a shame, could do with a couple of miles of red snaking off the blue. No long down-hills. No technical bits just smooth flowing single-track which is still great fun

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

24/09//2015 - over 8 years ago

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1