Leckhampton & Birdlip

The Lecky and Birdlip route could be described as a very typical ride through the Cotswolds. It comes from the Cotswold mtb guide book by Tom Fenton but with a few minor alterations to make it a bit more fun.

Navigating around the southwestern escarpment of the Cotswolds (Gloucestershire), it benefits from beautiful views over the Severn estuary and to Wales, superbly technical climbing/descending and to top it off a leisurely gallop through the rolling hills of the 'wolds.

The route takes in some very pretty villages including Birdlip and traverses some stunning scenery that, over it's 34km length, cannot be beaten on a warm and pleasant summer's day. With fields a plenty of wildflower, pine and beach woodland rushing gently in the wind and the farm life grazing as a backdrop, one can simply pass through as though in a day dream (or a scene from a Mint Sauce strip). This is, quite simply, what summer's days are made for.

Let's start by just clarifying, this is an xc route at heart. Yes, it has some very good, and quite technical, climbs and descents but nothing that would find itself on a DH course.

Starting from the Daisy Bank car park on Leckhampton Hill one should climb the escarpment to join the Cotswold way on the top of the hill. Take a brief moment to enjoy the view but don't linger for too long - you'll see it again soon enough.

Following the Byway through Ullenwood towards Birdlip you will take in a wide open descent followed by a steep climb up a typical loose Cotswold stone track. Here there is an opportunity to follow a bit of off piste woodland trail off to the right of the main track. At the top of the climb, head left and pass a farm before descending again in to open meadows.

Following the bridleway through the valley turn right and head through the wildflower meadows. Pass the kennels and underpass for the A417 road before reaching the escarpment once again. Follow the Cotswold way in to the woods and as far as the main road - climb on the road in to Birdlip turning right at the top of the hill before re-joining the Cotswold way to descend through the woods.

After approximately 1km bear left and head back uphill, emerging on to the road. Turning back on oneself (left) follow the roadside singletrack trail back towards Birdlip. Note: along this section there are two fairly technical drop-offs to be had so keep your eyes peeled.

Before actually reaching Birdlip head right through a belt of trees and, following the bridleway, head across country, away from the escarpment and in to the rolling hills.  Following a few kilometers on road, linked with small sections of Bridleway, you will reach Brimpsfield. From here there is a 1-2km light gradient descent in to the valley. You will reach a large lake, then a climb back out towards A417.

Navigate your way through a couple more villages before reaching a long 2km track slowly ascending back towards Leckhampton. This will eventually lead to the double roundabout, from which you head northwest re-joining the Cotswold way to round the very upper edge of the escarpment back to Daisy bank.  The sinuous, flowing singletrack weaving its way around the top of the hill - with a couple of hundred feet of altitude on your near left - is quite exhilarating.

Choices, choices. With only the final descent back to the car to attend to, there are choices to make. From the common atop Leckhampton hill make your way to the Bridleway. This descends at quite a fast rate but as it plateaus by the old lime kilns there are a number of downhill runs on offer which aren't overly obvious and have differing levels of extremeness. If in doubt ask someone for the most suitable line - as there is fun to be had on each. Its a befitting end to a super trail.

You can, of course, push back up and have another go too.

Pearce XC - Hopton Castle

 









Climb -

Length - 11-17km

Time - 1.5 - 2 hrs

Difficulty -  Red

Rating - 4/5

The Pearce XC trail at Hopton castle is not a considerably long route but what it lacks in distance in certainly makes up for with sheer variety and content.

The full route is split in to 3 sections; the taster loop (2km), the main red trail (11km) and the blue extension loop (4km). Together they make for a very engaging ride with plenty of technical content and varying trail conditions to keep the rider focused.

The trail also declares an assault on the senses with its stunning scenery and fragrances to intoxicate.

I've ridden here twice, and on both occasions I was done by the finish line. For a short route it certainly uses a fair amount calories so bring food as you'll want some energy for the final climb.

In places the trail has a similar feel to it as Cwm Carn with its loose rocky terrain. However, the start  is more loamy than rocky. Unlike any other trail centre I've visited, Hopton starts with a pretty good descent, navigating down the steep hillside and deep in to a valley. The steep lines, well bedded berms and roots all over the place make for a full on opening section.

Following a slight climb the terrain changes as the route passes through an old stone delve (this was, in fact, the delve used for much of the new stone used on the repairs to the actual castle at Hopton Castle in 2011), the trail becoming very rocky and loose. A quick singletrack section full of berms and sweeping corners brings you out on the beginning of the climb.

This is a killer of an ascent but thankfully it is split in to more manageable sections. Initially a bit of fire road links to some switchbacks. These lead back to fire road where the gradient steepens. The climb levels momentarily before the final flourish. You emerge in a wide clearing with views over Herefordshire/Shropshire (this is a good snack point).

The following sections get pretty technical as it enters the woodland. The trail is absolutely littered with roots. You cannot avoid them so speed, flow and line choice is quite critical to ensure that you skim over them rather than getting bogged down. As you emerge from the trees the xc route joins the DH track for approximately 100 yards. The line simply invites you to go faster with good visibility down the trail but, again, it is a very rooty section. Also, make sure to keep your eyes open for the way marker as the two routes split very suddenly.

Following a short fire road blast the route nips back in to the trees for some more big bermed descending followed by quick singletrack through open grassland. In general visibility is again pretty good with exception of mid summer when the grasses are their highest. Grip is good though so you can go at a pretty good canter.

Following a brief climb repeat the last paragraph before embarking on the grueling climb back towards the car park. This is probably the one gripe I have but its more of a reflection of my current fitness than anything. Not only is the end of the trail a climb but its a harsh ascent at that. It just keeps going.

The final roller/pump section flows pretty well, if you're alert enough to pick the right line and speed. Tired and this section might feel a bit clumsy. 

Hopton Castle has a long standing history in mtb and the PearceXC trail adds to this pedigree. The route has none of the manicured feel of other man made trail centres. In fact there is no real centre at all, just a forestry commission car park and a sign board. I think this adds to the rawness, and attraction, of the place.  It has much less traffic than an average trail centre to the point that I was the ONLY person on the trail when I rode it and it was pure bliss.

Lets hope that potential routes nearby are as successful, keep an ear to the grape vine.

ElNinoMtb - mountain biking related artwork

Mountain Biking related artwork

 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ElNinoMtb 

The above link is a url for my Etsy shop, from which I am selling various mountain bike related artwork. I currently have 2 pieces of artwork available and they are described below.

As a trainee Architect and artist I believe I have developed a keen eye for design. With a massive interest in Mountain Biking it feels only natural for me to direct some of my creativity towards the sport I love.

Below is a description of the first two items I have produced...

Product 1 - 'trail centre info board' with inspirational Einstein quotation.

This was initially designed as a moving in present for a friend of mine. He, like me, is an avid mountain biker. I wanted to give him something that would really hit the spot. He really liked the piece, as did many of the guests who encouraged me to produce more and sell them - so I have.

The plaque is designed to look a like a trail centre information board and leads with an inspirational quote by Albert Einstein "life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving". The piece then expands to metaphorically describe life as a mountain bike trail.

The design has been professionally printed on to vinyl and backed on to a metal plaque. The plaque is mounted on to a timber board to give it an authentic trail centre info board feel.

I have used the correct type font for the text and the image of the bike is adapted from that generally used for trail marker posts as seen at numerous trail centers around the country.

The metal plaque is set off of the back board with spacers and fixed using socket head bolts to maintain authenticity in the mountain biking world.

Item measures 43 x 22cm. Limited run of 50 produced - each is individually numbered

Product 2 - UK trail centre map - in a London Underground style

This poster is designed in the style of a tube map and depicts, and links together, most of the popular mountain bike trail centers of the UK.

It uses a keyed set of colours (Green, Blue, Red, Black & Orange) that reference the typical grading system to link together appropriate centers depending on the classification of trails at the various venues.

The venues included are
England: The Track Portreath, Gawton, Haldon, Ashton Court - Leigh Woods, QECP, Swinley, PORC, Aston Hill, Woburn Sands, Forest Of Dean, Hopton Castle, Long Mynd, Cannock, Leamington, Chicksands, Thetford, Sherwood Pines, Warncliffe woods, Stainburn, Delamere, Lee Quarry, Gisburn Forest, Dalby, Grizedale, Hamsterely, Winlatter.

Scotland: Kirroghtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae Forest, Kielder, Drumlanrig, Newcastleton, Innerleithen, Glentress, Carron Valley, Arran, Fire Tower Trail, Fort William, Laggan Wolftrax, Moray, Learnie Red Rock, Golspie, Balblair.

Wales: Cwm Carn, Gethin Woods, Afan, Brechfa, Cwm Raeadr, Coed Trallwm, Nant Yr Arian, Machynlleth, Coed Y Brenin, Antur Stiniog, Penmachno, Betws Y Coed, Llandegla

Poster measures 38 x 28.2cm and would suit a frame of 40 x 30cm as shown in the photograph and is printed on approx 160gsm paper to give a bit of weight.

This is an intriguing design that entices people to stop and look and has a familiar easy to understand feel to it.

This listing is for unframed poster only

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