Climb: c.450m
Grade: Red
Rating: 3/5
"good, solid
route, of classic style, with plenty of visual and technical stimulation to
warrant investment of time and energy"
This route is not
particuarly demanding, yet it is a ride typical of its Cotswold setting. The
starting point is already high up in the Cotswold Hills and therefore there is
not the grand opening climb one might expect when tackling a well-known range
of hills or a classic route or the expectant 'final descent' so typical of modern trail centres. With the exception of the escarpment running
northeast-southwest, the Cotswolds are not peaky mountain but rolling high
wolds. The trail itself is adapted from the route as described by Tom Fenton in his Cotswold mountain biking guidebook.
"we came down there and now we're heading up there" (Mint Sauce), mirroring the natural landscape in which it is set, this route has a rolling character of
continuous short climbs and descents. Following a quick uphill
blast out of Guiting Power village and a gentle warm up along a country lane,
the route diverts on to farm land and heads downhill through long grassy fields - a quick road jaunt at the bottom leads you to a stony
track that follows the river Windrush before heading uphill and away from the stream.
This section of the
ride is very tranquil and a beautiful part of the trail. Emerging from the
woods the route crosses further open fields, this time inhabited by sheep (and sheep eggs, as someone kindly pointed out on the cleave hill post - if you don't like getting dirty I suggest you give up mountain biking) -
happily grazing away and keeping the natural singletrack well defined.
The trail leads to the village of Upper Slaughter, revisiting the river bank of the Windrush. Head straight
through the village and out along a tarmac lane (approx 1km) until you reach the byway finger pointer -
head up the stony double track, taking time to admire the wildflowers that
decorate the verges and the bees that service them, before reaching the brow
of the hill and heading back down the other side. Descending along trail, adjacent to tall
bramble hedgerows before entering a pine copse and arriving back at the river Windrush again at Aston House.
Head uphill and look
for Aston Farm. Pass through the farmyard and follow the singletrack across the
field and in to the woods. The following 2-3km of singletrack is my second most enjoyable part of the ride. It weaves sinuously around
the trees like slalom posts and undulates up and down like a roller coaster. On a dry day it really flows quite well eventually emerging adjacent some heavily overgrown scrub land and
heading in to one of the quicker descents of the ride (although short), finishing at the bank of
the river Windrush, again.
It is the
most flowing and thrilling section of the ride from a pure riding perspective.
As good as it is, however, it doesn't match sections of Bredon hill or Cleeve
hill for both duration or technicality. Nevertheless it is there to be
attacked and enjoyed and certainly adds to the overall content of this route. Follow the Windrush for 1 or 2 km along the Holst way before crossing the river and heading up a steep climb and around the back of a local golf course, followed by another descent - the trail leading in to and out of the village of Naunton. The long road climb that follows is a drag but eventually becomes a stony track and leads in to quarry country. The trail leads past the quarry works before eventually leading in to the fastest and longest descent of the route down a fairly rocky chute of trail, the ending section prior to emerging on to the road is probably the most technical.
A road blast takes you past the Halfway House inn at Kineton. This pub offers a welcome break with good beers and food on offer and with only a ford crossing and a 2km cruise along a smooth stretch of trail back to Guiting Power to follow, one can take advantage of the mid ride bevvy. There is also another nice pub in the middle of the village for post ride drinks, if you prefer.
There's a good car
park near to the village football ground, which is essentially free. It has a
donation box, which you can use if you wish.
