Sherwood Pines Kitchener Mountain Bike Trail
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- You never quite know what a trail centre is going to be like until you are there. It's also not often that I have something bad to say about a mountain bike destination. With the promise of technical riding and difficult physical challenges, I was psyched to get riding. But were things as advertised?
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Fantastic review, very fair I think - I’ve always treated Sherwood Pines as an XC loop. There was talk of removing the jump lines, which would really finish this place off as a “family friendly trail centre”
The jumps were the only redeeming feature. Definitely not a red trail, no way. The downhills are also not 2 dot difficulties. Riders from here will get a shock when they actually ride a red trail or downhill trail (in the Forest of Dean for example).
@@bikeandbeyond Absolutely, this was the my first mtb trail experience - luckily I had people tell me to expect way harder at other trail centers. Otherwise I would have had a dangerous amount of overconfidence going on actual reds!
For people who live local this is the best we have without driving for hours just to cycle on something that isn’t road or public bridleway. It’s a good way to practice skills especially if you park nearby and cycle in to avoid the ridiculous parking charge.
Yeah, if it’s your local it’s a good way to get on a bike. The area has potential, it just fell short of my expectations (based on how they marketed their trail).
£8 to park there ridiculous
"The mental challenge was boredom" 👌 Classic! I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds some trails really lacking. Good vid fella 👍
It's fair to say that it wasn't the most inspirational trail ever.
It’s so true. A while back I was like 20 mins into the Red, and I just stopped and went home. 🤣
I ride Sherwood pines quite a bit and I’ve got to agree it is a bit featureless, however ride it fast and hard to get the best out of it and it livens it up
The red at Sherwood was my first experience of singletrack. As a novice, it was a lot more fun than riding bridleways, but I soon progressed to Dalby (being about the same amount travel time in the opposite direction) and I've only returned to Sherwood only a couple of times. It's a shame that it's not more exciting, because it's about as good as it gets for most of the Midlands.
I have so far found this the case with a lot of mtb places located on forestry commision land, they generally grade everything one level above what it should be. The closest one to me also claims a very well surfaced fireroad that two cars could easily pass on as a blue trail as well.
Parking charges.
Welcome to the party pal. Nottingham is expensive not sure why but we are.
Taking my lad Sherwood on Saturday
I’m a local person who has used the Red Route for 10 years. I was curious to see a review from someone who has travelled to see it. Completely agree. In the area this is the best trail by far. However, the parking is excessive and the trail is too flat. Pines have the ability to make the route have some really interesting sections but just as they fix one thing they ruin it by adding in rocks that slow you down or a jump that just does not work. And the end section… the end section… it is awful there is no way to get a flow and leaves you thinking woah what an ending! Tornado Alley has always been the best section though. You see people on full suspensions all day here but you’re completely right about the hardtail. I’ve used hardtail 80% of the time I’ve been here. It allows for better pumping and it’s just easier to get it in the right spot. Overall Pines have the ability to make the route really fun but just haven’t so far!
Yeah I agree. I think you have given it a fair summary. The area really does have potential. It’s a shame that it isn’t being fully utilised.
Completely agree with your assessment. I haven't been in a year or so but always thought of it as an easy xc loop just to get some fitness back. The topography isn't great in quite a wide radius from Sherwood pines so it's the best riding for the area, but that's not saying much.
Yeah you are right. Definitely an XC loop. A great fitness ride, which is fine. I think they just need to change the trail description and grade.
I went here today with my family after watching this video last week. It’s a great trail if you’ve got young kids. I kind of felt bad for the guys turning up with DH rigs and full face helmets 😂
Brilliant review.! Yes Sherwood pines a massive make over lots of stuff nothing to give.! Defo not a red trail. Xc loop more yes!
You think pines is boring try Thetford forest , unfortunately living in lincolnshire these are the closest trials to me. Pines isn’t too bad on a emtb like others say you need to get some speed up to enjoy it.
It's the Midlands we have no hills to go down lol but they have do some improvements this year and the kitchener trail is now called the outlaw trail after a local mtb group I know its not on the same level as bike park wales but it's mylocal
This is quite a fair review, but it does seem you missed half of the red trail which includes the only good board there. board number 16. If the entire red route was like board 16 it would be a much different experience.
Ride here all the time. It's definitely a XC trail. They could do more with it though as there is quite a large area to play with. To be fair, they are working on it more and making changes but its never going to blow you away as there just isnt the elevation to make anything really fast and technical.
I was 9th on the red trail at one point. Just behind team Inneos rider Conor Swift. Think the trails been changed since then. I still love that route. Definitely need to get back there.
Wow 9th is a good effort! It would be good to see how the trail compares to what you remember it being. I wonder how much it has changed.
I’ve rode the red and blue route, the blue is a little faster but yes your correct the problem with it is that like most of the area there aren’t any hills it’s mainly all flat so no downhills
This is my local and me and my riding buddies couldn't agree more with what you are saying, in fact we have always said the exact same.
We mostly use this as part of weekday night rides for just getting out. If we want something fun we usually go towards wales or up north to somewhere like hamsterley.
Its a shame cause there is potential there, just whoever is in charge of the trail building (and the volunteers) seem to just have no clue.
Totally agree with everything you said.
I’ve been going there since like 1998.
They use to have a North Shore section where the “Downhill” track it. Was much better.
Like I mentioned in a previous reply, I was 20 mins into the Red section and I just stopped and went home. OH then boredom.
Haha yeah I know what you mean. At one point I thought I may have strayed on to a green trail...nope, it was still the red :)
@@bikeandbeyond 😂😂. Hilarious 👊🏼
Don't fancy showing a few of us around some of the off Piste at haldon do you. We know a few bits but would be Good too see some that we aren't sure of
Visited this place today and I have to totally agree it was boring on the red and bare in mind I haven’t been on a bike in over 15 years and have had no practice. I bought a bike and jumped into the red. Started off ok in the first section and then the double rock drop and that was it after that I was struggling to enjoy anything else.
My beef with this sort of thing is that if someone first got into mtb just riding just there, and there alone, and then went and threw themselves down a real red trail it would probably end badly.
I'm not a stickler for ze rules but the trail ratings system is useful _if_ it's used properly. The guidance is pretty clear so I don't know what they were thinking slapping a red grade on something that looks like you could ride a shopping bike on.
Yeah I am in the same school of thought. If you are used to riding this red, then you go and ride a red somewhere else, you will probably come unstuck.
I did exactly that myself today on the red run after not being on a bike for 15+ years had zero issues with any obstacle on a bike I bought with no ride time 😅. It’s 100% not worth the red run status imo
The jumps was made by the people who lived just village near by for the off-road bikes I remember as I made some with freinds :)
They've made a few changes recently. Nothing major, a few big berms and a couple of additional small features. It is a boring pedal-fest still for the most part. There is some off-piste if you head down the DH runs, out the bottom, straight across the blue trail and keep going in that direction (West). Much more elevation and descents to be found, but they mostly seem to be trails carved by 4x4s and moto-x bikes. Still rideable though. There is much better riding in the local area to be found. Head back towards the M1 J27 and explore a bit...
Awesome. Thanks for the info. I will go on a bit of an explore and see what I can find.
That was early on for the red trail
I had read once that they keep it fairly tame because Centre Parks being near by and they have had families on the red route. Not sure how true this is, but either way, I enjoy Pines!
Hey man, thanks for the comment. Yeah that is totally fair enough. I think it is great that families and novice riders can enjoy mountain biking. We were all novices once (and I still ride like one half the time 😅). It is genuinely a perfect trail for that (and cross country riders too).
My only issue with it is that they just need to change the trail description and downgrade it from a red. Then all is good.
Red route in thetford forest is more interesting than this red route. Think ill save myself the drive and keep to my local one 😅
They’ve made it better now
😂 I’m not falling for that again
I travelled 2 hours and rode the Blue and Red on Friday, with my 11 year old son. We found the blue very boring but he loved the red. I came away thinking the same as you. It's too flat - there are no defined uphills, followed by downhill sections, it's all just pedal, pedal, pedals. The last few sections are fun but it's a blue graded trail at best. If this was in Scotland it would be a Green 🤣
P.S - The parking is now £9 !
Yeah that’s it. A few more interesting features would make things a bit better but as it is there isn’t really much there.
Hi
Solid video, thanks.
You should try out Swinley. And if you have time after that, drop by The Croft Trail in Swindon.
A couple of people have recommended Swinley. I need to get over that way
@@bikeandbeyond I really like Swinley. But check out the Croft Trail in Swindon. It was all built by volunteers and maintained by them. Also Badbury Clump which is just outside Swindon.
In the eyes of Forestry Commission, black is the new red, red is the new blue, blue is the new green and green is for Barbie bikes
I've been riding Sherwood Pines trails for about fifteen years now. First of all: Pines are a family recreational park for everybody, not a racer's choice for a challenge. You want bruises? Ride in Wales, Scotland or ride in Sonoma or Tahoe Lake trails. For 90 percent of UK mountain bikers, The Kitchener is red enough. There was the yellow chopper airlift too. My view.
Hey thanks for the commented Yes I think you are right, that is my point really. I have nothing against the trail, family friendly centres or families riding this trail (I am also not saying that you can’t enjoy the trail. it’s a good trail for a casual peddle around) but my point is that it should be a blue grade. Red graded trails by the definition ARE challenging. The grading definition says you need to be competent and have the correct protective kit, therefore red graded trails are not for everybody (that’s why we grade MTB trails in the first place. Too keep inexperienced riders from getting hurt on them).
The chances are that you ride this red and think you are a ‘red capable rider’ you are going to go somewhere else and get hurt when you come up against actual red features.
(I hope that doesn’t come across as narcy, I definitely don’t mean it to come across that way. It’s difficult to write anything in the comments without it sounding aggressive 😅).
It’s never good to hear that someone had been hurt, especially if they need a helicopter ambulance. Unfortunately this is a common occurrence at centres at the moment, people ride trails that are too advanced for them or don’t have the correct protective kit and end up getting hurt. That’s why proper trail grades and signs are important in my view.
I ride up there on occasion so may see you there 👍🏻
aren't trail centres graded for what's there as opposed to being a universal grading system , I mean look at bike park Wales the blues there are more like reds in most other places I've ridden , it's not a fool proof system by any means , just means as riders we need to be aware that it's a grading graded at that particular park . great video although you did bash it quite hard I guess everyone is entitled to opinions which is fair
My local but dint realy ride it as i think it isn't all that like this guys review 100 agree
I did red on a hard tail today, very easy. Wasn’t sure where to do it as it was bagged up on the trail overview but it was nothing really
Yeah it’s a shame
I agree the red is easy .
But to say it's a easy blue.
Can't say you'd be right .
It looks a blue for sure. I guess it's all relative and depends on where you are used to riding.
@@TorrentUK I've ridden all over UK pal.
Sherwood pines has a few nasty little bits. I agree it's a easy red mostly but not a blue no
@@scottjameseaton5503 Well I haven't ridden there so I can't talk from a position of knowledge, but there's nothing in the video that suggests it's anything other than a blue - and if you've ridden all over the UK you'll know very well that's the case.
@@TorrentUK I don't agree I've ridden it .
A easy red yes a blue don't get rock drops and drop offs on blues normally.
@@scottjameseaton5503 Bike Park Wales - Mythyr Rocks - blue trail rock garden. FlyUp 417 Cheese Roller, blue trail that's considerably more engaging than the red shown in the video. Rogate Bike Park, Bottle Rocket - blue - has gnarly roots at the top as you start descending into the trail, and a small drop (might be two actually) on the lower section. That's just off the top of my head.
There's a question whether you can really compare bike parks, to natural forest trails when it comes to red and blues, but the fact remains that the red trail above would be disappointing to most 'red' trail mtb'ers.
You can’t slag of a trail centre for not having downhill sections in the bloody Midlands!!😂😂
Hardtail all the way. A full suspension actually makes it less enjoyable. I think you are spot on overall. Interesting how you describe it as natural? I think the truth on this place is definitely already out there. It isn't a red, its a bit dull, it hasn't got any really good descents.... All true! As has been said, it is clearly old school XC and is better enjoyed at full speed, where you can feel a bit of a tingle of excitement. It is also OK for judging fitness, as it is a consistent surface. To be honest you're far better off avoiding all trail centres and if you were in the area go a few miles further north west to the Peak District ... But then you might get lost, not have a big car park or even have an on site cafe 😜
Yeah I think you are right. Avoiding the trail centres all together is probably the best option. Next time I head up I might just do that. 👍🏻
@@bikeandbeyond you'd do right 😎👍
Hey, I'm thinking of going to this trail. I used to love biking but haven't been riding for a while. I don't live long away from there but I also need a bike and do not have a big budget (around £350), I'm having trouble finding a bike and was wondering if anyone knew any decent ones preferably a hardtail. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
Sherwood Pines is just a blue (maybe even green)single track ,quite featureless and the parking charges are hideous when you compare to better places like Gisburn etc
Will u ever go to swindled forest
I will get there eventually. It’s a bit of a trek from me, so I will end up there next time I go to visit friends.
Been saying this for ages . Potential for a lot more .
Kilometres?
If you ever go back to pines it’s worth getting to know someone who can take you off piste it’s a lot better than the red
I live local to pines and go there most weekends and I know most of the off piste stuff so if you ever went to meet there I can take you round the good bits
Tbh I didn't see how it was marketed but was looking forward to seeing a new red trail and you just constantly went along what looked like the most boring trail I've seen in a long time how was the blue trail did it have more features?
I think if I had paid to travel there and park I would be demanding a refund for both parking and fuel thatred trail needs to be remarketed
It’s was a serious snooze fest. After the ‘red’ trail was so poor, I couldn’t bring myself to ride the blue.
@@bikeandbeyond I don't blame you tbh,
I went to Ashton court on the weekend and was amazing made this red trail look even worse than what it is
I went there for the 1st time about a month ago, I won't be going back.
I feel like you must have missed a bit. It's no mountain but it's not that flat 😂
For seniors, electric bikes with fat knobby tires would be perfect for this trail.
250 watts maximum!
I am riding the one like that there. Plenty of grumpy beer boys behind me.
It’s not new. It’s been there for years 🤷♂️. Also it’s pretty obvious it’s going to be flat. It’s Nottinghamshire. Didn’t you notice that on the drive there ?😂😂😂
i reckon you've left plenty of reviews....ffs
the parking charges are a joke.
I agree with you there!
@@bikeandbeyond i live near by and i pay £60 for the year. I did the red at Cannock chase last year and it is miles above the red at pines. The blue at pines is just an xc course but its long enough and they have added some berms to the beginning section.
Everyone knows pines is flat, that why you have to pedal so much.
I agree that it's featureless but ride it at full beans it's fun, it's a good xc loop.
Also if you ask the locals nice enough they might show you the off piste bits, 100 times better.
Trail centre made by the council and not the riders I think 🤣
Yeah, it’s all about getting families in the carpark so they use the cafe, play on Go Ape and spend some money. Not for mountain bikers.