Downhill MTB'ing on a Tricross - Never again!

[Andy84]

Just back from Tilgate Forest near Crawley, as my brother has got himself a MTB.

The standard bridle ways were fine, I had expected a bit of mud so had bought some Cross tyres. But then I find out, that my brother (who has only been out on the bike once before, and hasn't ridden since he was about 12) has absoloutly no fear, and wants to start taking on the down hill tracks! We did a few, but I was quite scared about trashing my bike, so up pops n+1.

Looking around, it looks like best bike for under £500 will be the Rockrider 8.1? From Decathlon - Any one got any other suggestions?

 

[Dave7]

I had £1K to spend and looked at lots of them but eventually went for the Rockrider as the others didn't seem to offer much better specs i.e. the Rockrider has Rockshox Silver and decent (mid range) Sram gears. It's also quite light and looks the part.
Crappy tyres which I will change (see my post below)

 

[Ticktockmy]

Is Tilgate open again, I though they had closed it for a while as work was being done in the forest? Parts of it scare me shitless, but then I am a old wrinkley, so should know better than tear around the routes like a mad thing. One should act ones age, so my fellow coffin dodgers tell me.lol

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Is Tilgate open again, I though they had closed it for a while as work was being done in the forest? Parts of it scare me shitless, but then I am a old wrinkley, so should know better than tear around the routes like a mad thing. One should act ones age, so my fellow coffin dodgers tell me.lol

Varies from week-to-week and day-to-day and still lots of folk riding up there on the naughty bits without permits so I'm told.

 

[lukesdad]

Varies from week-to-week and day-to-day and still lots of folk riding up there on the naughty bits without permits so I'm told.

Ive heard of a few places requiring permits now, how widespread is it ?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Ive heard of a few places requiring permits now, how widespread is it ?

Locally? Two places in Sussex, Tilgate and Rogate, where CTC and FC have regularised use in everyone's best interests. You either join the club or buy a day permit from the CTC website.

In other locations iirc paying to park buys you the permit but darned if I can remember which ones!

 

[lukesdad]

Rogate Petersfield way ?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Rogate Petersfield way ?

indeed.

 

[lukesdad]

I d love to get back that way soon. Some great bridleways around the hants sussex border area.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I d love to get back that way soon. Some great bridleways around the hants sussex border area.

Oh yes, many a happy trailquest in hants back in the day...

 

[Ticktockmy]

Varies from week-to-week and day-to-day and still lots of folk riding up there on the naughty bits without permits so I'm told.

I did not realise you needed to have permits to ride bikes around in Tilgate, i used to have a permit when i rode my old nag through there. what happens about the NCN 20 that runs down through the Forest! Or is the permit only required for the area which is for the MTB area, or all the trails within the Forest.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I did not realise you needed to have permits to ride bikes around in Tilgate, i used to have a permit when i rode my old nag through there. what happens about the NCN 20 that runs down through the Forest! Or is the permit only required for the area which is for the MTB area, or all the trails within the Forest.

The permit is needed to ride the Bike Park area and the downhills only.

All you need to know and more can be found here on the CTC website.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Thanks Greg, Guess Robert has been a Notti Boi then. I had assumed as I was all ready full member of the CTC that counted. Still lots more routes around the forest to play in. The old Endro tracks make for good riding.