iBikeRide.com

This post covers my long love affair with Aston Hill. I have been too many times to count. It's addictive qualities have made me pull sickies at work and spend stupid money on a downhill bike to compensate for my lack of ability. To all Londoners concreted in the hell of civilisation this needs if not already, to be a must on your spiritual biking journey. It's future is being defined now.

c

It is an interesting time for this legend of a centre as it has changed hands from Ian and his Dad Mike (great guy who managed the car park and made you feel looked after) to the new team at Buckingham Bikes. There is a meeting in the next few days with the Forestry Commission to define it''s future. ibikeride are hoping to attend to show and hopefully offer practical support to Buckingham Bikes to make this legend of a centre even better. So looking back and hopefully forward this video features my two main riding buddies Gamecat (frustrated i.e. shooting and not biking) and Metalhead in the hot seat sessioning the jump four cross area until mastered.

OK lets talk the course.

• Cross country. This is around 5 miles ( although don't quote me.. it certainly feels it) and has some really tough climbs. It is rooty and you go through some nice forest. It is not really do able on a downhill bike unless you are prepared to walk a bit.  The end section is the red downhill run so it gets tight and steep with some great corners. It's a quality course overall.
• The Red down hill we have covered above and great for an experienced mountain biker moving up their game.
• Next up is the DW3 or the blue. Why it is referred to as the blue is beyond me as it is more technical and challenging than the red. In my opinion anyways. It start with a flat route in and a little kicker followed by some jumps. Next it covers into a really rooty and steep section. Turning the corner you hit a sweet drop that keeps your wits about you. Form then it is pure speed speed speed. A great warm up to a downhill day and a serious route in it's own right.

• Then the infamous black. The most addictive course I know. It starts of tame moving into a truly beautiful berm (take with lots of speed)and then you traverse along through roots for a bit. Actually the red, black and ultimate pursuits trails all start on the same piece of track. OK back to Black shortly you hit, roots, more roots, drops, drops, drops followed by drops and even more drops, Tight corners, more tight corners, neat ladder drops. All sweet and technically very challenging.
• The Ultimate Pursuits. Same start as others then a great little kicker. Off you go down to a pretty big drop. It took me a year to get the balls to do this but Metalhead talked me through it Past the drop a tight corner and steep down.  Bliss but you may leave your breath behind at some point on this one mind.

I think you can get maybe 8 - 10 runs in on a day of downhilling as there is a good 20 minute walk up each time (this is when we make new friends and discuss our injuries). I believe Metalhead once got 15 runs in). The four cross could be great but it has slate so be really protected and like most of the routes needs a lot of work to maintain. Make sure you have full face and body armour here on all the downhill routes and go with someone who knows it especially as it is unmanned and you don't want to head down the wrong trail. Hurts me to say this but avoid it if wet as it is chalk and not well drained (Hopefully we will see some drainage and new surfacing plans coming from the new folks) . It is just plain dangerous in the wet in my opinion.

They have some facilities and a car park but if you are a spoilt on trail centres then this is a bit more rugged. There is a portaloo and a portable cafe. But that's all you need.  Current opening hours are
Tuesday 9:00 - 5:00
Thursday 9:00 - 5:00
Saturday 9:00 - 5:00
Sunday 9:00 - 5:00

Also riding at Aston hill is now free and the gate is unmanned during these opening times.
This will continue until a new club is formed

There are a lot of unknown about what is the future for Aston Hill....

Site website: http://www.astonhill.com/

This is from the site and explains more. There is a meeting in a few days and I guess this will answer more. So hopefully we will know soon. There is enormous potential and a brilliant reputation to protect.

From the site....

Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area – The Future

Forestry Commission Class Room,

Forestry Commission Chilterns Office, Icknield Way, Wendover

Date 22nd October From 7.30pm

the site in April 2007.

• Aston Hill regulars and those interested in safeguarding and supporting the future of Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area. This is your chance to have a say in the future of this exciting project.

• To bring all involved up to speed on where things stand with Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area and to look at the options regarding the future of Aston Hill.

• To outline the options for the future and select a way forward for Aston Hill deciding which of the options outlined is best for the development of both Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area and its users.

• To identify and engage interested parties in taking of roles within a formal club set up to take over the management and development of Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area.

Interested in registering your interest and attending?

• If you’re interested in coming along to support the future of Aston Hill please let us know by e-mail so we have an idea on numbers attending. 
   

E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd October

T'is near Wendover Woods just by Tring Aylesbury way. Google map below (might embed this more often it is quite sweet)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment Preview