Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club is launching a new trail build programme this December after a long post-pandemic break. Following several years of negotiation, the club has agreed a new partnership with Forestry England to maintain existing trails and develop new features across the forest.
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The programme begins with a Trail Build Crew Introduction Morning on Saturday 13 December at 10am. The session starts with a ride in the forest before heading back to the club training area for a trail-building briefing and hot snacks. Riders should meet at 10am next to the Forestry England building by the car park, where the old bike wash once stood.
Before 2020, the club designed and built several well-known sections at Bedgebury including Wanda’s, Thirsty Turkey, The Cake Run, Prevaricator’s Pass, Not So Pointless, Holby and Deerstalker. The new programme aims to build on that legacy with direct input from local riders.
What riders say needs improving
The iBikeRide UK MTB Trail Index is our directory of mountain bike venues across the country, which includes Bedgebury Forest. Each year we track the comparative rank of UK trails and capture review sentiment to aid trail organisations in planning trail development and riders planning their next visit. Looking at these recent iBikeRide reviews point to clear opportunities for development:
- Riders would like more advanced and technical features, including jumps and sections with stronger progression beyond the current red route.
- Some feedback notes flow issues, including loose gravel on berms and downhill sections that feel “sketchy” at speed.
- There is repeated interest in a skills area or pump track, giving riders a dedicated space to build confidence.
- A few reviews say the red and black grades feel softer than at comparable venues, suggesting scope to refresh difficulty levels.
- Parking costs and the absence of the on-site bike shop were also mentioned.
- Overall, riders indicate that focused work on progression features, berm surfacing, trail flow and a refreshed skills offer would deliver the biggest improvements.
You can find the current Bedgebury listing, map, and rider reviews here: Bedgebury Forest – Mountain Bike Trails.
Get involved
The club is inviting new Trail Pixies to help shape what comes next. If you’re interested in joining the trail build crew, you can get in touch via the contact form on the Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club site:
https://www.boarsonbikes.co.uk/contact/
You can also follow updates and connect with the Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club community via their Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/329636242315/
If you want to see a “Bedgebury 2.0” take shape, this is your chance to help build it.
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