Forest of Dean Ride 1

This is a ride around the Forest of Dean completed after work in a couple of hours. Ride out of Pedalabikeaway centre. Not too much fireroad (no road) and a good mix of climbing and descending on a variety of trails. Lots and lots of options for other routes, including the downhill skills area. Awesome!

• Distance: 12.5 miles
• Type: Off-road
• Area: Wales/South West
• Technical level: Moderate
  

Download the GPX track here

Wanga

This is my Voodoo Wanga build:

Frame: Voodoo Wanga
Forks: Fox 32 F120RLC
Cranks/Rings: Middleburn RS7
Stem/Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Brakes: Hope Mono Mini
Wheels: Mavic 717/Hope ProII
Drivetrain: SRAM X9

GPS Route Planning

I own a Garmin Oregon 300 and have tried a few methods for route planning and track reviewing. The Oregon came with no software for this purpose (which I think is obscene given the cost of the unit and maps).

For this purpose I mostly use the site bikehike.co.uk which is very good and provides both Google and Ordance Survey maps, allowing you to plan routes that use bridleways on an OS map whilst also previewing "satellite" imagery.

This site also integrates with Garmin GPS units really well. It has the ability to download GPXX files (Garmin's extensions to GPX) or transfer the route directly to your GPS unit if you have the Garmin communicator browser plugin installed!

The site does not store your routes for you so you will need to download the route when you have finished editing it and then upload it again should you want to change it.

Check it out!

Fast Reading Biking Route

I went for a quick off-road bike ride around Reading at the weekend with a mate from Bristol. The route was based on one I have done a few times before but tweaked a little. It was not a technical route, mostly well-kept bridleways, but all very rideable that made for a reasonably fast ride.

• Distance: 24 miles
• Type: Off-road
• Area: South West
• Technical level: Easy

Download the GPX track here