Checking out Macc. Forest.

Dani bought a new bike last weekend;

Dani's new Genesis 29er.

Obviously we needed to go out and test it, and today was the first opportunity to do so. Macclesfield Forest is quite close to where we live and is as yet unexplored country to us as far as mountain biking is concerned although we have walked there a couple of times.

We wanted a short ride, I'm frankly out of condition (this is the first mtb ride of the year for me!) and tired from working too much and Dani is competing in Ely Half Ironman on Sunday and didn't want to risk injury, so a short loop seemed suitable.
With chains lubed, Camelbacks filled, bikes and rack strapped to the Landy we soon found ourselves in a carpark on the edge of the forest (we're too tight to pay to park in the main carpark). Another time might see us riding there rather than driving.

We rode anti-clockwise. A short tarmac section led us to Charity Lane, signposted as 'Forest Bridleway' although I'm certain that its a Byway or UCR, and a steep loose climb that had us both puffing and pushing on the steepest section. Once at the top of the climb we were able to enjoy fine views over Cheshire and Derbyshire;

Dani climbing Charity Lane, the Cat & Fiddle can just be seen on the horizon far left.

 This was the best part of the ride, most of the rest of it is made up of fire roads and tarmac. Some of the fire road climbs are pretty hard going, at least for someone who's rather unfit and riding a totally unsuitable bike*.

Here's a couple more views of Dani riding;

Again the Cat & Fiddle can be seen on the horizon, this time in the centre.

Near the end.

It took us one hour ten minutes to ride the 6(?) mile loop, slow going perhaps but we were taking it very easy. I think that we'll return at some stage, perhaps riding clockwise. It would be interesting to find out if there's any other routes in the forest, I did see some tyre marks heading into the trees but didn't investigate.

I enjoy forest riding, when I lived in Bedfordshire I used to frequent Rowney Warren (a short ride from my home at the time) and spend a few hours hammering around the XC course on my Inbred (one of the first batch, s/s and rigid) and seeking out singletrack, something I miss since moving up North despite the fact that the Peaks is a first class biking venue.

Paul.

*I mostly ride a cheap,heavy, rigid forked singlespeed 29er hardtail with rubbish cable disc brakes.