Yeah, if it’s your local it’s a good way to get on a bike. The area has potential, it just fell short of my expectations (based on how they marketed their trail).

£8 to park there ridiculous

The jumps were the only redeeming feature. Definitely not a red trail, no way. The downhills are also not 2 dot difficulties. Riders from here will get a shock when they actually ride a red trail or downhill trail (in the Forest of Dean for example).

@@bikeandbeyond Absolutely, this was the my first mtb trail experience - luckily I had people tell me to expect way harder at other trail centers. Otherwise I would have had a dangerous amount of overconfidence going on actual reds!

It's fair to say that it wasn't the most inspirational trail ever.

It’s so true. A while back I was like 20 mins into the Red, and I just stopped and went home. 🤣

Yeah you are right. Definitely an XC loop. A great fitness ride, which is fine. I think they just need to change the trail description and grade.

Wow 9th is a good effort! It would be good to see how the trail compares to what you remember it being. I wonder how much it has changed.

Hey man, thanks for the comment. Yeah that is totally fair enough. I think it is great that families and novice riders can enjoy mountain biking. We were all novices once (and I still ride like one half the time 😅). It is genuinely a perfect trail for that (and cross country riders too). My only issue with it is that they just need to change the trail description and downgrade it from a red. Then all is good.

Haha yeah I know what you mean. At one point I thought I may have strayed on to a green trail...nope, it was still the red :)

@@bikeandbeyond 😂😂. Hilarious 👊🏼

Yeah I agree. I think you have given it a fair summary. The area really does have potential. It’s a shame that it isn’t being fully utilised.

Yeah I am in the same school of thought. If you are used to riding this red, then you go and ride a red somewhere else, you will probably come unstuck.

I did exactly that myself today on the red run after not being on a bike for 15+ years had zero issues with any obstacle on a bike I bought with no ride time 😅. It’s 100% not worth the red run status imo

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I will go on a bit of an explore and see what I can find.

Yeah I think you are right. Avoiding the trail centres all together is probably the best option. Next time I head up I might just do that. 👍🏻

@@bikeandbeyond you'd do right 😎👍

A couple of people have recommended Swinley. I need to get over that way

@@bikeandbeyond I really like Swinley. But check out the Croft Trail in Swindon. It was all built by volunteers and maintained by them. Also Badbury Clump which is just outside Swindon.

Yeah it’s a shame

Yeah that’s it. A few more interesting features would make things a bit better but as it is there isn’t really much there.

Hi

😂 I’m not falling for that again

Hey thanks for the commented Yes I think you are right, that is my point really. I have nothing against the trail, family friendly centres or families riding this trail (I am also not saying that you can’t enjoy the trail. it’s a good trail for a casual peddle around) but my point is that it should be a blue grade. Red graded trails by the definition ARE challenging. The grading definition says you need to be competent and have the correct protective kit, therefore red graded trails are not for everybody (that’s why we grade MTB trails in the first place. Too keep inexperienced riders from getting hurt on them). The chances are that you ride this red and think you are a ‘red capable rider’ you are going to go somewhere else and get hurt when you come up against actual red features. (I hope that doesn’t come across as narcy, I definitely don’t mean it to come across that way. It’s difficult to write anything in the comments without it sounding aggressive 😅). It’s never good to hear that someone had been hurt, especially if they need a helicopter ambulance. Unfortunately this is a common occurrence at centres at the moment, people ride trails that are too advanced for them or don’t have the correct protective kit and end up getting hurt. That’s why proper trail grades and signs are important in my view. I ride up there on occasion so may see you there 👍🏻

aren't trail centres graded for what's there as opposed to being a universal grading system , I mean look at bike park Wales the blues there are more like reds in most other places I've ridden , it's not a fool proof system by any means , just means as riders we need to be aware that it's a grading graded at that particular park . great video although you did bash it quite hard I guess everyone is entitled to opinions which is fair

It looks a blue for sure. I guess it's all relative and depends on where you are used to riding.

@@TorrentUK I've ridden all over UK pal. Sherwood pines has a few nasty little bits. I agree it's a easy red mostly but not a blue no

@@scottjameseaton5503 Well I haven't ridden there so I can't talk from a position of knowledge, but there's nothing in the video that suggests it's anything other than a blue - and if you've ridden all over the UK you'll know very well that's the case.

@@TorrentUK I don't agree I've ridden it . A easy red yes a blue don't get rock drops and drop offs on blues normally.

@@scottjameseaton5503 Bike Park Wales - Mythyr Rocks - blue trail rock garden. FlyUp 417 Cheese Roller, blue trail that's considerably more engaging than the red shown in the video. Rogate Bike Park, Bottle Rocket - blue - has gnarly roots at the top as you start descending into the trail, and a small drop (might be two actually) on the lower section. That's just off the top of my head. There's a question whether you can really compare bike parks, to natural forest trails when it comes to red and blues, but the fact remains that the red trail above would be disappointing to most 'red' trail mtb'ers.

I live local to pines and go there most weekends and I know most of the off piste stuff so if you ever went to meet there I can take you round the good bits

I will get there eventually. It’s a bit of a trek from me, so I will end up there next time I go to visit friends.

It’s was a serious snooze fest. After the ‘red’ trail was so poor, I couldn’t bring myself to ride the blue.

@@bikeandbeyond I don't blame you tbh, I went to Ashton court on the weekend and was amazing made this red trail look even worse than what it is

I am riding the one like that there. Plenty of grumpy beer boys behind me.

Yeah, it’s all about getting families in the carpark so they use the cafe, play on Go Ape and spend some money. Not for mountain bikers.

I agree with you there!

@@bikeandbeyond i live near by and i pay £60 for the year. I did the red at Cannock chase last year and it is miles above the red at pines. The blue at pines is just an xc course but its long enough and they have added some berms to the beginning section.