Rothbury
It's official...
We're spoilt for choice here in the North East of the Country. We live in an area of outstanding natural beauty and have some fantastic Mountain Biking Country right on our door step. With an area to cover that would cost you a small fortune in Ordinance Survey maps (24 of the Pathfinder range - or so I am told) I have to start somewhere - and it may as well be Rothbury.
I have been a great fan of Rothbury & the Simonside Hills for some time now - Since marshalling down-hill Mountain Bike races for the Simonside Snipes almost 20 years ago and then hacking around on a rigid mountain bike that I bought for £50 off a friend and then my cousin opening a Mountain Bike hire shop in Rothbury village (rear of the CO-OP if you need one) only served to fuel my interest and I have been hooked ever since.
The area has so much to offer from a quick Sunday am blast to a full day out that will leave you in no doubt that you've had a work out.
If you're feeling fit - park up at the riverside car park and ride up towards Tosson Tower past the farm (it's a killer) and into the Picnic Area on the right hand side, or take the cowards way out and drive like I do.
Either way leave the picnic area car park via the fire road which is at 2 O'clock as you enter the car park, (There will most likely be a gate across the track but this is for cars and it's ok to ride around) and continuing climbing past the mast (keep left) and onto the view point.
Here you will be treated to some truly breathtaking views - with the Craggs to your left and the Cheviot Hills off in the distance to your right it really is worth taking the time to enjoy it (and get your breath back) and you can make your mind up over which route to take from here.
You've got at least 4 options which in turn give you additional choices to make as the routes progress but for now we'll concentrate on a basic ride which will take no more than 1-1.5 hours but offer you some good technical and some fast down-hill sections without killing you. The perfect Sunday am blast.
From the view point, ride on up the hill and bear to your right at the junction keeping the trees on your left and ride on until the track turns rocky and a route will open up on you right hand side. This is the start of your descent. The first section is very rocky and the opportunity to smash your head in is very real (so for Gods sake wear a helmet) but carry a little bit of speed and you should be ok.
The route is easy to follow and you can't go wrong for quite a distance. Once the track levels out it gets wider and starts to rise slightly - at this point you need to bear to your left at the marker post and follow the visible path. You'll know you're in the right path because the track will be muddy as hell. In the Summer it's muddy but in Winter it's bloody awful. I've seen me ride through that with my bike sunk up to the hubs but there is no way around it so just keep your mouth closed and go for it.
Another technical rocky section follows and then a short but fast section through the trees (look out for stumps) which brings you back onto an easy forest track (turn right) which climbs back up for a few hundred yards, keep left at the junction and keep riding until you pass the mast which would have been on your right on the way out.
Again, turn left and head down hill until just after the left hander when you have the option to turn right and drop down to the small timber bridge in the distance - a pull on the bars is all it takes to get over it and then bearing left will treat you to a fast and sweeping section which is great fun and well worth the detour.
Once you emerge the forest, head left up the tarmac road and the entrance to the picnic area is only 100yds on your left.
