Puddletown Forest
Single Track City
Where
Puddletown Forest is a just east of Dorchester,
if you come in off the west bound lane of the A35 and follow the signs, park
in the first car park on the right at the top of the hill.
Ride out the
end of the car park, follow the track up hill along side the A35 west to the
top of the hill. You should see a track going off to your left, follow your
nose as it's mostly single track from here on in.
Insider News - by Martin a Pudletown regular
There isn't as much to ride as usual at the moment, as the Forestry Commision has been
tree feelling, inconsiderate, so the north shore trails and most of
the longer courses have at least one section missing/irridable.
We (The locals of Puddletown) are currently trying to get these trails improved and
reopened and also get some bigger launches and drops together. The dual
track is the place of most activity at the moment with many new lines and
doubles being added fairly frequently, the place seems to changes every time
i venture down that end of the forest.
Winters coming- time to get the shovel out and get my ass in gear for next
year!!! happy riding. I'll email you as things start happening!
Martin 07-09-04
Warning To All Riders!
Puddletown is private property and is Land managed by Forest Enterprise. If you want to avoid the risk of prosecution and jeapodising other trail projects in the area. We have a new area to ride on privately owned land, with full rights for mountain bikers and full permision to develop trails more... please contact us for more info.
The Ride
The woods is alive with single track, tight and technical, it’s got the properly the most fun trails per square meter anywhere in the area. There's not much in the way of jumps, but loads of steep tight technical runs through the trees, very twisty with roots and the odd stump thrown in to catch you when your consentration slips.
The forest is criss-crossed with trails, if you can't find any single
track, just ride the fire road, you will find it. Be aware though it's not
all legal trails, you choice. There is also a duel track that's a lot of fun situated at the other end
of the wood, it's not exactly 4x but loads of fun all the same.
We've not been for a few months and here there's been a lot of felling
destroying much of the best single-track. It's a shame, but if it wasn't for
the forestry work then the forest would probably be a housing estate.
I've also heard stories and seen evidence of
maniac walkers at large, after all they do own every where we ride, and have
every right to hit riders with sticks. They are also dedicated enough to
spend hours destroying trails.
It always amuses me that a normal, middle aged, well to do person, can
become a blaspheming dervish just because a mountain biker has the audacity
to ride on the same day and at the same location. This obviously gives him
the right to use abusive language and violence towards the offender.
Puddletown has it's far share of OAP's (Old Arrogant Pensioners).
We're a local shop for local people
If you do pop down this way call in and see us in Blandford, on Salisbury
Street. Were the only bike shop in town.
24/12/02
