07 May
2007 - New trailbuilding pics & 'Rendezvous' video at Haldonfreeride.org
The guys from Haldonfreeride.org have been working hard recently to repair the damage caused by the winter storms. In addition to putting in a new entry to the bottom section of the Red Run (the swooping bermed section of the trail), they have also replaced the shredded northshore in the same section with a rock causeway (see below for photos).
This should prove to be a lot more durable and less prone to weather damage. Pics of these two new developments can be seen below, along with some shots of the new walk-out route from the bottom of the freeride area being cleared.
New Log Ride?
Word has it that one of the trees which blew down and trashed the northshore may be being converted into a log-ride option for this section of the trail. This has yet to be confirmed, but would be a nice line up through the roots of the fallen tree and along its 40(?) foot long trunk... (see below for pics)
'Rendezvous' Video
Haldonfreeride have also just published a superb video of their trip to Les Arcs last Summer entitled 'Rendezvous'. It features footage of the guys riding endless trails and a great soundtrack.
If you can spare the time on a Sunday morning, the trailbuilding team up at Haldon would appreciate all the help they can get to repair the damage caused by the recent storms. Click the button above for details of how you can help the team out. Thanks!
21 March
2007 - Haldon Aid & Fools Day Bash
It sounds like the Haldon Aid event was a great success and that the trails are on the mend thanks to everyone's help! - See the Haldon Freeride site for more.
Also check out their site for details of the forthcoming Fools Day Bash due to take place on 1 April (funnily enough!) - Don't miss it!!!!
30
Jan 2007 - Haldon Trail Damage
The recent high winds have felled a number of trees and damage sections of Northshore. Forestry Commission staff and the guys from Haldon Freeride have been carrying out clearance work. Word is that they are also planning a 'Haldon Aid' weekend so people can pitch in and help with repairs in return for some food, and of course the trails back to rideable standard!
Check out the Haldon Freeride site for details of the storm damage and any news they decide to publish about the 'Haldon Aid' weekend.
08 May
2006 - Help at Haldon - More Barbecues for Trail Builders Planned!
There are plans for loads more trail developments at Haldon (more Black run features, shore sections and general XC developments too) and the guys building up there need as much help as possible if the routes are going to move along quickly. So if you have a Sunday morning free and can chuck a shovel around get yourself down to the woods and help out!
This Sunday there were about 8 of us up there, which when you consider how many of you probably ride up there regularly isn't really that many (the XC'ers among us are certainly thin on the ground...), but luckily enough there were enough of us to eat the sausages, beefburgers and other BBQ stuff laid on by Tim from the Forestry Commission :o) (Thanks Tim)
So if you fancy being in on the next barbecue and getting out in the sun for a few hours, get down to the Freeride area clearing at 10am on Sunday and pitch in - There's plenty of riding to do as well (well someone has got to test the new trails first!).
See you there!
20 Apr
2006 - Black run and freeride
maps at Haldonfreeride.org
Haldonfreeride have posted
some great maps of the 'Black' run and the freeride areas
to give you an idea what to expect when you head up there.
Many trails up at Haldon
currently closed for safety checks - Many of the newly
developed trails are currently closed for safety checks ahead
of the opening festival on Sunday 15 April. Please respect
the signs.
New
trailbuilding pics at Haldon Freeride - The guys over
at Haldon Freeride have now split their gallery up into different
sections so you can see the latest shots of each of the separate
developments at Haldon.
22
Jan 2006 - New photos of trailbuilding work available
Some new photos of the Haldon
developments have been posted at The Extreme Photography Gallery.
They show a log ride, see saw and some new sections of Northshore
being built and were taken on 8 Jan 2006.
19
Jan 2006 - Haldon development project diary and maps
available
The Haldon Forest Park website
has published a map showing details of the planned MTB trails,
including the 'Red' and 'Black' XC runs and
the Freeride area. The map also shows the 'Family'
and 'Adventure' cycling trails. The
map can be found here.
There is also now a project
diary available which covers all aspects of the developments
up at Haldon Forest Park. That
can be found here.
9
Jan 2006 - Sandland & Co Tour Freeride gathering
- 26 Feb 2006
Balfa.co.uk
team freerider Elbry Sandland has started the Sandland
& Co. Tour, a gathering of riders at loads of the
UK's top freeride spots. First stop will be Haldon
on the Last Sunday in Feb (26th).
The idea is to get all the
local freeriders and to meet up and have a blast for the day,
and in doing so help promote each spot by getting more riders
to be part of the local freeride movement in each area.
Haldon kicks things off on
the last sunday in Feb, Simply turn up and have a good session
with like minded local and not so local riders.
23
Nov - Apparently there will be a family oriented
trail and a 10km CX circuit incorporating some northshore
and a few more challenging bits. The range of trails will
be graded in a ski resort type system with blues, reds, blacks
and probably more... According to the Sport
England website the development will be:
"training circuit
for cycling, a wider network of off-road bike trail for different
abilities, a network of walking trails (with calorie mapping
and motivational signage), a children's play trail and health
walks circuit"
They are also building a
freeride area... I took this picture one from the edge of
one of the drop-offs on Saturday morning. It should whet your
appetite if you're into throwing yourself off stuff like this!
NB - If you are planning
to go along and help out, please contact Tim Powles by email
or on 01392 834207 to let him know how many of you
to expect. That way he can arrange for there to be something
for you to do when you get there. Thanks.
The guys building the trails
up at Haldon are always looking for volunteers to chuck a
shovel around for a few hours on a Sunday morning. So if you
fancy lending a hand in helping create what promises to be
some superb facilities for everyone to use (and maybe getting
the chance to ride it before anyone else...) here's how to
go about it:
When?
Most Sundays, 11am
start
Directions:
From the A38 go towards Haldon Belvedere,
about half a mile from the A38 there is a pull in on
both sides of the road.
By Bike: Ride down parallel to
the quarry following the obvious route down, and bingo
you should see some bikes/people/4x4s etc...
By Car: Drive down the fire road
indicated by the red arrow and follow it round until
you see other cars and bikes.
