Hopton Woods: Not all trail centres are created equal

Hopton Woods: Not all trail centres are created equal
Hopton Woods in Shropshire is well known throughout the MTB community. Even if you haven't been there, chances are you will have heard of it, especially if you have followed Downhill racing over the years, as it was (and still is) a venue used by the Pearce Cycles and the Midlands DH Series.
It also has a purpose built red graded XC loop, lovingly built by Pearce Cycles. This is not like your average trail centre loop though; it's a lot more natural. You can also detour onto the DH tracks or, if you want, just ride the three DH tracks instead.
What I am basically saying is that Hopton Woods is bloody great. I'd been once before, 18 months earlier, and was keen to get back.

[@yourmtblocal]

Definitely the best Hopton video I've ever watched!👌 They did the same with Swinley trails back pre 2011 the trails were natural and you had to find them yourself then they way marked and made all flowey with hard pack sand now shot to shit and just too bumpy to the point I hardly ever ride them just the down hill trails and of peast.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate, that's really great of you to say. I was riding Swinley around then too (used to work in Camberley so would go before or after work) and yeah, the trails were a lot more interesting back then. I've not been since they sanitised it but have mates who have, and they were disappointed. It was never the best place ever but there was enough stuff around to keep it interesting. Am I right in thinking that they have got rid of the jump gulley? If so, that's criminal.

[@yourmtblocal]

@@Stopadoodledoo Yep jump gulley went about 2012ish. I think the reason was the ambulance service had enough of going into the forest to scoop people up so they started what is now summit Swinley training and coaching area near the carpark. Then just left it unfinished for years. Antil last year when they build summit Swinley and put a fence round it with lockable bars across the trails so you can't just jump the fence and have a quick go. I've never ridden it cause you can't just bust them a tenner and ride for the day you have to become a member and commit to monthly payments coming out which I disagree with.

[@leerowe7599]

Some great riding in Hopton Woods, last time I rode there I was on a rigid steel on the way down to the Bearbones WRT event and accidently ended up on the DH trails 😂was a real rough affair. Great vid

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Yeah, it’s ace there, quite surprised it isn’t more popular. I bet the DH tracks on a rigid was ‘fun’ 😂

[@ElectricCrotchRocket]

Just over 2 hours for me... gotta say I’m tempted! Looks orate 🤟 🐷

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Definitely worth the journey mate, it’s such a great place 👍😀

[@davidweaver516]

Hmmm Hopton woods ehhh...loving the look of that place..your vids make me wanna just get back out...cheers fella keep em coming

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Go, you won’t be disappointed as it’s all great there. It’s in the middle of nowhere but that adds to the charm; just do a poo before you leave as there’s no bogs 👍

[@davidweaver516]

@@Stopadoodledoo ha ha I got a collapsible shovel 🤪

[@HUSHHUSH-]

To be honest them woods look pretty nice and like you said it is great to keep it different 💪🤘

[@Stopadoodledoo]

You would love it there Mitko, the DH tracks are proper good and there’s a ton of huge jumps that you’ll have a go at but I wouldn’t dare 👍😀. I reckon you would prefer it to Eastridge by a long shot

[@HUSHHUSH-]

Stopadoodledoo So want to go and see it now . Definitely in the list 🤘🔥

[@davesbikelife]

Nice rides mate yeah you're right about the weather and the people being out so many people out but it's all good everyone getting a bit of exercise good video 👍👌✌️

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers Dave. The Lakes is always busy but at the moment it's absolutely ridiculous, with higher visitor numbers than ever before. Unless you go early then you can't get parked, and the trails are rammed with couch potatoes, looking for somewhere to dump their litter and have a shit. Can't wait until life is back to normal and they piss off back to the shopping centres 👍

[@davesbikelife]

@@Stopadoodledoo yeah very good point mate that's pretty much what I see 🤔😂👍

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

The main XC loop reminds me of Cannock/sherwood pines a bit. Didn't appear to have much elevation in it. The down hill bits looked quite rideable on a trail bike. The usual good stuff. I did a piece to camera for my last vid from Wales talking about how important it was to make a donation at the honesty box as it's a community run thing. Sounded honourable but my face looked like I'd had a stroke so it was pulled 😂

[@Stopadoodledoo]

There's a fair bit of elevation there mate, not been to Cannock or Sherwood but I believe it's a fair few levels up from those places, their elevation and the trails there. The DH tracks are doable on a trail bike, hardtail too; they are pretty rough but there's always ways round stuff people don't fancy tackling. 👍

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

@@Stopadoodledoo I can imagine that, Cannock and sherwood are OK but pretty uninspiring. This place looks better no doubt.

[@theraveofdave6435]

Great review of the place! Will be trying it soon!

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate. You'll love it there, it's bloody fantastic 👍

[@5492sparky]

Love Hopton! Great riding Mate. 👍

[@Stopadoodledoo]

It would be hard to dislike Hopton, it’s got something for everyone. I’m guessing it’s not too far for you to get to as I got a bit lost on the way there and went into Herefordshire 😀

[@5492sparky]

@@Stopadoodledoo 😀 Yeah, only about 50 mins for me Mate. Need to get there a bit more often because of the workout it gives!

[@trailmaster]

Nice trail condition. I miss dry trails already, always raining in here.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Think I picked the right weekend for Hopton as this weekend just gone, it rained a ton down there. Did in the Lakes too (where I headed) but it’s to be expected up there 😀

[@CraftyBadgder]

I went here a couple of months ago. I did the xc track. I wasn’t as fit as I thought and it made me cry.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Yeah, there's some fair old climbs on it but you are repaid with some fantastic descents. First time I went, I strayed on to one of the DH tracks by accident and thought it was the most incredible XC loop ever 😂

[@CraftyBadgder]

@@Stopadoodledoo 😂 I also ended up on a bit of the DH, I’ve only got 100mm travel but it was fun.

[@richdemers]

This is like 40mins from me, I've got to try these trails out soon 👍🏻

[@Stopadoodledoo]

You really should mate, Hopton is up there with my favourite places to ride 👍

[@joekeets4989]

Gd place this right next to my house recommend to go if ur a new biker 🤙🏽

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Bloody fantastic place mate, you’re lucky to live so close (about 2 hours drive each way for me) 👍

[@ElectricMountainBiker]

Your comment about the road signs proper cracked me up 🤣🤣 Looks a good place there, you even got some air time as well you stunt man! It does make a trail centre so much more interesting when they leave it more natural! Plenty of trees there to stick it in bark like you said lol!!

[@Stopadoodledoo]

We need to take a trip down there soon. I know it’s a fair way for you but it’s worth it 👍

[@ElectricMountainBiker]

@@Stopadoodledoo so many places to go! Looks worth it though

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Like Eastridge? You’ll love Hopton 😀👍

[@ElectricMountainBiker]

@@Stopadoodledoo it really did look like Eastridge at times as you said in video 👍🏼

[@jamesbailey5083]

Great video, come and try the Wrekin/ Ercall

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks James. I have been to The Wrekin, last year, and loved it. I do plan to get back there soon, hopefully before the weather goes to shit, as I imagine it's a bit 'interesting' when sodden wet through! 👍

[@kevjones7440]

Interesting that you weren’t keen on the Marin trail?! Did you do a video there? Genuinely think it’s probably one of the best trails in North Wales (trail centre that is)!

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Hi Kev. It's not that I'm not keen because as trail centres go, it's a really good one. It's more that the first time I went, I thought it was fantastic and then expectations were high for the next visit but probably because I'd done a lot of riding in the Lakes before it, it just didn't live up to the expectations. I'm not really a fan of trail centres but I will conceded that I do like it there.

[@kevjones7440]

Stopadoodledoo completely get your point! I think it depends on the weather when you’re there too, was there 2 weeks ago and it was very wet and it’s the best ride I’ve had for a while. I need to get up to the lakes for some riding at some point too!

[@HallMarc_Trails]

Loved this video, there’s something about hopton, it’s not that great but it’s consistently enjoyable, I need to go back and have another go on that cliff drop with working brakes 😂 I think Shropshire has it all, quality mate 👍🏻

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I do reckon it is that great, as it has a really good mix of trails; love the DH tracks there and the XC loop has enough flow, roots, etc. to keep it interesting. That drop is nowt mate, you’d easily do it and wonder why the called it a cliff 👍😀

[@HallMarc_Trails]

Stopadoodledoo perhaps someone called cliff built it 😂

[@MyBonio]

Hopton is da Bollock love the line choice edit bit when racing you have to get to the left of the tree for better exit speed. With cliff drop what is worse it the stunt ramp after at race pace ahaah We know you a DH rider at hart xxxx ski

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I love it there Alvar, absolutely cracking place that I really should go to more. As for a DH rider, I guess all of us old Stopadoodledoo lot are at heart, even though none of us will (I imagine) ever race again, and all of us except Jonnyboy were crap at it 😂