Return to Thetford Forest Mountain Bike Trails

After a 7 year hiatus, I am back in the area and can't resist re-riding these mountain bike trails. I decide to ride the red Lime Burner trail and a couple of the black sections. Will they live up to the hype in my memories and what changes will they have made?
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[@thomashutchinson1]

I totally agree that trails need to be accurately graded. Going somewhere and being pleasantly surprised by a few sections is a lot better than coming away disappointed.

[@bikeandbeyond]

It’s a shame really. They obviously know how to build trails. They just need to invest some time and money in to improving things.

[@andywright1634]

You hit the nail on the head. It's my local. Perfect for beginners. Not much that is anything other than easy. A few bits you can do fast to make it mildly entertaining - otherwise it's just a workout. As you probably know, there used to be some little jumps and things here and there [non official], but anything like that gets flattened quickly. The powers at be just want to keep it basic for families and not worry about injuries due to the type of riders who go there [years ago I remember the air ambulance used to turn up every other sunday]. So they are happy keeping it "boring".

[@bikeandbeyond]

Thanks Andy. Yeah I have heard that the unofficial stuff doesn’t last long around there. Unfortunately a lot lot of trail centres seem to be going for the ‘easier’ trail options at the moment. It’s all well and good making trails for families (it genuinely is), but the trail grades need to match the difficulty. Shame really, but like you said, good for fitness.

[@JoeAQuinn]

I feel the same having just gone back there to ride after a long while, however I found it nice to see how far I’d come given how easy I found the features that were once challenging. I will always remember the feeling of doing my first ‘black’ at thetford (glad I didn’t watch this right after I did them 😂) so it will always hold a special place in my heart despite not being from the area. Good video as always👍

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yes mate I feel the same. I think my first ‘black section’ was probably Thetford too. The trails may be easy, but I feel like it was a good starting block.

[@forzaski]

Agree with this completely, took a mate here for their first ever mtb and even they got bored of the trails

[@bikeandbeyond]

Unfortunately the trails are way behind other trail centres. Needs some work doing to it.

[@Sub_Zer090]

I actually started riding there as well back in 2011, I had a Trek 3 series back then. I have so many fun memories of that place, I'd love to go back to the UK and ride there again

[@craigellard4991]

Couldn't agree more with this analysis of thetford trails

[@stephenwoodrow1334]

Another great video fella. I ride this trail a lot as I'm Norfolk based and use it to get myself pedal fit due to the amount of peddling it requires. I agree about the grading and that the red is really a blue (ish) but given the flatness of the Brecks there isn't really a massive amount they can do. Sadly, I can only manage Wales or The Lakes once a month due to the distance from home. However, next time you ride 'the beast' the middle run is the best not the bottom trail. Once again, great video and keep the content coming :)

[@bikeandbeyond]

Thanks Stephen, glad you like the video. I always feel bad saying unflattering things about trail centres. Especially ones that have brought me so much fun in the past. I know what you mean, traveling to ride is definitely getting getting expensive and it’s hard to find the time to keep traveling long distances. Glad you are liking the channel. Thanks for watching man 👍🏻

[@haba_15]

Thanks, great video and useful barometer on the overall grades at Thetford

[@Schwimano]

Such a shame. It seems to be happening to lots of trails centers at the moment. Even Cannock Chase are dumbing everything down.

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yeah it is a shame. I think a few places need a re-grade of their trails.

[@crayzeewhorse]

I agree man, this is a great, true honest review. I used to be heavily into mtb'in in the early to late 90s when i was young, recently got back into it (last) year, I brought an bike and went up there, I done the blue trail a couple of times 1st as sometimes, we aren't as good or confident as we once used to be and I have to say that was basically just a bumpy ride, so decided on the red route on the 3rd visit, thinking this might be a bit too early... well.... should have just gone to the red straight off the bat. I think they need to do something there, the only "hard" bits are the bombholes really. Think next year I might take a trip to Wales and see what a real red route is about! ** oh and I'm sure there's another thing that changed apart from the sign THE PRICE OF PARKING 😅**

[@bikeandbeyond]

Don’t get me started on the price of parking! 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[@exchangepirate]

Must be ideal for novice riders like myself. Must go there sometime. I've recently purchased a bizango pro.

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yeah a good trail for novice mountain bikers. Just needs a bit of a re-grade is all. CONGRATS ON YOUR PRO! Hope you are enjoying yours as much as I am mine.

[@exchangepirate]

Yes enjoying the pro I'm impressed with the forks and the brakes. Never had a decent bike before.

[@phatwayne]

Good to see you back in my neck of the woods :)

[@bikeandbeyond]

Thanks, It was fun to be back.

[@unknownxd8420]

you may not be able to see how steep the ups and downs on the beast are but I remember riding it as a kid and they felt like mountains

[@Nickwal1986]

I totally get what your saying, my local trail is bedgebury and although there is some more interesting features that what you've just shown they are not what you would say a red is,

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yeah it’s a real shame. Some trails just need a bit of modernising.

[@Nickwal1986]

@@bikeandbeyond yes that's it, I think they try and aim them at family's, if your ever down in Kent you should try bedgebury

[@user-zk9wv4mt8j]

You should go back as they have now upgraded and made lot changes

[@Mel1175]

Hi a new subscriber . After seeing your video on this I feel exactly like that with Sherwood pines . And I’ll always have a love for it because was my first bike park trail . Cheers 🍻

[@bikeandbeyond]

Hi Welcome to the channel. Yeah Sherwood pines is another trail centre that has bee left behind the times. They have recently made some improvements to the start of the blue trail, but the red is a disappointment.

[@Mel1175]

@@bikeandbeyond morning thank you. And yes I went there a week after new blue was opened was a lot better but think could still be better but it’s bike park not to far away. Cheers 🍻

[@deejayy2k]

i remember (probably about 20 years now) there being 2 trails on the beast section that crossed over close to the bottom near the fire road, one would lead to a pretty decent jump.

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yeah there are a couple of trails down that area. From what I remember there is also another bigger pit. A few of the black sections used to have small jumps out, but from what I saw, all the lips were now flattened off. There must be something worth riding in those woods still 😂

[@andywright1634]

@@bikeandbeyond You rode the best bits pretty much. That's it.

[@nread1135]

It’s never really improved. The unofficial Brandon side of the woods had some actually decent jump lines and single track hidden away. Until they flattened them all and tore everything up just to bring it back to the same boredom as thetford. Thetford seems to have a way of making flat trails seem even worse than they should be. Go to phoenix bike park or twisted oaks instead. The only way you can make thetford fun is by tackling it on a gravel bike at night in the winter.

[@jaftrips]

very nice video

[@MrLense]

Considering getting into the sport and this is only 1 hour away from me. Sounds like a good place to start tbh

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yes I agree 100%. Like I said in the video, it’s a great place to start riding, for fitness or for families. The point of the video is that Thetford shouldn’t be graded as a red trail. It is a blue at the most. If new people to the sport learn on this trail they will eventually ride a red trail somewhere other than Thetford, where they will quickly realise the kind of challenges red trails actually have on them. They could end up riding way above their skill level (or that of their bike and kit) and getting badly hurt.

[@MrLense]

@@bikeandbeyond Noted thanks for the response!

[@guylipscombe2112]

Fantastic video as always!

[@bikeandbeyond]

Thanks guy. Glad you enjoyed it

[@eob5056]

Whoever is in charge of designing Thetford trails doesn't ride a bike. That's all I can assume after several years of living within 10 miles of it, but riding Wales whenever possible. I have seen loads of ways to make some parts interesting but they seem to want to position berms where speed is required but you have none, or flat sections which intersect flowing potential downhill sections that they leave to woodland. Its a total dull pedal fest. But its the only forest trails within an hours drive.

[@willowpilates3744]

Are there any other good trails in this area? With jumps?

[@TomFretwell-di2kt]

Depending on where exactly you live woburn has some great free techy trails that are much more accurately 'red' graded. And there's an optional paid section with a jump track

[@slowfi9652]

I ride these on a break less BMX. Keeps it fun 😂

[@junglist_matty]

Thetford is what it is.... A mostly flat forest which is great for a bit of off-road fitness riding which is far more interesting than bridleways / fire roads.

[@thesea4120]

would you say a gravel bike would be able to go on the trails in thetford?

[@bikeandbeyond]

I have never ridden a gravel bike so I am not entirely sure. It might be a bit bumpy in places, as there are a couple of minor rock gardens (most of which can be bypasses), but you would be ok for 95% of the trail.

[@pumbachow]

Yep, I rode the lime burner on gravel bike and had a blast.

[@Newbfishhobby]

In my opinion, it is bad how these are listed as red, honestly I wouldn't even say they were blue, more like kermit at BPW.. The problem is people will ride this thinking they can handle reds and end up getting themselves into trouble at another trail centre or bike park where there reds are actually reds. All in all, if you enjoy riding bike parks and good long trails, I wouldn't waste time going to thetford.

[@bikeandbeyond]

I think you hit the nail on the head there.👍🏻

[@xxxmtb]

Thetford is and always has been an XC venue, its boring as hell if you're cruising around, its great for beginners though. I agree they need to remove all classifcations, there isnt anything beyond a blue if it really needs to be classified. I ride there regularly and speed makes it fun, you need to be fit though. I usually average 30mins for the red loop, 16+ mph, my best was 17.5mph in 28mins, i love it for what it is. Too many people shit on thetford but are riding the wrong bike, its so flowy if you have fitness, and the trails on BCP side are all natural.

[@calvincrane]

All the overhype (Shockwave) and marketing is having an effect on a generation of kids. They no longer believe ANYTHING- maybe good. But sad that those in certain positions feel the need to over hype.

[@bikeandbeyond]

Yes I agree. I think these sections should be more appropriately named. Things like buttercup, tiddlywink and mother goose would be a good fit 😂