A guided mountain bike ride can be anything you want it to be.

I can make it a massive, big exploration ride showing you some of the finer trails in mother natures playground, or it can be a gentler tour highlighting some of the awe inspiring scenery right on your doorstep.

I will plan the route taking in all your considerations so you can sit back, peddle and enjoy the experience.

Whether you are new to mountain biking, or are an experienced rider looking for new trails away from your home playground, a guided ride is tailored personally for you or your group. You can give me as much information as you like about the type of riding you want to do and I will do the rest, leaving you confident in the knowledge that the chosen route is a perfect match to your fitness and ability.

I am a fully qualified and insured British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader and as your guide my goal is to always ensure that not only are the rides safe, but they are injected with fun, full of energy, and provide a great experience that will leave you wanting more.

Some of my favourite places to ride and explore are in the wild and rugged countrysides of our very own National Parks, from the Peak District to the Lake District, through to Wales and the North York Moors. If you know where to go, the UK can provide you with some of the best locations for all forms of cycling, not just mountain biking.

PEAK DISTRICT

The Peak District National Park is one of the must ride areas for mountain biking in the UK. From rocky bridleways through to fast, flowing singletrack. It’s hard to not find a route a route that isn’t challenging and fun. The valleys and hills of the Peaks really do provide a stunning backdrop to some of the best riding around.

LAKE DISTRICT

The Lake District has it all. From the trail centres of Grizedale, and Whinlatter and some of the epic singletrack and bridleways on offer in the forests, through to the big all day true mountain rides such as Helvellyn and Skiddaw. There is something for everyone. Just be prepared for some hike-a-bike and spectacular views.

WALES

Wales is without doubt one of the most picturesque parts of the UK. With a huge variety of riding from some of the best trail centres around, through to the huge mountains and grassy hills of the valleys. There are plenty of bridleways, and options of flowing trails and fast descents. Simply an epic place to ride.

GREATER MANCHESTER

Not known for its mountain biking but the smaller hills, reservoirs, woodlands and moors around Greater Manchester provide plenty of varied riding suitable for everyone. From the urban bike park at Clayton Vale, to the more technical riding around Rivington and Rochdale. All on the door step of the big city.

I’ve created a database of cycling routes, from planned big rides through to more explorative rides, and it is growing all the time. I believe that the wild and rugged countryside of our National Parks and other open places, provide some the best locations for all forms of cycling, not just mountain biking.

Below are a selection of some of my favourite mountain bike routes. All the distances and elevation profiles are highlighted, and if you click on the image you will be able to download a full version of the highlighted route.

Each of the routes also has a GPX file for you to download, making sure that you won’t get lost. Although I would recommend taking a map as well as some of the areas shown have very limited signal should anything go wrong with your GPS device.

GRIZEDALE BIG FIGURE 8

Starting and finishing at Grizedale Visitor Centre this full days ride in the Lake District involves plenty of climbing, but you are rewarded with lots of technical, flowing, and rocky descents. Be sure to pick a nice a day and the awe inspiring scenery is well worth it. The descent into Nibthwaite is one of the best around. The second half of the ride is much gentler as you head over Claife Heights towards Lake Windermere, and if you want a shorter ride you can always just ride this second half of the route.

HIGH PEAKS BIG TOUR

Prepare yourself for stunning views, tough climbs and gnarly descents. Starting at Fairholmes Visitor Centre you head out on a gentle ride round Ladybower Reservoir before climbing up-to Whinestone Lee Tor. Heading towards Hope and Castleton you negotiate your way down the technical rocky descent of Cavedale, before riding up the broken road of Mam Tor. The view from Hollins Cross is epic, as is the descent to Edale. On the way back see if you can spot when you’re riding on Potato Alley.

ANGLEZARKE AND RIVINGTON

Even without the big hills and epic scenery this area still provides some wonderful varied riding. The terrain isn’t too difficult, but there are a few fairly technical sections which may require extra care. Heading out from Rivington Country Park towards Anglezarke Reservoir the adventurous of you can play around on the man-made trails in Healey Nab, before heading back towards the park for the climb up Rivington Pike. If you pick a good day there are some unexpected great views and awesome riding to be had.

LANGSETT, WINSCAR AND PENISTONE

Not the most popular place to ride in the Peak District, but it provides you with a slightly different riding experience. As you start out at Langsett Reservoir and head out over the moors towards Winscar Reservoir, you have a mixture of some nice single-track and lane riding before dropping onto the Trans Pennine Trail towards picturesque Penistone. From there you drop back down to Langsett on some nice bridleways where you can finish with some loose rocky fun on Midhope Moors.

COED-Y-BRENIN TOUR

What is there to say about Coed-y-Brenin, it is the original trail centre and home to some of the best man-made trails you will ever ride. To this day it is still one of the best trail centres in the country. But it’s not all about the epic way marked trails though, there are some awesome bridleways and single-track away from the hustle and bustle. The forest provides a great mix of terrain from fast flowing single-track through to technical rocky descents. It has it all. You just have to explore it.

STANNAGE ON THE ROCKS

On the east side of the Peak District you have a little bit of everything, this is varied riding at it’s best. Starting at the car park on Long Causeway with a gentle climb taking you along Stannage Edge, you then hit some quiet lanes down to the berm-fest that is Lady Cannings. Don’t spend too long playing around in here as you have more epic riding ahead, especially in Blacka Moor. Devils Elbow is truly a classic descent. On the return home via Burbage Rocks be sure to soak up the impressive scenery.