Slad

Slad mountain biking route

This route goes from Slad the setting for Cider with Rosie sharing much of the same trails as the Bisley ride. Although this route is approximately half the length.

If you are not a big fan of climbing then this isn't the ride for you. With the exception of a little flat road, the route is either descending or climbing. The descents are worth the climb topping and tailing the ride. The route intersects both the Bisley and Sapperton routes, either can be used to extend the ride should it take your fancy.

The route varies from gravel double track ascents and descents through wooded singletrack. There is the inevitable road sections as is so often required on these routes to link the best trails.

 The climbs aren't too trying with most of the climbing over in the first half of the ride. Although they are fairly steep and longish they aren't technical so legs are saved for the fun descents.

 The descents start of with a fast rocky gravel track before moving onto single track in some woods. There are more rocky descents as well as single track all of them stack up pretty well for natural trails. 

The final descent that takes us back into Slad is a memorable one, not least for the fact that the bottom section is never dry not even in the height of summer. It is relatively short only a minute or so depending on how fast you're prepared to ride it. It's not technical fairly smooth and flowing all the way down the the last 100m or so which is a bit rougher and always wet. 

This is one of the more challenging route in the area and the views form the pub having a well deserved rest afterwards make the effort even more worth it.

Slad Mountain Bike Route

Distance	20km
Time	1.5-2.5hrs
Climbing	700m
Starting location	Slad
Pubs, cafes	The Woolpack
Parking	On road
Route	View route on Strava
Photos	View Photos on Flickr
Videos	View Videos on YouTube