Greatest UK mountain bike routes for driving within the rain and unhealthy climate

When the rain is pouring down it may be laborious to encourage your self to move out for a experience, particularly should you’re making an attempt to keep away from muddy trails and depressing situations. However there are trails that provide the successful mixture of nice driving and comparatively sheltered situations, so you possibly can nonetheless get out for a spin whereas avoiding the worst the climate can throw at you.

The correct equipment may also assist make moist climate extra bearable. Spend money on the finest waterproof jacket yow will discover, and waterproof mountain bike trousers are additionally price their weight in gold when it’s raining laborious. Winter driving boots supply extra safety for the ft, and don’t overlook the mudguards in your bike!

1. Cannock, the Midlands

Distance: 32.3km (21.2 miles)

Except gale pressure winds are in impact, retreating to the woods is a good suggestion. Cannock on the northern fringe of Birmingham not solely has loads of timber to supply shelter however the sandy trails additionally drain fairly nicely, making this a superb place to cover and experience. Greatest identified for its path centre it’s additionally attainable to piece collectively a experience with out relying on path markers. Use our route and blend and match it with different trails to construct a route that fits you and the climate and profit from the path centre’s café for post-ride sizzling candies.

2. Mosedale, North West

Distance: 32.9km (20.4 miles)

Taking shelter from the weather isn’t straightforward within the Lake District, a spot that appears to draw the extremes of climate. This route will preserve you, principally, out of the worst that the Cumbrian climate can throw at you. Preserving to the sides of the Skiddaw massif earlier than slicing by the center of it to Skiddaw Home, you possibly can respect the fells with out over-committing to them. Alongside the way in which you’ll be handled to Whitewater Sprint waterfall which, situations relying, could also be dwelling as much as its identify.

3. Mugdock, Scottish Central Belt

Distance:  27.3km (17.0 miles)

Taking the low highway in Scotland is a good suggestion when issues go from braw to uncooked. If the climate has gone past merely dreich (assume being caught in a low cloud) and it’s blowing a hoolie there are nonetheless loads of choices for driving, no excessive lands required. Beginning simply exterior Glasgow within the well-known Mugdock nation park, this experience will take you from the town to countryside on straightforward to navigate and weather-proof trails — in actual fact this route is a good newbie’s experience, regardless of the climate.

4. Quantocks, South West

Distance: 19.2km (11.9 miles)

The Quantocks have their fair proportion of weather-battered summits and uncovered open heathland however the creases, crevices and combes that make up its topology additionally present safety from no matter could be coming off the Bristol Channel, you simply want to choose the suitable trails. That is one in every of our favorite Quantock routes, partly due to the number of trails and terrain, however be happy to adapt it to supply most cowl from the prevailing wind, rain, sleet, snow…

5. Dorking, South East

Distance: 41.1km (25.5 miles)

Crap situations make it tempting to maintain driving to splash and sprint missions, knocking out a fast experience earlier than calling it quits and heading for house. However when you’re out, soaked by and coated in mud you would possibly as nicely keep out for so long as attainable. This 41km route throughout Surrey could also be longer than you’d assume a bad-weather experience needs to be, however with loads of tree cowl, trails that maintain up nicely within the rain and loads of escape choices you possibly can play out so long as you want.

Wish to enhance your driving abilities? Try our Approach part with skilled recommendation from professional coaches and riders.