Swinley Forest - the Summit bike skills area

[skizzian]

the missus is keen to check it out, session small jumps, table tops and drops
it costs £12 to use as far as I know The Summit - Swinley Bike Hub
but that's about all I know - think you might have to sign up...
has anybody used it? and how recently? (wondering if it's maintained)
I don't think we'd be stumping up for the Coaching Session, she is in between the 2 levels and they don't happen very often
we live basically in the Hurtwood (Holmbury Hill) - so I'm a little hesitant to drive for an hour and shell out if it's not really going to help her.
however she isn't very keen on me teaching her either (I think she has higher testosterone levels than me).
Thanks

 

[cozzy]

Went a few years ago. I thought it was excellent. Really good for gap jump practice as they have a table top right next to the gap. More progressive than rogate.

Sort of place i would perhaps go once a year at the beginning of the season to brush up on skills. Didn't go last year though due to injury.
Im probably going for a gentle ride around swinley this Wednesday as my first ride of the year plus on a new bike, I'll see if its still running.

 

[skizzian]

Went a few years ago. I thought it was excellent. Really good for gap jump practice as they have a table top right next to the gap. More progressive than rogate.

Sort of place i would perhaps go once a year at the beginning of the season to brush up on skills. Didn't go last year though due to injury.
Im probably going for a gentle ride around swinley this Wednesday as my first ride of the year plus on a new bike, I'll see if its still running.

did they have much on the smaller side of jumps?
also what do you mean by 'progressive' ?

they are both about the same distance from us - so I'm going to look at that one as well
although having a table top right next to the gap on the same jump does sound ideal for me!
Thanks for answering

 

[cozzy]

Don't remember as i was only looking at what i wanted to ride.
Rogate is shut now anyway, unsure if it will reopen.

 

[skizzian]

ah ri

Don't remember as i was only looking at what i wanted to ride.
Rogate is shut now anyway, unsure if it will reopen.

ah right, shame, well that settles that...
ooh great - give us a report back if you do
we'll be going the week after most likely

 

[James_C]

Went a few months ago. Its pretty good fun. Nearly all sand so does well in the rain too. there are a string of straight jumps/gaps to practice on and a few more challenging lines. Good for a few hours but you wouldnt spend all day there.

I'd go to the summit and then head to the downhill zone of swinley (babymaker etc)

From what you've said though, I would suggest a trip to twisted oaks, although its hardly close to you.

 

[Ratcliff1893]

Went a few months ago. Its pretty good fun. Nearly all sand so does well in the rain too. there are a string of straight jumps/gaps to practice on and a few more challenging lines. Good for a few hours but you wouldnt spend all day there.

I'd go to the summit and then head to the downhill zone of swinley (babymaker etc)

From what you've said though, I would suggest a trip to twisted oaks, although its hardly close to you.

Agree about twisted oaks well worth a day trip in my opinion.
Not been for sometime as it’s not close but every time I have visited it’s got better, don’t know what they have done to the place now!
It’s pretty amazing venue.

 

[CristianRokitcyclery]

the summit is a great little bikepark, has most stuff from tiny, to small, to medium, to decent size jumps and tables and berms etc. One run has tables on the right side, clear them, then hit the dug out doubles on the left. Great for progression. The coaches, Simon, Brendan and Aiden (former world cup pro) are absolutely amazing guys as well. They also have a big women’s scene to, with regular ride outs into the woods. AS mentioned above, head out to the clubhouse trails and theres loads more.

With my lads, we book the summit in the morning, have lunch and then ride out into the forest. Or vice versa! happy days. You also have the coral reef swimming pool opposite, with “adult sauna world”

 

[skizzian]

the summit is a great little bikepark, has most stuff from tiny, to small, to medium, to decent size jumps and tables and berms etc. One run has tables on the right side, clear them, then hit the dug out doubles on the left. Great for progression. The coaches, Simon, Brendan and Aiden (former world cup pro) are absolutely amazing guys as well. They also have a big women’s scene to, with regular ride outs into the woods. AS mentioned above, head out to the clubhouse trails and theres loads more.

With my lads, we book the summit in the morning, have lunch and then ride out into the forest. Or vice versa! happy days. You also have the coral reef swimming pool opposite, with “adult sauna world”

right that's made my mind up - I'll be booking a morning for next week

and now I know exactly where it is - I took my youngest to Coral Reef 30+ years ago

 

[Dax]

“adult sauna world”

 

[Weeksy]

Was there for the first 2 years. My lad and mates were first to hit the big drop when built. Only Tom Reynolds had hit it before them. There were 12 lol.
They loved it. I also loved it but it may have changed lots in 5 years

However based upon the above, it still sounds great.

 

[skizzian]

so we had a great day - nice guys manning the skills area (Aidan)
was a bit intimidated t.b.h. - so much crammed into the space
stuck to the L/H side
felt it was a bit cramped for 29ers
but sessioned some pretty big jumps and the dual slalom for the allotted time.

the big surprise of the day was the quality of the Red trails in the forest
10-17 were great (although 10 felt like someone was taking the mickey)
really well designed runs - big berms and jumps - and the Blues going back to the car were really nice
will be going back for the Forest for sure