Reviews for Hamsterley Forest Mountain Bike Trail Centre

Summary:
Much improved in places

Review:
I do this trail by starting with the second half and finishing with the first half - that is kicking it all off with Section 13 - then hang a right along to the 2nd half of the black route. There's some nice sections there now - including rock table-tops, a lush floaty bombhole jump, a new big wooden berm - then a fairly tasy drop (about 3') which is a decent height and can definately be graded as a black as it can seem fairly big. Then over forest drive and yeah, a boring bit of climbing but there's a new really challenging piece of technical up hill (before you get to the old stone wall). This involves some tight skinnies and then trying to hold a line over some fairly large boulders. I think this kind of thing is what bumps the trail up to a black as it is quite difficult to nail this without sticking a foot down.
I think the added feature of a skinny over the streams/river would make this even more interesting, instead of getting soaked feet when you become stuck in trying to get accross them

Summary:
Totally not a blue!

Review:
Did this today, and after doing the Glentress and Whinlatter blue trails this is nowhere near it. The short section of singletrack at the start is nothing more technical than green at its very best. Followed by the rest of the trail which is just Fire road.
The only redeeming factor in my eyes was the views, but as im used to riding up in Cumbria and Scottish borders it was nothing special.
A very nice route so long as you have no confusion that it is not a blue trail in any sense of the word, great if you are after a green/purple though.

Summary:
Makes a change

Review:
I did the Black trail at Hammers for the first time today. I have always enjoyed red trails more, the likes of Kielder Deadwater and alike. The black trail at Hammers does have it's attractions, such as lung bursting climbs (which I enjoy) and technical rooty downs as well as a couple of fords to keep the route interesting. I've done bits of the route before, always when wet and agree with what others have said regarding the trail grading, I reckon it's more of an advanced red when dry and a black when wet.

Summary:
lots of ups and not enough rewards on the downs

Review:
i live about an hour away so localish for me terrible if its been raining but a good practice trail. As in previous comments if youve been to 7stannes (glentress innerleithen etc) this will be a big let down. However the new section 13 bit of the red route is good fun and i hope that they extend it all the way down to the valley that would make all the difference for me.

Summary:
Newly built section

Review:
Always perferred the black run here, how ever there is a newly built descent on this trail which i tried last week, its about a KM after you reach the summit at the back on the moors. A fast descent back in to the valley with some nice little dropoffs and some very fast corners and jumps. Definitley worth a look.