Gear up for the ultimate riding adventure: Forestry England unveils Forest 450 challenge
Are you eager to enhance your cycling prowess while exploring the stunning landscapes of the nation's forests? Look no further than Forestry England's Forest 450 Challenge, where mountain bikers and cyclists are invited to ride the equivalent 450-mile distance from the awe-inspiring Kielder Forest in Northumberland to the breathtaking Cardinham Woods in Cornwall.
The golden rule of this challenge? Cover the entire 450 miles exclusively on Forestry England’s cycle trails. This encourages riders to get off the beaten track, enjoy nature and improve their cycling fitness along the way!
Riders have until the end of October to clock in a total of 450 miles in any way they choose. Whether it's conquering a few off-road miles daily or embarking on epic long rides, participants can tailor the challenge to suit their preferences. Explore much-loved local forest trails or venture further afield to uncover new and exhilarating routes.
But wait, there is more! After completing the Forest 450, riders can celebrate their achievement by treating themselves to an finishers medal to show off to friends and fellow riders. All the money raised will go back into taking care of the nation’s forests, allowing riders to help support the forests that they love. Plus, there is a prize bundle worth £1000 up for grabs too!
With an abundance of fantastic mountain biking trails scattered across England, there's no shortage of awe-inspiring experiences waiting to be discovered. Here are some of Forestry England’s carefully selected routes to ignite riders' enthusiasm as they rack up their miles:
- Lakeside Way, Kielder Forest, Northumberland: Kickstart your journey with a picturesque ride along the lakeshore, treating yourself to breathtaking views and encounters with Kielder's diverse wildlife.
- Jubilee Blue Trail, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire: Immerse yourself in flowing singletrack goodness, boasting stunning valley vistas that are perfect for stacking up those miles.
- Beater Trail, High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Norfolk: Navigate through winding forest paths, navigating obstacles like roots and rocks for an added dose of adrenaline.
- Robin Hood Adventure Cycle Trail, Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire: Test your skills on a fast-paced and dynamic trail crafted to enhance your handling abilities, offering a thrilling seven-mile adventure through Sherwood Pines.
- Shipwright's Way Trail, Alice Holt Forest, Surrey: Extend your journey on this extensive route, meandering through picturesque East Hampshire countryside to rack up those extra miles.
- Bodmin Beast Trail, Cardinham Woods, Cornwall: Conquer some of the most exhilarating singletrack sections on this thrilling route, serving as the virtual finish line for the Forest 450 Challenge.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of adventure and exploration with the Forest 450 Challenge. For more information and to sign up, visit forestryengland.uk/forest450
Notes to Editor
- Images are available here. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 291 million visits in 2022/23. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
- Prize information:
One lucky Forest 450 finisher will win:
- £500 to spend at Fox Racing UK
- £150 towards a Forest Holidays stay
- £100 Go Ape voucher
- Forestry England membership and a Forestry England goodie bag
Two runners up will receive
- £100 to spend at Fox Racing UK
- Forestry England membership
Media contact:
Rebecca Ulewicz, Media Relations Officer | media@forestryengland.uk