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Saturday turned out to be a fantastic day for riding the purpose built red and black graded trails at Gisburn Forest. It’s a shame no-one else made it, but there were plenty of other groups riding the trails to keep me company. There are some fairly technical rocky sections and lots of very twisty bits through the forest, which is very dark in places. Once you have reached the summit though, it gets much better with plenty of flowing berms including those in the picture (top) which must be the biggest berms in the country – a bit like a half-pipe. Definitely worth another visit soon, see http://www.forestry.gov./website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandLancashireNoForestGisburnCockletHillCarPark

Having completed one circuit of the forest trail in about 1hr 30mins I headed through Slaidburn and picked up part of the “Killer Loop” around Dunsop Bridge in the Trough of Bowland – see http://explore.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/os_routes/show/9918 I pushed and rode up the bridleway to Dunsop Fell gaining lovely views back to the forest and Ingleborough beyond. Over the top and then a steep and interesting descent to Whitendale from where a road takes a short cut down to Dunsop Bridge. The Post Office cafe provided the best poached eggs on toast this year. This is not an area I know too well, but there is some great off road riding to be done.