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I found it really challenging. Many of the steep rocky descents were a real challenge for me, there are many climbs which demand quite a high level of fitness. The gap jump (which I did do) gave me a brown trouser moment (highlighting my lack of skill!).

The tracks are very dusty and loose.

Overall, it offered much more than I expected it to and I personally think it offers more challenge than Bedgebury (which I think is easy by comparison).

The site needs much better signage. If I was not following you lot around, I would not have known where to go.

Opening a Pandora's Box here with this question,

I like it and the features it has, its local to me (half hours drive) some good lung busting short sharp climbs and fun descents with added pointy rocks. yes they need better signage, as unless you know the route it gives you no indication of direction. see people on Sunday riding up a downhill section (route you go over the top of the first little tunnel into the blind bend, some guys were riding up their) and the kitty litter needs a good sweeping, some of the berms are loose and like riding over marbles. Will be a challenge to some and would like to see it when its fully open to all and what they do on here. Still see people riding it with no helmet on.....

Watching Stumpie's son ride round with a full face helmet has convinced me my lad and myself also needs the same.
Lots of rocks at Hadleigh. Lots of potential for an off to really hurt.

I have not been to Hadleigh since it opened (but have been last year as a skills course), I would deffently say it is more challenging than you would expect for an xc ride (or other local trail centers). Did enjoy it and found it technical and challenaging but withlots of bridle way linked paths (which were not that fun).

At the end of the day you have to remember it is a world class xc race track and not a trail center (even compareing to the trail centers in Wales). I can personly see a lot of people hurting themselfs (mosty through seeing others doing a section and wanting to copy). 999 will be on speed dial this summer...

XC race there on wednesday (i'm not racing btw) so will see how many have offs and hurt themselves (hopefully not too many) but the level of skill will be everything from novice to those with a good level of skill.

As Chatman says - popcorn subject...

It's a big dust-bowl that is too tight & rocky for most and I agree that people are going to get hurt as they are taking the kids round and don't really know what to expect.

It's an XC course with bits to test riders and keep it interesting for the Olympic crowds... is it more challenging that somewhere like Bedgebury - not sure to be honest - try sprinting round Bedgebury and when you come close to the KOM's give me a shout

What I will say is that I am stoked to have a great resource on my doorstep that should be good all year round...

Will I go there for fun... probably not. I'll stick with Bedgebury or Swinley or Chicksands or, or, or

Were did you read about race? Day or Evening. I was looking to go back day time this week.

Thanks

I think my point is that you can rock-up to Bedgebury and cycle around the routes without any drama. There is nothing at Bedgebury that comes close to the challenges posed at Hadleigh with it's various steep and often badly signed rock descents. In fact, at Hadleigh, if you do not look closely at the route, you will likely choose the wrong option and come a cropper. The very first rock descent we did yesterday is a great example, if you did not inspect it first, and chose the right hand drop, you could well have a massive off. There is no such choice to go wrong at Bedgebury. The technical skill levels required to cycle around Bedgebury (irrespective of the time you do it in) are, IMO, much lower than to do the same at Hadleigh.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as pleased as anyone else to have such a facility within half an hours drive, but I'm not sure it caters for all experience levels. If it was better signed, then maybe, but there is too much room for error for inexperienced riders (such as myself).

Its the first race of the Army inter unit XC on Wednesday, course is open for a pre race ride from 09:00 and the actual race starting at 13:00. Prize giving around 16:00.

Yeah, I guess you are right

The red runs are not too sad the blacks are trickier but similar to Cannock black sections IMO

Were the Back runs at Hadleigh?

I have mixed emotions about the place, I spent all day in the granny rings for the climbs, the decents are pretty slow as the berms are not confidence inspiring and I echo the thought that there will be a lot of injury. The lack of signage when they have had 3 years to get it absolutely perfect is just poor.
The technical sections are brilliant and I still have one to tick off which I'm sure you all know which one.
I wanted to get some mileage and cardiovascular work out on Sunday but I don't think it delivers.

Hi all , Thaank you gentlemen.
I am racing there on 10th May in champs . So hope the Medical Dept are all geared up . Hills are easy when your pushing your bike .... Rocks hem had a few offs on them and flats are where I take a fag break and drink so happiest part.
Will let you know how I get on no doubt . Nappies are going to be used by the sound of it all.
Bob

Have you ridden it before Bob?
Might be worth going and getting a practice if not?