FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are some answers to some of the common questions we get asked in the emails we receive. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to find the information you're after.

Of course if you want to know anything else or feel there is a glaring omission then please contact us.

Where can I hire a mountain bike?

You can't hire bikes in Epping Forest but there are a few shops in Central London that do.


back to top

What time do you start?

Saturday rides are in the Forest. We meet up at Chingford Main Line Station at 10.45am. So if you need a cupper first get there a bit ealier.
back to top

How do I join your club?

There is no real club to join but to be put on the riders list see the join us page.
back to top

How many members do you have?

The numbers have gone up and down over the years. At the moment there are about 100 riders on the Social riders list and around 25 who ride regularly.
back to top

What age are your riders?

We are a group of over 35's both men and woman.
back to top

How far do you ride?

We ride for about 2-3 hours on a Saturday morning covering about 15 - 25 miles. Sometimes its more and in the winter probably less as it gets muddy.br />back to top

Whats the terrain like there?

The forest is a great resource and probably the best offroad riding area this close to London. Its an ancient woodland of oak and elm trees on a rolling ground. Its not mountainous like Wales or Yorkshire but there are some climbs that are short and hard. There is a network of surfaced (sand and mulch) bridleways running through the forest that make for easy riding. The suitably nutty and kitted out of you will like the bomb holes and the rest of us keep exploring the singletrack that runs throughout the forest. Be prepared it does get muddy in winter - well anytime it rains for a week or two actually.
back to top

Whats the best way to get there?

If you are less than 10 miles away the best way to get to Epping Forest is on your bike. Otherwise drive or get a lift.
back to top

Can I get the tube (subway) to the forest?

You can get close by tube but as you may guess there is not a station in the middle of the forest. The Central line runs passed the forest. The best stations being Woodford, Buckhurst Hill and Theydon Bois. Regulations say that you are not allowed to take your bike on any sections of track that go in a tunnel, which means using the Central line only from Stratford in the west. London Transport have a good website at www.londontransport.co.uk
back to top

Whats the nearest railway station?

You might want to tie in your journey with the overland train service. You can get to Stratford on the main line from Liverpool Street or the North London Line that runs around North London (surprise surprise) from Richmond to Woolwich. We meet at Chingford Main Line Station.
back to top

Will I be able to keep up?

If you can ride twisty singletrack up and down small steep hills through sticky mud and not keel over you'll be OK.
back to top

Are there any facilities at High Beech?

There's Carl's tea hut that has snacks and drinks (he also sells maps of the forest). Over the other side is the Royal Oak pub that also has a snack shop attached to it that does a good range of bacon sarnies and other stuff. There is a good amount of parking and a public toilet that is next to the pub.
back to top

What time do you start?

Saturday is our regular ride day and is on each week all through the year - regardless of the weather. We meet outside Chingford Main Line Station at 10.45am and leave at 11.00am sharp.
back to top

How much is the membership fee

The club doen't exist in any formal way. So no membership fee or benefits from such a fee.
back to top

Do you also have women riders?

Yes since starting over as a social older group of riders we have a good mix of men and woman.
back to top

What do I need to take for a Saturday trip?

The only compulsary item is a helmet, which should be pretty obvious. Other than that a bike that will get you around the forest, spare tube and pump and a few pennies for a cup of tea.
back to top

What are the best places to ride.

If you ask most of our regulars they will say firstly the singletrack. And then their favourite area. We have a classic route around Theydon and the fast but flat summer run all the way down to Whipps Cross. Its very difficult to explain a singletrack route, the best idea is to come along and just follow the guy in front. For a beginner its probably best to stick to the bridleways.
back to top

rider going over a dropoff