He now works as a cycle guide for Raleigh and won a silver medal at the World Fire and Police Games. He started doing it for fun, but became good at it. A firefighter from Gainsborough, he personifies mountain biking's broad appeal. Thea sets off at a cracking pace, alongside our friendly guide, Ken Baker. Sherwood Forest national nature reserve, with its ancient oaks, is right next door. Of course, Sherwood Pines is mainly conifers (the clue's in the title) but there's a smattering of native species, particularly silver birches. They're all lovely places to ride around, but this one is particularly pretty. Thea and I have cycled other Forestry Commission trails together (Haldon in Devon, Bedgebury in Kent) and we've always had fun. Most people drive here, but if you come by bike you needn't spend a penny. If you bring your own bike (and a picnic) you only pay for parking. The bike hire shop does a brisk trade, and so does the cosy cafe, but riding the trail is free. Sherwood Pines is a 3,300-acre site run by the Forestry Commission, and it has opened it up to cyclists by building a number of bike trails. It stretches across the county, and we've arrived in the heart of it. 'I can't wait to get started.'Īs with a lot of silly southerners, I always thought Sherwood Forest was a made-up place where Robin Hood lived with his merry men. I've brought my 10-year-old daughter Thea here to do some cycling, but she hasn't been on a bike for ages, and nor have I.Įveryone else in the car park seems to know what they're doing: younger fitter dads than me, on bikes worth more than our battered hatchback kids Thea's age doing stunts I never could have managed as a child. We have just arrived in Sherwood Forest, and I'm feeling rather nervous. Map Trail maps are available from Sherwood Pines Cycles Exploring Sherwood Forest Start/Finish Sherwood Forest visitor centre

Sherwood forest nottingham england