Hooton Lodge Trials Bike Park: offering events and practice sessions for riders of all ages and abilities

Riders of all ages and abilities can hone their skills or start from scratch at Hooton Lodge Trials Bike Park in Rotherham where the emphasis is firmly on taking part and having fun.

Well known for its warm welcome and friendly atmosphere, Hooton Lodge attracts loyal locals as well as enthusiasts from around the country keen to tackle its woodland routes and natural obstacles.

According to Gavin Day, who helps to run the trial bike business with owners Charlie Schofield and Charlotte Buck, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the sport without the pressure of competition or crowds of spectators.

What is trial biking?

“Trial biking isn’t really a mainstream sport and a lot of people assume it’s like motocross but the two things are polar opposites,” he explained.

“The aim of it is to go as slowly as possible, making sure your feet don’t touch the ground, so it’s all about balance and stamina.”

What might surprise some people is that the bikes don’t have seats so it takes a lot of skill – and that all important practice – to navigate the courses and progress to the next stage if you fancy a bigger challenge.

There are various routes at Hooton Lodge ranging from beginner to expert level and people can easily spend all day riding round with friends, family or even a new team mate they’ve met along the way.

“People who come here always end up talking and helping each other out and it’s the camaraderie and social side they like as much as anything,” said Gavin.

The park is a practice ground for riders with their own bikes and equipment. It doesn’t provide training but puts on events and sometimes calls in the experts, most recently world number two Adam Raga.

Hooton Lodge Trial Series

Among the new events this year is the Hooton Lodge Trial Series in association with local firms Rev Shed and Dirt Shifter. It includes a two-day weekend (August 4-6) when people can also book to camp on site.

Regular riders currently range in age from six to 82 with as many as 200 people often visiting at weekends. Girls and women are also gradually discovering the traditionally male-dominated hobby and it’s not unusual to find groups of female friends or entire families riding together.

Hooton Lodge on Kilnhurst Road is open from 9.30am until 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. When the nights get lighter in early summer, it also opens from noon until 8pm on Thursdays so look out for Facebook updates.

Prices for one day’s biking are £15 for juniors (up to age 16) and £20 for adults and there’s no need to book.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053556978027