Plymouth University

If I asked where the best place in the UK was for Mountain Biking, most people would say Wales, with the occasional Scotland or even Sheffield called out. But it is a little known fact that far down in the South West, Plymouth and the surrounding area boasts some of the UK's best riding, and has a buzzing Cycling scene to rival anywhere.

Sports club's and societies are a huge part of being at Uni, whichever one you pick you want there to be a club full of like minded people who want to shred just as much as you do. So here are five reasons why Plymouth should be your only choice...

1. The Uni club is one of the best around
The club broke 100 members for the first time this year, making it one of the biggest and fastest sports clubs at the Uni. We have everyone from national racers and sponsored roadies down to those complete beginners.

Every year we take part in the British University Championships, which is paid for completely by the club. It’s basically a two day uplift race at a national level track (Combe Sydenham, Rheola previously) with a relaxed and almost festival like atmosphere that has quite possibly some of the rowdiest hecklers around.

There’s our laid back members only race series for Downhill and Cross Country, and Tuesday night time trials for roadies have been massively popular for those of you of a lycra persuasion. Weekly rides are run on Wednesday’s, Sunday’s, and generally whenever anyone wants to ride. Combine into the equation our socials and there are few clubs that can be a match!



2. So many local riding spots to choose from!
Whatever type of riding your feeling there is somewhere to go ride in Plymouth or in the local area. Nearest by is Cann Woods which is an old spot that’s recently had some near trails added to it by locals. In here there is anything from lengthy gap jumps and techy trails, to rollable tables and longer XC routes - and only a 30 minute ride from uni.

Gawton Gravity Hub is a 30 minute drive away and club members frequently organise trips up to ride the steep tracks like Super Tavi and Egypt. With a fully running uplift (by Flyup) and club members receiving a discounted membership, you can’t ride any better trails for less! Check out next year’s Chairman Pete Robinson riding the infamous Super Tavi below.



Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the coastline offer up some spectacular Cross Country and Road riding routes if being assisted by gravity isn’t really your thing. Just 30 minutes of riding from the Uni campus and your into Dartmoor already, where there’s an endless amount of single track waiting to be discovered. If none of this takes your fancy then Haldon Forest is only a short drive away as well, which has plenty of challenging XC single track too.

3. Buzzing local scene
Plymouth really does have a fantastic local scene, with lots of Bike shops including a lush cafe on the city’s Barbican called Rockets & Rascals. Pop in here for a coffee and a look at some retro yeti’s! There’s also Plymouth CX which organises weekly Cyclocross rides, and both Silverfish UK and Koo Bikes are located in the City.


Each local riding spot has a great community, none better than Woodland Riders (now known as Gawton Gravity Hub and one of the clubs sponsors), who are in charge of both the Gawton and Tavi Woodlands riding sites. Check them out on Facebook- facebook.com/gawtongravityhub

4. Lot's of racing!
Even if you’re not super fast and not that keen on racing, everyone who wants to can take part in the British University Champs. This year we took sixteen racers and two marshals (one dressed as a hot dog) to the Downhill event, even though deadlines were looming, for two days of nice weather and great riding! BUCs is known for chaos and the XC Champs of 2011 highlights this perfectly!



Over the winter there is the Soggy Bottom Cross Country race series, Cyclocross races, and a Winter Downhill race series at Gawton Gravity Hub. The past three years has also seen an Urban Downhill race through the University campus, which last year attracted hundreds of spectators, and race entries included a ticket to see Hadouken in the Student Union afterwards.



5. It’s not a bad Uni either...
So apart from riding you should probably base your decision on how good the University actually is. Plymouth is a really modern Uni that’s recently invested a lot of money in the Student Union, accommodation, and a massive new marine building. It’s a middle ranking Uni if you take notice of the league tables, and has a male to female sex ratio of 38:62 which boosts your chances!

It’s the biggest Uni in the South West and the campus is pretty big, ideally situated in the City Centre and a two minute walk from the Halls which are not based on the campus. Bars and clubs are roughly twenty metres from the edge of campus and the drink is cheap, but what else did you expect?


If you like what you see or want to find out more, 'like' our page on Facebook and get in touch!

Facebook.com/UniversityOfPlymouthCycling