McLeans Forest is the perfect bike park for beginners. The trails are wide, smooth and consistent, with gentle curves and mellow berms. There are lots of little undulations but no hills. These trails also make a really nice spinning workout for skilled riders.
There are two main loops. The first is 10km of mellow heaven; the second, the Coringa Loop is a masterpiece of gentle singletrack artistry. There is a side loop called the River Loop but it was closed when I was there.
The trails are one way and well signed with several map boards at important places. It's a visitor friendly place - you won't get lost. There is a café, toilets and you can hire bikes at very good prices. There is a huge car parking area to accommodate the flocks of Christchurch people of all ages who pedal these trails on weekends and holidays.
Enjoyable, easy trail. While well-suited to beginners and those looking for a more leisurely cycle, it also caters well to those looking to push themselves hard over broadly flat terrain. Couple of relatively sharp turns, but nothing too severe.
| ThankI enjoyed this park and Christchurch people love it. Riders of all abilities and ages pedal here in droves all year round on the smooth all-weather trails. I rode it on a long weekend and the car park was full but the trails didn't feel particularly crowded. It's probably the model of what a city bike park should be like.
| ThankGreat fun to open up on the firm banked corners, very easy track suits young kids too.
| Thank