How to get there:

Whats There:
 

Ok, before people start going on about this not being strictly a trail then let me explain,with this shitty weather and the need to ride without getting plastered in mud we took to the streets of Bristol.Not too strange really,there was an article many moons ago in MBUK featuring the likes of Peaty caning some urban runs in Bristol and I think they held an unofficial downtown run here,plus MBUK are based just up the road in Bath and do the odd photoshoot with Chris Smith showcasing his street skills right in the city centre.Also factor that a lot of the slopestyle techniques and skills are taken directly from bmx street scene and a ride round the urban jungle makes sense.

How Much:
 

£2 parking, and a few quid for a coffee and muffin.

Whats it Like:
 

We parked the mobility van up smack bang in the centre at the bottom of Park Street (find some metered parking, most are free on Sundays) and went in search of some spots. At the bottom of Park Street we had an initial test of balance with some nice wide kerbs running through the front of the council building past the cathedral, then heading off right we hit a couple of flights of steepish stone steps down onto Hotwells Road.

Over then into the @ Bristol area with a nice little ramp to drop opposite the entrance then onwards to the Lloyds ampitheatre. This has been the venue for many a skate and bmx video and is also where the aforementioned Chris Smith shows his 360 drop technique on the last MBUK video. Basically a stone bowl with a three step 6 ft high wall all the way round looking out onto the waterfront, also a nice transition into it which can be dropped from different heights along the sides. We sessioned the steps a bit, Craig and Tim having no problem going off the middle onto flat, with me trying to nail the 180 endo on the gentle slope in.

Off then over Peros bridge and to the museum side for some Ryan Leech style rail line balance practice (www.ryanleech.com). Now I can get about 8 to 10 ft along a rail before I’m off so how the hell Ryan 180s from line to line is beyond me but its nice to put his skills into perspective. From there its around the back of Redcliffe with the various new office blocks and plenty of steps and ramps back over to the old Lloyds( not forgetting to pop into Barristas if its open, best coffee in Bristol and home to Georges mtb club), where you’ll find the bmxers and boarders every Saturday afternoon. With a nice hip style area and a 3ft ish step to slope this is a good enough spot to wile away half an hour or so, also a good spot to watch the bmx boys 180ing the hip and stalling on the rail.

Round the back through Castle Park with some nice drops off the wall onto the grass if its dryish,more steps then a drop onto the pathway. A quick blast down Baldwin St and onto the centre, with a whole heap of different size steps to drop, working our way up from 2/3 to 6/7 onto the pavement taking care we didn’t get into the road. This is a serious warning, they’ve had a few walkers killed by busses here, the cobble style road fools people into thinking it’s all pedestrianised so take it easy! Theres loads of raised kerbs, steps etc here and if you’re lucky you’ll catch some of the trials boys practising on the walls surrounding the waterfront.

Finally back to the car with some wheelie practice and time for a fry up at the York. Sure there are plenty of other spots like the steps from Clifton Village to Hotwells but this was a tidy loop to hone some street skills on for the beginner.

Conclusion:
 

A good way to spend a few hours practising skills which are easily transferred to off road,and the amount of different routes means you’ll never get bored.

What's Around:
 

C’mon, this is Bristol, theres everything here: cafes, coffee, some decent bike shops to browse, what more do you want?

Links:

www.google.co.uk/maps to plan your route!