About Aston Hill
Aston Hill Bike Park is a mountain bike venue situated just outside Wendover in the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty. The park features five graded downhill (DH) runs, a 4X track and a two-part cross-country (XC) loop: it is a great venue for riders of all ages and abilities with something to challenge everyone, but is more suited to competent riders during the winter months.
Both XC and DH-based beginners can improve here very quickly under supervision using the lower graded runs and the top section of the XC loop, especially on one of the many MTB training courses run by Firecrest MTB. Work has been completed on all of the tracks since the committee took over in 2008: nearly every track has been tuned to add interest and reduce permanent damage to the Hill.
How it all started…
In 1996 a young Ian Warby approached the Forestry Commission about an awkward piece of woodland too steep to be of commercial use. With some fast learning about sustainable trails, a lot of hard graft and input from a world-class downhiller (Rob Warner helped to design the infamous Black Run), Ian converted a forestry off-cut into one of the premier mountain bike centres in the south east of England, and introduced Aston Hill into southern mountain bike folklore.
Ian moved on after ten years successfully running Aston Hill and in 2008 the reins were passed over again to the hastily formed volunteer Aston Hill Committee who have since have been running and developing the centre with the Forestry Commission (FC) and, more recently, the financial, administrative and legal clout of the national cycle organisation, the CTC.
Aston Hill is now open 7 days a week with a pay-to-ride scheme operated by the CTC. All the trails are being constantly tuned, with some exciting developments in the pipeline.
Fees and Membership
Aston Hill is a pay-to-ride centre. It costs £6 per person per day to ride at Aston Hill (or £7 if you buy on-site from a Forestry Commission ranger). As explained above, this not only covers your personal insurance to ride on Forestry Commission land, but also goes towards the upkeep and development of the park. You can book your daypass here.
If you ride at Aston Hill a lot, it’s worth taking out one of the CTC / Aston Hill membership packages. Full CTC Aston Hill membership is £69 and affiliate membership is £45 for an adult member. Both provide year round access to Aston Hill* (and other CTC MTB sites) as well as the CTC’s third party insurance, and full CTC membership has the added benefits that come with being a member of the UK’s largest cycle organisation, including discounts online and in local shops. There are also junior and family memberships available: see the membership and fees page for more information.
Click here to join on-line for adult, junior and affiliate memberships or telephone the CTC Membership Department on 0844 736 8451 for family memberships.
*Subject to trail closures, events and restrictions.
Opening hours
Up to date opening hours can be found on the times page.
The Committee
The committee is the driving force behind Aston Hill. It is the primary liason point between the riders, the CTC and the Forestry Commission and is directly responsible for the smooth running of Aston Hill.
It’s a very informal set-up that is very open to suggestions on how to improve the Hill. If you have any ideas, either grab Pete Way (chairman), Nicole Way, Richard Abbott, Ian Warby, John Holbrook, Neil Cain, Nicky Belton, ‘beardy’ Ben Hopkins, Sam Wakefield or one of the Forestry Commission rangers.
Essentials
We don’t like to harp on about rules and regulations here because we think you are all smart enough to know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. But just in case here are a few reminders of good practice on the Hill:
- Only ride during the stated times – you’re not insured otherwise and risk access for others.
- Pay to ride – this funds the Hill and keeps it open.
- No helmet? No riding. It really is that simple.
- Hide your kit – keep bags hidden and valuables in cars out of sight. There are tea leaves about.
- Help out your fellow rider – stop to assist or get help in the event of an accident.
- Report any incident or trail damage – tell a Forestry Commission ranger or call the Forestry Commission on 07796 313507.
- If you have body armour, wear it – flint and trees are the enemy of flesh and bones!
- Leave only tread marks and dust hanging in the air – take your rubbish home or put it in the bin.
- Be realistic – is your bike going to take the pounding you’re about to give it? No? Then don’t ride it.
- Show a bit of respect to the trails and those that build them – avoiding unnecessary skidding.
- Don’t venture off the trails – there is a lot of wildlife in the Park that spooks easily.
- Do not build trails – join the digging crew and learn to do it properly!
- Ride within your limits – like it needs to be said!
Aston Hill is a technically challenging venue. Be realistic about your skill level and how appropriate your bike/equipment is. If you have any doubts, take your bike to one of the shops listed under ‘Friends of Aston Hill’ for some professional advice.
