Adventures of a 'Cautious Chick' - aka the fun rides of Derby

Like many others, as I’ve got older my risk-taking behaviour has decreased… I’ve learnt I don’t bounce as well as I used to, and it takes too long to heal, 6 months off the bike following shoulder surgery a few years ago was the clincher. It is better not to crash; therefore, I don’t ride things I’m not comfortable with.

Jen out enjoying the trails through the forest

My first trip to Derby was like many of my MTB rides, me and the blokes. I had the usual thoughts rolling through my mind; would I cope with the trails, would I be left behind, would I enjoy it, or should I have stayed at home and let my partner go without me. One positive of this trip was a couple of other partners who had come along but weren’t riding. At least if I found it all too hard I had someone to hang out with.

the log that marks the start of the atlas descent - riding this is optional

I was pleasantly surprised that there was plenty in Derby to keep me riding, the Black Stump Shuttles offer a range of Blue Trails, I find Return to Sender and Flickety Sticks to be great options and if you feel like a climb up the Snig Track, Kingswall is a great ride. There are a couple of corners on each of these trails where I will stop and walk my bike down a steeper, off camber or rocky section but by and large they are rideable for a cautious chick.

The weldborough hotel is a great place to grab a bite to eat

Blue Tier and Atlas are both great adventure options, if you are concerned about doing the double in a day book the Blue Tier shuttle from Weldborough Hotel, drive your car to Weldborough. This allows you to ride the Blue Tier trail without committing to Atlas in the afternoon. This takes the pressure off and allows you to enjoy the trail without feeling the need to rush to make the afternoon shuttle to Atlas. If you do this, take your time and enjoy the scenery of Blue Tier, it really is a spectacular trail and you can miss some fantastic views if you just charge down to Weldborough.

Riding out from the trailhead in town also has a great range of trails suitable for cautious riders, Berms and Ferns, Rusty Crusty, Axehead and Sawtooth combine to make a nice introductory loop. Derby Lake and Rapids are a second option on the other side of the highway. For the fitter and more experienced rider riding Krushkas and the circuit around Cascade Dam are great half day rides (taken at a leisurely pace with a snack to stop for a picnic or in the case of Cascade Dam a swim!).

Jen Benson - aka the Cautious Chick