Since 2018 West Suffolk Wheelers have annually hosted a Cyclocross race on this site as part of the series of races for Eastern Cyclocross League. The course was created each year especially for the race, then left to grow back, recover and was created again the following year.

West Suffolk Council and the West Stow Country Park Management teams have kindly granted permission for West Suffolk Wheelers to maintain and use the area. Hence the creation of the WULF Cycle Skills and Training Area, which is a 1.6-mile circuit of off-road tracks which are cut and maintained by volunteers from West Suffolk Wheelers. Members are allowed to ride cycles in this area (Please see conditions of use).

The course starts at the notice board and is signposted and can be ridden in either direction, red arrowed markers for clockwise or yellow arrowed markers for the opposite direction.

Please bear in mind that other users of the park may walk along or cross the tracks so please be cautious and courteous, this space is shared.

It is expected you have the necessary skill level to ride the circuit, as there are some challenging and technical features which have warning signs preceding them, but there are bypasses to make things easier. However, be under no illusion, ridden at speed, especially at a higher pace it is a tough course physically, so is also a great place to train for racing. When hosting races this course attracts all abilities especially those new to the sport and wanting something to cut their teeth into.

The circuit uses the natural features of the land and is better suited to cross country cycling as opposed to the more technical riding associated with some MTBs. An MTB, Cyclocross bike, gravel bike or a bike with some tread on the tyres will be suitable to use.

Following the markers with red arrows, you will enter the wooded section where you will need to wind your way around fallen logs and there is the opportunity to ‘hop’ a few if you wish, however there are always the by-passes for those who want to keep their wheels on the ground. There is a bit of relief on the short tarmac section passing near to the Victorian Pumphouse, then it’s into the wasteland. Yes Wasteland, this part of the park was a former sewage bed then a one-time landfill site.

Using your cycle skills to ride around several 180° bends, dips and rises until you pass through the open area for the first time you will then have the option to ride through the sandpit if you wish, as it too can be by-passed. You will pass through the open area again and head up to the knoll, a challenging section which traverses the skyward and downward snake route to the top.

There is a downhill section which then plunges to the bottom of the hill and straight to the wooden steps where bikes are carried or pushed, not ridden or alternatively ride the steep bank on the right, its then a sharp turn, steep descent, however there is a bypass section should you not feel in the mood for any of this section.

Then back to the top of the Knoll before riding down the long straight to a sharp right hand turn before the prow of the Longship where you’ll then have a long climb to reach the summit of the knoll for a third time. Catch your breath on the descent back to the open area and then test your cornering skills in the copse with a series of sharp bends, before heading towards the carpark and across the off-camber section, then a sandy right turn, which takes you to the junior sandpit, then twisting through a clump of trees before going down and up a small embankment and restarting the lap.

There will be events planned at certain times so keep an eye out for details.

West Stow Country Park has toilet facilities by the entrance and refreshments can be purchased at Grounds Café which is also on site. The car park is also a great base to start from if you wish to do some gravel riding into Kings Forest and beyond.

For further information about the use of WULF Cycle Skills and Training Area please contact Karl Hale.