Amanda, Benji and Mark go for a trip out to Farmer Johns bike park to see what’s there, what to wear, and which bike to take.

WORDS AMANDA

PHOTOGRAPHY SINGLETRACK

Farmer Johns (yes, without the apostrophe) is a downhill-oriented mountain bike park with evergrowing dirt jumps and downhill trails. At first glance it looks to be all groomed freeride, with plenty of opportunity for progression, but beneath the surface is a lattice of steep and technical woods trails that share traits with Llangollen, Innerleithen and Dyfi. It’s hard to believe you’ve just driven through a residential area and pedalled across a flat track prior to these lower sections of trail – a real treat, and one that Benji was giddy with excitement about.

Getting parked up and signing on for the day is a swift process, with iPads to fill out a disclaimer and card payments available for your £10 ride pass. On a cold day, the only thing that might slow you down is forcing yourself to leave the warmth of the wood burner and the small dogs pottering around it.