Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t find the answer on our website? Have a look here!
All bookings are completed through our website, you have until midnight the night before to complete this, we would always recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, plus it’s cheaper!
Step 1: Choose the type of bike you would like to ride. Below are descriptions of the types of terrain and the bikes that are suitable for that terrain:-
Family trail – you can book a leisure bike or one of our hybrid electric bikes
Blue and Red graded mountain bike runs – a standard hardtail mountain bike – or full suspension of you prefer. If you would like an electric bike, the hybrid is suitable for the blue trail. If you want to ride the red trail, book one of our full suspension electric bikes
Downhill and all other trails – a premium full suspension mountain bike or full suspension electric bike
Step 2: Choose Date / Time – the session times are:-
Leisure Bikes – 10am – 1pm (morning) and 1.30pm – 4.30pm (afternoon)
Mountain Bikes – 9.30am – 12.30pm (morning) and 1pm – 4pm (afternoon)
Step 3: Check the height chart to determine the size of bike required
Step 4: Complete the payment
Step 5: You will receive an automated confirmation email, if you do not receive it check your junk/spam folder
For pre-booked bike collection you will require photo ID with an address that matches the address you booked with – your Driver Licence is perfect or your passport + a utility bill with address.
If your address does not match you will need to complete a pre-authorisation – see below
Yes, you can – our staff will fit them for you.
Yes, we have Shimano SPDs available, or if you prefer, you can bring our own.
On the day bookings are done on a first-come first-served basis – please do not call on the day as the staff cannot reserve bikes or guarantee availability. We try to accommodate customers as much as we can, and have a large hire fleet, so can generally offer you a bike or bikes. However, we have a limited number of accessories (e.g. child trailers) and specific bikes (premium, electric and children), so reservation during busy times is highly recommended
You will need to bring ID – your driver licence is ideal or your passport + a utility bill with your address.
A Pre-Authorisation payment will be required for Standard MTB, Premium MTB and E-bikes
To complete a pre-authorisation, you will require a credit or debit card with sufficient funds to cover the amount required.
For Standard Mountain Bikes the pre-authorisation is £250 per bike
For Premium and E bikes the pre-authorisation is £500 per bike
When you return the bike, we will complete the transaction for the cost of your hire (plus any breakages if applicable)
At this point, the transaction with us is complete and the amount of the pre-authorisation is not with us– your bank may take 3 to 10 working days to catch up with this transaction, during this time the funds will not be available for you to spend, on your online banking it will show as a pending transaction. For this reason, you may prefer to use a credit card.
You will not need to pay for a puncture or broken chain; however, you would need to pay for other damage such as snapped brake levers, broken derailleurs etc. We charge for these parts at trade costs.
Yes, each bike will come with a helmet and we always recommend their use. We have a small number of downhill helmets for people hiring premium bikes. We also have child helmets.
All helmets are cleaned after use with Muc-Off Foam Fresh
We have a small selection of knee pads available in the hire yard. We do not provide gloves, but both pads and gloves are available to buy in our shop.
You have until 5pm the day before to change or cancel your booking
Please email hire@pedalabikeaway.co.uk with your name/booking reference/date and bikes booked.
Yes, they are located in the toilet block, next to the café and cost £1 for 3 minutes
There is a Changing Places toilet available with a hoist and the baby changing facility is in one of the shower rooms
Yes, the car park is owned and operated by the Forestry England
You can pay for this at the machines located by the toilets and the one in the overflow car park or in the café / shop.
No they are free!
Trail information
Family Trail – this is accessed by a traffic-free bridge over the road, then follows part of an old railway line on a 10-mile loop through the forest. Click here for more information
We rent leisure bikes for this trail, as well as a range of accessories such as Trailers – for up to 2 children, Child seats for children up to 23kg, and tagalong bikes – for those who can balance on a bike but are not ready for a 10-mile pedal.
For children, we have bikes in a 20”, 24” and 26” – see height chart – link or put them in here
Yes, they can for a fee, they attach by the seat post, so please make sure that your seat post of free of accessories. They will not fit on dropper posts.
We have fewer of these bikes so would recommend pre-booking
Mountain Bike Trails – We are lucky to have an excellent selection of trails right out of the car park behind the hire yard. Click here for more information.
Yes, we sell off a hire fleet on a regular basis, the bikes have a full service by our mechanics and parts replaced as required, you will then have a 3 months parts warranty. Click here for our list of ex-hire bikes
To purchase we suggest you come down and size up correctly, you will then pay a 10% deposit, and collect your bike in 2 – 3 weeks’ time depending upon the mechanics schedule and parts required.
Yes, our shop is just through the café and sells a great selection of bike accessories and clothing.
We do not repair customer bikes but Sprung Suspension – next to the toilets and bike wash will do.
There are park tools hanging on the wall and a compressed air line just outside the toilet block that are both free to use.
Yes – we can provide bikes for schools and youth groups at a reduced rate. As well as Guides or Coaches – please email groupbooking@pedalabikeaway.co.uk for further information. We also offer corporate packages, hen/stag events and birthday parties!
We are located Cannop Cycle Centre – Google maps should bring you straight to us a GL16 7EH
Yes, coaching/guides are a great way of improving your skills and getting the most out of the area. We offer this through are sister company Wye MTB
Yes, we love dogs! they are more than welcome in the café. In the hire yard we have one dog trailer – although most prefer to run!
If booking the trailer we would recommend bringing a small towel/blanket for the dog to sit on and you will need a short lead.
Yes – just to the left of the main building. This is £1 for 2 minutes. Need some bike cleaner? We’ve got you covered with a great range of Muc-Off products for sale in our shop.
We do not have accommodation available, but the Forest of Dean does have a great selection to suit all budgets!