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Swinley really is a gem. So much to discover once away from Red and Blue trail. Aside from all the old singletrack which is still there, I still like a bimble out on the forestry tracks to Saddleback Hill on Barossa. Thermos essential. Am only 8 miles away but not made it over there in 12 months now. Need to go soon.
And yeah, lockdown has sucked the miles out of all us
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velosaurus
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That looks like an ideal set up.
I’m excited to go off the fire paths with the new bike, and will have to resist the temptation to rip the gears off and put the chunky tires on to have something similar 😳
Agreed @jontea , find myself leaving the wahoo at home now on all but the rides where I’m a little too far from home to trust my nose, lowering the amount “of bike things to check” makes getting out the door more attractive also.
Maj
Few hours without the gps in swinley this morning
Was an excellent ride all round, part luck/ part terrain I managed to chose routes which were incredibly fun down hill on 35s fixed and just about bearable uphill. Really does turn all those mundane looking fire roads and ruts into quite the course when you can’t stop pedalling and your tyres could just stop if you hit something slightly too big.
Was in no rush, every time I saw a bench or a comfortable looking stump with a view took a seat and cracked open the thermos, maybe done 15 miles tops? Maybe less but it was probably the most enjoyable time I had on a bike for quite a while. The fact I’m vaccine protected as it’s two weeks since my jab definitely helped ease background anxiety.
Tried the flow part of the blue trail, was fine up until the switch backs and then I decided I hadn’t been graced with the bike handling talent to continue, look forward to returning on the mv!
While I’m not a massive fan of the Thames valley, it’s a a slice of suburban commuter hell filler with tories. I do REALLY love swinley, forests in general I like, but growing up around this one was a joy, good to rediscover it on the bike, as trite as it all sounds
And importantly, today’s gravel couture?
Liam hodges sweatshirt
Oakley x samual Ross long sleeve
Some customised Uniqlo jeans
A little warm towards the end but not uncomfortable