Guided rides around Epping Forest ( aka Follow the strange tall man into the woods )

^^ And this.

As Cake says, it's muddy. It's pretty much down to the fact that in 2012 the forest never really dried out and we went straight in to a wet Winter; it's May now and all I see is dark clouds and more rain in the forecast. Most of the areas I would happily walk about in an old pair of trainers is still firmly walking boot territory.

The worst is the east side of the forest, behind the golf course closest to the station in Bury Road, including Pole Hill, Hawkwood Hill & Yardley Hill, as these are always the last places to dry out in good warm weather. The rest of the forest reminds me of conditions you would expect underfoot (wheels) in late October. Bottom line is it is still very rideable, just use tyres for muddy conditions and frames with a bit of clearance. I usually went across the forest on a cyclocross bike with disc brakes and if my back was up to it, I'd be happy to do so as it is now.

Have fun!

Five hours group riding in the woods = four hours eating and drinking.

Lets be realistic. I'm not some kind of Olympian athlete.

Have fun!

Cheers Workstand - hope you're healing up well!

We'll see you for the next lot I'm sure.

As Cake says, it's muddy

I expected as much, though under the right conditions* it can dry out incredibly quickly ( in places ) once everything starts to grow.

*yeah, I know.

Some of the sections up from Wood Street to Chingford can also get really bad, but we won't be doing those.

suggestions for a slower weekday date would be good.

This can be arranged as well. None of the rides will be a chain gang though and the fast boys can race each other to the top of the hills to wear themselves out.

Woah woah woah! Nobody said anything about going up hills...

There are a few muddy holes here and there, but most aren't impassable. Then again it's gonna rain Thursday night and Friday morning...

@ NH - I muttered something similar on the Owl ride yesterday although the word 'flat' had been mentioned earlier. The downhills will be worth the effort, tree stumps excepted :-).

Almost wish I had a bike so I could join this. Almost.

I expected as much, though under the right conditions* it can dry out incredibly quickly ( in places ) once everything starts to grow.

*yeah, I know.

Some of the sections up from Wood Street to Chingford can also get really bad, but we won't be doing those.

That sounds like exactly the right approach to these rides. If everyone lived locally and was up for bath loads of mud, nowhere is really off limits, although there are a few stretches where forward momentum would come rapidly to a halt – particularly in the parts you’ve chosen to avoid.

As you are well aware, lots of forest around High Beech dries out very rapidly regardless. Even if the weather turns really nasty on the days the rides take place, there are still miles and miles of single track and bridleways which will still be rideable – more than enough for five or six hours out and about - and leave folk in a reasonably clean state to ride back or take the train without concern.

The bits of the forest I like the best are both hilly and marsh like. These areas are kindly building my case at home to get one of the fat tired Surly bikes.

Woah woah woah! Nobody said anything about going up hills...

I'll try my best to go around them ;-)

I'm 100kg and live in Norfolk - hills are not my speciality*

*I don't have a speciality.

Almost wish I had a bike so I could join this. Almost.

There will be other opportunities :-)

@Workstand - It's a shame you can't make it along as your trail knowledge is clearly more up to date than mine.

You know how quickly the tracks can change after a tree has fallen across them.

@Workstand - It's a shame you can't make it along as your trail knowledge is clearly more up to date than mine.

You know how quickly the tracks can change after a tree has fallen across them.

If only trail knowledge could be so accurate - you're right of course! There really can't be much more rain up there to fall. I'm hoping that these exchanges about mud/trees etc will all be forgotten on the enjoyable warm dry days that the rides will be on.

Your mention of trees only reminds me of the great storms we had in the late 80s, where the forest became an assault course with trees/huge branches down like dominos, and all the local golf courses closed due to trees across the fairways.

Anyway, that's me done and looking forward to riding next year.

@BN. I've got the week 3rd -7th June off work now so will be prob be up for one of the midweek sessions too. Just moving to Wood St area so keen to learn bits round there.

^ I've got nobody 'booked in' yet for the 4th or 6th.

Could possibly start a ride from Wood St one of those days and show you the singletrack route ( one of several ) up to Chingford, where the bulk of the forest begins.

Sat 25th May - ( 10 am start. 5 – 6 hours duration )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. If alfie's going to make one, it will be this one
   
3. NurseHolliday (may have to break away early due to engagement party in the evening)
   
4. whatok
   
5. Howard
   
6. cake
   
   

Sun 26th May - ( 2pm start 3 – 4 hours )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. or this one.
   
3. Sean
   
4. Eyebrows (prov.)
   
   

Tues 28th May - ( ? )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. Howard (depending on time/employment)
   
   

Thurs 30th May - ( ? )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. nneil (I fell off, or NurseHolliday pushed me)
   
   

Sat 1st June - ( 10am start. 5 – 6 hours )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. NurseHolliday (Join you later if possible - I'm flying in the morning at Stapleford [~15 mins from Epping] and can meet at 11:30)
   
   

Sun 2nd June - ( 2pm start. 3 – 4 hours )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. Weazlepopper (on completely overkill bike for epping)
   
   

Tues 4th June - ( ? )

1. BareNecessities
   
   

Thurs 6th June - ( ? )

1. BareNecessities
   
   
   

Sat 8th June - ( 10am start. 5 – 6 hours )

1. BareNecessities
   2 steves
   
2. NurseHolliday
   
   

Sun 9th June - ( 2pm start. 3 – 4 hours )

1. BareNecessities
   
2. Alkali + 1
   
3. Zebs
   

I haven't made the forest today.... I left too late. I'm sitting by the lock at Waltham abbey now though, contemplating!
I've got to get back, or the missus will have my Jacobs!
Why is it, that you get a headwind all the way here, and then as you turn around, so does the blimmin wind!

Why is it, that you get a headwind all the way here, and then as you turn around, so does the blimmin wind!

I would offer you some helpful, rational explanation to that question...

However, as this is lfgss, you'll have to make do with htfu ;-)

Fuck, that was tough homewards!
Only 45 miles or 71k.......I got a KOM though ;0)

My legs are like jelly now......I've just refuelled with cold Chinese takeaway ...nomnom

KOM.. on the Lea Valley towpath?

Where was it? over the bridge at Broxbourne :-)

The ramp under the A406..

Anyone have a spare Post Mount front caliper and leaver? Cable or hydraulic, anything goes...

KOM.. on the Lea Valley towpath?

Where was it? over the bridge at Broxbourne :-)

Nah, it's called 'pike pool'.....a tricky little offroad bit that parallels the river on the other side to the towpath......only 7 strava users, but I've been about 5 seconds off the last couple of times I've tried.....
Coming home, knackered, headwind etc.....I'm happy with that!

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/#?tab=fiveDay&fcTime=1369350000