Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

i think it may be, but will try to find out if we can gate crash

So, anyone want to pick me up in London, take me to rent a mtb, then go ride?

anyone want to pick me up in London

Get the train to Martin's Heron, you stand more chance of getting picked up from there both because it's near the Lookout and because it shows some effort on your part.

he also needs to hire a bike - i think putney cycles may rent out mtb's, so you can then catch a train from putney to martins heron

First, I'm fine to meet at Martin's Heron. I figured most people would be departing from London.

Second, the place with rental MTB's that I've found is:
Mountain Trax
1 Barkham Grange
Barkham Street
Barkham
Wokingham
Berkshire RG40 4PJ

wokingham is a schlep to get to before going for a ride

i believe Putney cycles will hire bikes out (though you would need to check)

really frustrating as my new brakes arrive on Monday, at which point i have nearly all the parts to knock up a single speed 29er

I see, I'll call Putney in a bit to see what they have.

try some other london bike shops too

Putney only has hybrids available tomorrow, the search continues.

Well, no luck. Thanks for the tips everyone. Looks like I'll stick to road for this weekend.

I have chatted with Brent, the MTB instructor, we can come out to play and he is willing to give us some advice and tips. Meet at the car park @ 9.30 power climbs are the focus for tomorrow, he thinks some of us may find it a little basic but once they have mastered that he will lead the group on to other things.

fuck the power climbs learn to pump!

its someone else's syllabus so we can't dictate what we are being taught

i am willing to take any instruction I can get if it helps me long term improve my handling skills as this should help me increase my enjoyment and satisfaction

I've been thinking about it james, and i'll probably pass, first time out I want to just get used to the bike and relax, this is my presumption but we'll see how things turn out tomorrow

the idea is for an hour or two of skills training

so shall we say those who wish to work on skills come out at 9.30 and then we all meet at 11.30ish to go for a ride?

so shall we say those who wish to work on skills come out at 9.30 and then we all meet at 11.30ish to go for a ride?

Given that you'll want to pack up and go home about 1500h this close to the solstice, would it not make more sense for the skills group to take an early lunch and then join the others for a ride at more like 1230?

that might be an even better suggestion, or say ride out at 12pm after a light snack, so aim to meet around 11.30 for a warm ditch water (lookout coffee) and cake and then ride?

Snoops and I will be there to ride at 9.30, meet by the ticket office seb, you'll need a day pass anyway I guess.

We'll head back to the lockout around 11.30/12 james, for some rank tea, then do another spin. I want to explore more of swinley, not just 'the loop'

cool

is my shock pump in your car? can you bring one i cant find mine right now

Where is James' overly long, overly detailed ride report? I wanted to know how the press were going to report our scary loitering at Tescos.

Where is James' overly long, overly detailed ride report? I wanted to know how the press were going to report our scary loitering at Tescos.
Tush. We were BUSY! ;)

New SS toy.

And yes, that is my doll house.

if you can find them NOS bonty jones axc but not the current wire bead ones but last years gum-bi dual compound ones.
the Xr4 that replaced them is meant to be good too.
the new continental mountain king, not the old one with triangular nobs but the one that looks like the rubber queen only smaller.
maxxis. advantage or the high roller xc.
kenda. blue groove and nevegal, forget the combo but you use one on the front and one on the rear, google will tell you which ones which.

the bonty jones is similar to a mud-x but usable all year round, a lot of people get good results with the high roller as a fit and forget tyre.

these are not specific mud/winter tyres you need schwalbe black shark mud, bonty mud-x or maxxis wet scream/medusa for that.

don't scrimp, get the folding ones and the best/stickiest compound or dual compound.

specialized do some good value tyres in their 2bliss range (not tubeless but tubeless ready) think they are called storm control and the captain. not used them myself.

Are there any new tyres come out this year that are worth adding to the list? I'm planning on using my new mtb as a pit bike for cross races next year, so looking for a tyre (regular, not tubeless) that will like mixed terrain courses, but with an emphasis on handling (and shedding) mud.

offroad this weekend

saturday or sunday"

Brent has twisted his ankle, so he won't be taking a skills session this week