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

just back from Swinley

bits of it are fucked at the moment. so many trails are hard to follow because all the trees on either side have been felled. also there are places where the detritus from the cutting down of trees has just been left behind, covering up the paths.

sticklers 1, 2 and 3 were closed for renovation work

really wet, practically any path on a slope had running water

but it was great fun, though i was technically a little poor today, not pushing myself back far enough when descending into gulleys and almost going over the handlebars. i did stack it when approaching a wooden bridge at an angle too fast, so had to try to turn on the bridge, not enough traction

http://app.strava.com/activities/29499709

http://app.strava.com/activities/29493649

Wet.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1kxZn3LhAacd0qAxCz-OJfweP16zClpJ6FF8R7eap-XZeVKCnhkgSEl2mGNd6/edit

Map showing the new trails which are being built. Not sure whether to be really excited or really nervous about this..

if it is the same guy building the trails that I met previously, then he is really good and creative

the sticklers have been a great addition so am quite excited

AFAIK it's Rowan Sorrell, who has an excellent track record

Anyone interested in riding Sunday?

Can't do sunday but as I am now unemployed would be v.interested in a skivers session midweek.

skivers tomorrow?

got an email from Gorrick this evening

"Dear Rider,

Many of you will be aware that the Crown Estate is instituting some changes within Swinley Forest which will affect cyclists. There has been some coverage already in the local press and comment in several cycling forum groups.

This Monday 3 December 2012 at 7.00pm The Crown Estate is holding a meeting at which they will explain what is happening and the reasons for the changes. The venue is Bracknell College, Church Road, Bracknell, Berks RG12 1DJ which is close to Bracknell town centre. There is limited car parking on site but plenty of parking is available in the town centre car parks within 10 minutes of the college. There is also unsecure cycle parking on site.

Regards,

Swinley Forest Cycling"

Sunday mtb session? train connections are not great, but feel like i need some exercise

I'm a maybe. What time did you have in mind?

Was vaguely thinking of hitting Swinley this weekend already. Bummer about the trains but yeah, I'm up for a Sunday ride.

trains are not great for swinley

leave Wimbledon at 9.59 arrive 10.48 or 10.56 arriving 11.48

(these trains start at Waterloo)

stopping at
Vauxhall [VXH]
Clapham Junction [CLJ]
Wimbledon [WIM]
Virginia Water [VIR]
Sunningdale [SNG]
Ascot (Berks) [ACT]

so who is up for it, and which time train?

OT: anybody got some jones bars or titec ones to sell?

Count me in. Happy to go for the earlier train.

Possibly the earlier train - not sure if I'll make it though. If I'm there I'm there etc.

ok, earlier train it is

I was just reading about a casualty being airlifted from Swinley today. Hope none of you guys broke yourselves out there?

Not I - didn't make it in the end. Hope the rider recovers well.

Conscious, but broken ribs apparently. Ouch :-(

Hope it's nothing too serious. Ouch indeed.

I was just reading about a casualty being airlifted from Swinley today?

, but broken ribs apparently

Needs to htfu, I rode out of Swinley after I regained consciousness, didn't get my cracked shoulder blade x-rayed until the next day.

we are fine, hendrik and i both rode away

it was cold but great fun, trains were shocking but the ride made it worthwhile

checked out a lot of the new trail building and refurbishment sites and then Brent showed us around the last enduro race route. the race must have been fucking hard work, really challenging circuit

^ Good to hear.

If you were hospitalised, you'd never be off this forum ;-)

feeling that my bike is seriously underutilised having watched the video link on here

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/The-Argument-For-Short-Travel-Bikes-Opinion-2012.html