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

Hello all.

I threatened to do this a while ago when some of you expressed an interest in the off road trails around Epping Forest, so I thought I'd get the idea into the open.

Before moving to Norfolk I lived in a couple of different areas near the forest and spent a great deal of time exploring the trails ( although I've not been there in a while ) I know at least a couple of you have been regular riders around there in the past, but there's always something new to learn.

My plan was to visit during May for a few weeks, when I have a little work around that area. This should give me a decent amount of time to organise some rides over a two week period ( inc 2 weekends )

I'd ideally like these rides to be of mixed gender and ability, but if more inexperienced off roaders want some easier rides ( Epping is generally beginner friendly anyway ) then I'd be happy to try and sort something out. Same goes for the forum women, should they want to do some off roading without the testosterone overdose that can often accompany this sort of thing.

May is my most likely time to be there and I like to get stuff sorted in advance, so I'll stick up a provisional list here for anyone that fancies joining in.

I'd prefer groups not to be too large ( probably no more than 10 max ) though I will do several rides, including weekends, skivers weekday rides and a few evening rides as well.

As befits the forum, rides will be singlespeed friendly too. I myself will be on a fully rigid & heavy SS, so don't expect me to be going anywhere fast :-)

I'll link this to the off road/mtb thread and the 29er thread too for some of the obvious mud lovers.

Any questions, feel free to ask here or pm me. For now though..

A few guidelines for the rides - The rules

Map of meeting point and free car parking - Map link

If anyone wants to come along, but doesn't feel their bike is suitable, there's a Bike Hire place in Loughton which can drop bikes off near the meeting point.

List

1. BareNecessities
   

1. BareNecessities
   
2. mmccarthy
   
   

Definitely in!

I'd like to echo what was said about Epping being quite beginner friendly, I don't think there are many bits that couldn't be tackled on a CX bike. Lovely place to ride!

Subscribed. Not sure if I'll be around but if so then I think I'd come along.

I too would like to subscribe.... keep the thread informed sir, and I will be there in May.

i'm just at the south end of epping forest and would love to know it a bit better
i always seem to end up on the same tracks and then get lost and find myself on the north circular... i think i'm doing it wrong !

I'd love to come along. I've ridden there a bit both on a cross bike, and the MTB.

My bike handling skills are equally awful on both.

Although, they are marginally better than my ability to navigate the forest.

count me in......gives me enough time to finish putting the monster cross together!

Would love to come along - might save me getting so lost in future!

am interested

1. BareNecessities
   
2. mmccarthy
   
3. zeez
   
   

Not ridden at Epping Forest before, be great to meet/ride with Forumers who know the trails.

Nice to see some positive responses. I agree that a CX bike is fine for the most part; perhaps all of it for some of you. The main three options for starting points could be Chingford, Highams Park or Wood Street Stations. All a short journey by train from Liverpool St ( no bikes on trains at peak times ).

I'd hope to be able to do about 5, 6, or perhaps 7 rides over the two weeks, so as to give plenty of options. I'd also hope to have regained some fitness by then* :-)

*forever haunted by mmccarthys "Leith Hill is a piece of cake on a singlespeed"

Also subscribed to this thread. This sounds a great idea and hopefully nearer the time I'll confirm whether I can come,

1. BareNecessities
   
2. mmccarthy
   
3. zeez
   4.IndraRipper
   

I hope it will be fixed MTB friendly too :)

1. BareNecessities
   
2. mmccarthy
   
3. zeez
   
4. IndraRipper
   
5. Alkali
   
   

My appearances are few and far between on forum rides, but I'll register my interest now before dropping out at the last minute

I'll register my interest now before dropping out at the last minute

As will I :-)

Oh, wait....

I hope it will be fixed MTB friendly too :)

Hmmm?

Hmmm?

I'll leave it SS for the time being then lol

Am I being lured into epic forest? lol

The forest gods prefer the younger sacrifices ;-)

Haha fresh blood.

.

Most of the forest from Chingford Station - even in today's snowy conditions - from Bury Wood, Pear Tree Plain through to North Long Hills and High Beach are fine on a single speed CX bike. Even I can manage that and I'm seriously unfit, something that a few months riding here will hopefully sort out. If you meet up at either Wood Street or Highams Park (both are good choices as you can be in the forest in minutes) be aware that in the sheltered parts of Hatch Forest some parts never dry out, and even in a heat wave you can find yourself riding through axle deep soup. Below Pole Hill in Chingford is some good but hilly riding that you will need gears for - most of Hawk Wood & Yardley Hill - and again some parts here drain very slowly and can be muddy long after everywhere else has long been dry. The only hills in the forest I use regularly which always cause me trouble are on the Loughton side; the sudden climb out of the bottom of Great Monk Wood (known as Bellringer's Corner) and the climb to the car park through and up Furze Ground on the Debden side. This is a chilling and spooky ride done in the small hours, with all sorts of weird and unexplainable noises - or so it seems at the time and the temperature always noticeably drops at Bellringer's Corner!

One day when I have a mtb I'll join you lot.

Sounds like a great idea. I will have to try and look into roof rack options I suppose as I don't want to be putting a muddy mtb into the back of the car.

Take the train?
Ride there?