Epping Forest: Episode III - Return of the Badgers

Oh, my favourite..... deep, sloppy mud, full of blackberry and hawthorn clippings.

I was up in Epping today. More mud than last month... Hopefully the warm weather will dry it out a bit.

I must say since the winter was not that bad i was really surprised with the level of mud, I was on the cyclocross bike and once at the top tea hut took the roadie route home. Really hope it dries quicky with the half decent weather at the mo. Do need to say why the hell are people taking fully loaded 4x4s and machinery in there when the trails are so soft??.. It has caused more damage than a soggy winter of mountain biking and horse riding ever did.

Where were your photos taken @trinituner?

1st was the climb leading out of the section of trail near hollow pond where the Church is, you go up the climb then you meet the bridge that goes across Forest Road. Approx where the black and red line meet on this map http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/48762258#map=19/51.59200/0.00745

The second was almost the complete trail leading from Whitehall plain as you pass across the golf course to just before Rangers road http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/194485263#map=17/51.62732/0.02275

Generally the further North East you go the drier it gets, don't give up once you're at High Beech, it can only get better!

It was very swampy between Whipps Cross and Ranger's Road on Sunday but I'm confident a weeks worth of warm dry weather will sort it out.

That bit by the bridge is heavily used.

I concur It should dry out once the warmer weather hits it just a real shame that the council or whoever has control of the area does not do anything to try and maintain the trails there. I know a group about 10 years ago put a idea to them re maintenance on a volunteer basis and they where told to basically piss off. The forest now has a ton more use than it did even a few years back with the number of riders and horses sometimes causing a "traffic jams" in some locations at peak times, I would have thought sometime spent would be welcomed?. But then if it is the same people that allowed the Epping new road to be resurfaced in the horrendous way it was then I will not hold my breath re the forest tracks..

^ thought was run by city of london?

Shrugs???

From memory there "was?" a committee that dealt with local issues and the like, the bloke that put in the request was part of a mountain bike club that use to or still does ride there. I had a long chat with him about it over a couple of cups of tea, but as stated it was quite sometime ago now.. They where also trying to combat the trail sabotage that was going on by the suspected wolly hat brigade re putting obstruction across the single track that at one point was at epidemic levels..

Are the 'Badgers going to have to become some kind of vigilante group?

Would prefer and be more likely to attend an early evening ride on the 16th. Just sayin

Epping is riding very well at the moment. Didn't even need to wash my bike today or anything. The forest's canopy is coming out too so the trails should have more protection from any rain.

In for the 9th, will be riding up to Chingford from East London via the canal if anyone else is...

1-BN
2-Ramsaye
3-mmccarthy
4- J.Dennis
5-TomvanHalen
6- Greg

Had a nose about last week and it's pretty dry in most places https://www.strava.com/activities/285293946

Dry trails sound good. Looking forward to this!

I will be along to one at least, confirm soon.

Went out with Mbro35 on Saturday, trails were really dry, we did lots of bits around Chingford they hadn't been able to do since last year then up to Epping, didnt realise trails were so good around both places, struggle to find much by myself

Rain forecast for the weekend and lots more next week.

Buzzkill

Spent all day lounging around in the woods.

Its fast in there! A bit too firm in places but most of it is perfect. Certainly put my Orange through its paces!

(still getting lost regularly)

(still getting lost regularly)

Time to up your orienteering game, son. Who else is going to continue these rides after I'm gone?

Don't give me that. Your people have 1000 year lifespans.

Anyone small people who want to ride Epping but don't have a suitable bike? Fear not, this is available at a bargain price.

Sorry about this, but I'm afraid I've had to re-jig my schedule, so won't be able to make it to London for the 9th.

Can still do the 16th and can also add on the 23rd, if that's any good for those who'd planned to attend on the 9th. @Ramsaye @mmccarthy @J.Dennis @TomvanHalen @Gregory

Saturday 16th of May

1-BN
2-Ramsaye
3-mmccarthy
4-J.Dennis
5-TomvanHalen
6-whatok

Saturday 23rd of May

1-BN

someone donate me wheels and brakeblocks pls

Can't you borrow the wheels from your tourer?