PH mini MTB meet, Farnborough area, Tue 21 Oct 2014...
Discussion
I managed to get out for a bit on both sides of the Minley Road yesterday. My frustration must have been obvious, because the wife literally begged me to go out. It had to be late on in the afternoon, though, as Sunday lunch was quite a heavy affair yesterday, so I had to let that settle a bit.
A generally good ride, briefly spoiled at a few specific points by...
a) dog walkers. No, not all dog walkers, just the 'special' ones, who are too engrossed in their smart phones to even know what their pooch is up to, leave alone be in a position to exercise some control. Engage with the dog, yah idiots! Locking up to avoid a dog that literally leapt out of the undergrowth wasn't much fun.
b) horse riders. Not badly ridden, nor particularly elitist types, but their very presence caused me to abort a segment attempt. Can't they bloody-well ride when I'm not riding? Do they not know who I am??
c) one particular mountain biker. Cracking on with a (fast, downhill) segment, I spotted this chap about half way down the hill. As I got closer, he appeared to check over his shoulder. Presumably he spotted me, because he binned riding predictably, in a more or less straight line, for swooping and swerving fully from one side of the wide gravel track to the other. Deliberate attempt by the current KOM to scupper my run?
Aside from those (partly tongue-in-cheek) issues, the weather was lovely, and most of the terrain was free from mud and standing water. what puddles there were, were easily avoidable, and there were plenty of happy, smiling folk out and about with whom I exchanged a fair few smiles and nods. I even drew a smile from a runner who stopped to do press-ups at the bottom of one hill when I spotted him and remarked "ooh, a stunt ramp!".
I may try to get out this morning/early afternoon, in the hope that it'll be quieter on a weekday. So many people out this weekend, and lots of families with the kids on bikes. It's good to see, but it does mean that the area gets busier than I'd ideally like.
A generally good ride, briefly spoiled at a few specific points by...
a) dog walkers. No, not all dog walkers, just the 'special' ones, who are too engrossed in their smart phones to even know what their pooch is up to, leave alone be in a position to exercise some control. Engage with the dog, yah idiots! Locking up to avoid a dog that literally leapt out of the undergrowth wasn't much fun.
b) horse riders. Not badly ridden, nor particularly elitist types, but their very presence caused me to abort a segment attempt. Can't they bloody-well ride when I'm not riding? Do they not know who I am??
c) one particular mountain biker. Cracking on with a (fast, downhill) segment, I spotted this chap about half way down the hill. As I got closer, he appeared to check over his shoulder. Presumably he spotted me, because he binned riding predictably, in a more or less straight line, for swooping and swerving fully from one side of the wide gravel track to the other. Deliberate attempt by the current KOM to scupper my run?
Aside from those (partly tongue-in-cheek) issues, the weather was lovely, and most of the terrain was free from mud and standing water. what puddles there were, were easily avoidable, and there were plenty of happy, smiling folk out and about with whom I exchanged a fair few smiles and nods. I even drew a smile from a runner who stopped to do press-ups at the bottom of one hill when I spotted him and remarked "ooh, a stunt ramp!".
I may try to get out this morning/early afternoon, in the hope that it'll be quieter on a weekday. So many people out this weekend, and lots of families with the kids on bikes. It's good to see, but it does mean that the area gets busier than I'd ideally like.
pablo said:
The OS map is your friend!... there must be loads of good riding around you that will be quieter than the trail centres? I appreciate its hit or miss on bridleways, byways etc till you find some good routes but its worth it when you dont see another soul for hours on end.
Edit - just had a look at the map, theres nothing is there?!?!! sucks, hope the place is quieter adurduring the week!...
There is a fair bit of quiet alternative, to be fair, it's just knowing where to look.Edit - just had a look at the map, theres nothing is there?!?!! sucks, hope the place is quieter adurduring the week!...
Edited by pablo on Monday 27th October 10:39
The trouble, this weekend, was that the wife was on-call, so I can't really stray more than ten minutes out from home. (I'm the only driver in the house, so am required to play taxi). That's the reason for the self-imposed limit of Hawley Lake/Minley Wood. I can't really moan about other people making the best of the decent weather after Sunday lunch when I'm out doing the same, but I was genuinely confused by the actions of t'other cyclist, and I despair of the dog owners who seem to spend the entire walk with their face full of smart phone.
neenaw said:
yellowjack said:
Put me down as a "maybe". I'll post here closer to the time to confirm (or not).
Good stuff. If you are out and don't fancy Swinley we could try Tunnel Hill or Minley if you preferred.
The Wife said:
I've got a half day. We could go shopping (weekly grocery type).
...but her definition of a half day/early finish differs from most peoples' to be fair (it usually involves at least 7 hours at work and feeling guilty about finishing an hour or two early). I may well put my foot down and just go out anyway. It may be that Swinley is a little too far to get back from if she does happen to 'summon' me, and Minley is still a mess from the Brass Monkeys race, but Tunnel Hill might be a good halfway house. There's parking and a cafe at the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre too. I'll check back later tonight to confirm, although she is out gallivanting with work colleagues tonight, so it might be late on.neenaw said:
Tunnel Hill should be good for me.
I'm pretty sure I can remember the course from the Southern XC race there earlier this year which had some pretty good singletrack in it.
Right. She came home, I applied the thumbscrews and locked her in the cupboard under the stairs. Sure enough, it didn't take long for her to agree to me going riding tomorrow.I'm pretty sure I can remember the course from the Southern XC race there earlier this year which had some pretty good singletrack in it.
Soooo.
Is Tunnel Hill looking like a plan? I reckon I can do 1030hrs at the cafe next to the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre. We can head straight up onto the training area from there. I'm probably going to go out anyway, but the company and the change of scenery will be good, I hope.
If the bottom bit by the Canal Centre doesn't suit, give me a grid reference and we can meet well away from the coffee and cake...
neenaw said:
10:30 is good for me.
I'm not sure whether Swinley or Tunnel Hill will be in better condition with the recent weather so I'll let you decide which we're going to. I'm easy either way as I'll be driving there!
Decision time then.I'm not sure whether Swinley or Tunnel Hill will be in better condition with the recent weather so I'll let you decide which we're going to. I'm easy either way as I'll be driving there!
With the upcoming Merida Brass Monkeys winter enduro series (round 2) being held there, I suggest Tunnel Hill. It's seemingly better draining and less muddy than Swinley at the moment, and it'll act as a recce ride for me in the event that I enter the Brass Monkey race. If you are driving there anyway, it'll be better for me if I have to ride home in response to a summons from the wife. She's due to finish work at 1230hrs, but usually ends up staying longer (
) so we should have at least 2 hours riding if we want it. I'll be riding there, so it will make quite a big difference to me - getting to Swinley means more tarmac miles, and much more tyre wear So 1030hrs at Mytchett? There's parking at the Canal visitor centre http://www3.hants.gov.uk/basingstoke-canal/canal-c... , and toilets if you need them, along with a cafe/tea room for coffee and cake if you want it. Forecast is for light cloud with some sunny intervals, cold at between 3 and 5 degrees centigrade, with a gentle North Westerly breeze.
I'll be the
)As is customary on PH, I'll start a list...
1. neenaw
2. yellowjack
...anyone else up for it?
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