PH MTB meet at Swinley Forest (Bracknell) - interested?

[anonymous-user]

Looks like I am going to give it a miss, sorry chaps. Just had a call from TF and the damper body is cracked, basically this is holding a pin into where it shouldn't be and making the forks act as being almost locked out all the time. Bushes and stanchions are ok though so that's something. Bit of a bill so I am going to cut my losses and do some road miles instead.

[daddy cool]

Herman Toothrot said:

Is that on the closed off bit? Ridden the red / blue 3 times in the last 2 months and if there's a rock garden it's not memorable even for someone riding a hard tail

Hes being hilarious... in the middle third of Stickler theres a large rock in the middle of the path which (if you choose) makes a little jump (its just after the 3 dips) - or you can go around the side of it.

Trail-Team-Swinley hat on for a moment - whats little known is that almost every inch of the trails has to be built around natural features and even the most insignificant-looking ditch on Stickler is probably marked on the Crown Estates map of historical geographical features as an "ancient ditch", and the digging work we do has to be very strictly approved and checked that its not impacting these. Its a source of frustration for TTS, but its a necessary evil to be allowed to ride on the Queens property...
Im biased of course, but im eternally thankful that i have such a fun place to ride for free (it was only about 18 months ago they removed the permit to ride - instead charging car parking) and im not bothered about lack of rock gardens*

• i did one once at Cannock Chase, nearly soiled myself

[DeuxCentCinq]

Really hope I'll be over the man flu in time for Sunday.

Now, should I bring the modern Cube (LTD Race) or the retro Cannondale F700?

[daddy cool]

DeuxCentCinq said:

Really hope I'll be over the man flu in time for Sunday.

Now, should I bring the modern Cube (LTD Race) or the retro Cannondale F700?

Deffo the Cube, just because i like Cubes and im fantasising more about lightweight hardtails than sexy F/S bikes now.
As for the man-flu, its scientifically proven that being out in cold, damp conditions builds up your immune system and gets you over it faster. Or something.

Yonex - bad news dude. But you could have come anyway with the forks locked out - Benji is fully rigid and hes faster than you in the Merida races, yak yak

[Gren]

First time at Swinley was on my Cube LTD Race - donated to the wife who has ridden it there a couple of times. Great bike for the vast majority of the trails there.

[anonymous-user]

daddy cool said:

Yonex - bad news dude. But you could have come anyway with the forks locked out - Benji is fully rigid and hes faster than you in the Merida races, yak yak

Yeah but the forks are up at TF still, made no sense to get them back and then have to go through it all again. I'm happy just making up the numbers on the mtb

[DeuxCentCinq]

Gren said:

First time at Swinley was on my Cube LTD Race - donated to the wife who has ridden it there a couple of times. Great bike for the vast majority of the trails there.

I've ridden them all before on it, it is great, but Cannondale has not been used in anger yet, and has much knobblier tyres.

[Herman Toothrot]

daddy cool said:

Im fantasising more about lightweight hardtails than sexy F/S bikes now.

Although not super light weight as I like indestructible you'll probably appreciate my hard tail in is natural titanium glory. :-)

[daddy cool]

Herman Toothrot said:

Although not super light weight as I like indestructible you'll probably appreciate my hard tail in is natural titanium glory. :-)

Oooh yeah, looking forward to seeing that!

[nessiemac]

Herman Toothrot said:

nessiemac said:

What about the huge rock garden in stickler.......!

Is that on the closed off bit? Ridden the red / blue 3 times in the last 2 months and if there's a rock garden it's not memorable even for someone riding a hard tail

Should have had a winking smiley! It is a couple of small rocks that you can pop off on the blue run called Stickler, just before you get to Red 1. Probably rode past without seeing it as it's not very gnarly! But it's referred to as the infamous Swinley rock garden!!

Edited by nessiemac on Friday 23 January 14:16

[nessiemac]

I would love to come on Sunday as I've been riding there for 20 years so know all the good off piste bits as well but day 5 of man flu has hit me hard this week.

[yellowjack]

I'm still keen to come along, but cannot yet commit. There's potentially a day out in the planning (by the wife) so I might not be able to make it.

Also, I'm really nervous, as I bought some Northwave boots and SPD pedals today, and Sunday may well turn out to be my first ride in them. First time clipped-in off road at a trail centre? In the company of others?

What could possibly go wrong?

[daddy cool]

yellowjack said:

I'm still keen to come along, but cannot yet commit. There's potentially a day out in the planning (by the wife) so I might not be able to make it.

Also, I'm really nervous, as I bought some Northwave boots and SPD pedals today, and Sunday may well turn out to be my first ride in them. First time clipped-in off road at a trail centre? In the company of others?

What could possibly go wrong?

I'll be bringing my gopro.
Nothing will go wrong.
But if it does, everyone will be able to rewatch it in glorious 1080p HD.

[anonymous-user]

Bookmarked

[GraemeP]

Gutted I missed this thread! Any chance of a slightly later start next time (say 10am), and me and a couple of pals will join from the isle of wight?

[DeuxCentCinq]

Thanks for reminding me, must charge the GoPro!

[yellowjack]

daddy cool said:

I'll be bringing my gopro.
Nothing will go wrong.
But if it does, everyone will be able to rewatch it in glorious 1080p HD.

Right. That's it. The crappy, old, worn out flat pedals will be going back on,
and I'll retrieve my scabby trainers from the bin in the morning...

[Gren]

GraemeP said:

Gutted I missed this thread! Any chance of a slightly later start next time (say 10am), and me and a couple of pals will join from the isle of wight?

So...... A 10 o clock start at the start of blue/green if the IOW mob can make it?

[DeuxCentCinq]

Soz, my wingman has dropped out, and with me still recovering from epic manflu coupled with being fat and crap, I'd only hold you all up.

It's also an hour's drive each way, with no-one to share petrol with.

Definitely up for some more in the summer, I'm usually there once a week from June-September!

[daddy cool]

Lets keep it 9.30 start tomorrow because a few folks can't do later without risking a divorce. Will be cool have some folks from IOW another time though and we can start later.
To anyone that's left, see you bright and early on the morrow!