PH MTB meet at Swinley Forest (Bracknell) - interested?
Discussion
EDIT - we're locked on Sunday 25th Jan now
EDIT #2 - we're pretty much locked on 9.00 meet at the trailhead, for 9.30 start
So, who's up for a Pistonheads Swinley meet up in the next few weeks?
Im thinking the earliest date could be weekend of the 24th/25th Jan (the previous weekend is a local XC race so im avoiding that) and either day works for me.
Route would likely be the standard Blue & Red routes, with an extra diversion i do through the MOD sections (past the FOB William camp) which is mostly fireroad and nice for a breather but does have a bit of a climb at the end. Thats about 17 miles total, which with regular stops/chats would take about 2.5 hours. We'd be going past the tunnel that leads to Crowthorne woods if anyone knows/wants a further extra loop on top (though i dont know my way around there).
We'd be going past "The Gully" if anyone wanted a few goes on that (a natural gully that has been exaggerated into a series of jumps that Da Kidz go wild on).
Finally (assuming theres no families on it) i'd suggest a time trial on the Green Route. My PB is 2m:43s and never have i felt so close to throwing up in Swinley as doing that! Reckon some of you pro riders can beat that easily.
New to Swinley/not particularly skilled/fit/brave?
Nothing to worry about really - theres basically one steep climb halfway through the red route, and a smaller version in the Blue, and a climb at the very start that is actually quite shallow but always hard on cold legs! Techically theres no jumps that cant be rolled. The Tank Traps section tests your balance a bit but again, can be done slowly, and finally the Deerstalker downhill section is daunting the first time but can be done with the brakes on.
(For reference, while i can get around fairly quickly i cant do jumps and get scared of hardcore downhill sections!)
Conditions: if we're lucky we'd have a week without rain. The main trails are well drained but the fireroads link-ups can be pretty nasty. The newly created "Newt" trail seems to stay permanently gloopy. Swinley soil is very sandy, and you'll need a thorough chain clean afterwards as it eats components for breakfast. Wet lube is a good idea this time of year, and mud guards will be de rigeur!
Aim would be to go as fast as the slowest rider, with plenty of stops for breathers and chinwagging etc. Finish back at the lookout for coffee and cake?
Logistics: Its just outside Bracknell, a few miles from the M3. Car parking costs a few quid (something like £4 for 3 hours? Not sure right now).
So, anyone interested? No problems pushing the date out.
EDIT #2 - we're pretty much locked on 9.00 meet at the trailhead, for 9.30 start
So, who's up for a Pistonheads Swinley meet up in the next few weeks?
Im thinking the earliest date could be weekend of the 24th/25th Jan (the previous weekend is a local XC race so im avoiding that) and either day works for me.
Route would likely be the standard Blue & Red routes, with an extra diversion i do through the MOD sections (past the FOB William camp) which is mostly fireroad and nice for a breather but does have a bit of a climb at the end. Thats about 17 miles total, which with regular stops/chats would take about 2.5 hours. We'd be going past the tunnel that leads to Crowthorne woods if anyone knows/wants a further extra loop on top (though i dont know my way around there).
We'd be going past "The Gully" if anyone wanted a few goes on that (a natural gully that has been exaggerated into a series of jumps that Da Kidz go wild on).
Finally (assuming theres no families on it) i'd suggest a time trial on the Green Route. My PB is 2m:43s and never have i felt so close to throwing up in Swinley as doing that! Reckon some of you pro riders can beat that easily.
New to Swinley/not particularly skilled/fit/brave?
Nothing to worry about really - theres basically one steep climb halfway through the red route, and a smaller version in the Blue, and a climb at the very start that is actually quite shallow but always hard on cold legs! Techically theres no jumps that cant be rolled. The Tank Traps section tests your balance a bit but again, can be done slowly, and finally the Deerstalker downhill section is daunting the first time but can be done with the brakes on.
(For reference, while i can get around fairly quickly i cant do jumps and get scared of hardcore downhill sections!)
Conditions: if we're lucky we'd have a week without rain. The main trails are well drained but the fireroads link-ups can be pretty nasty. The newly created "Newt" trail seems to stay permanently gloopy. Swinley soil is very sandy, and you'll need a thorough chain clean afterwards as it eats components for breakfast. Wet lube is a good idea this time of year, and mud guards will be de rigeur!
Aim would be to go as fast as the slowest rider, with plenty of stops for breathers and chinwagging etc. Finish back at the lookout for coffee and cake?
Logistics: Its just outside Bracknell, a few miles from the M3. Car parking costs a few quid (something like £4 for 3 hours? Not sure right now).
So, anyone interested? No problems pushing the date out.
Edited by daddy cool on Wednesday 21st January 15:24
I'm more than happy to put my name down for that. There's little going on in my life to stop me riding, unless the wife arranges something in the meantime, so I'd be flexible too, if the date needed to change. I've only ridden Swinley about three, possibly four times, so whilst I know where it is and generally how it rides/what to expect, I don't really know the place, and aside from a day up there with MadDad, because he knew where he was going, I don't normally stray from the Red and Blue trails. It's about 8 miles riding for me to get there, so I'd not be keen on starting out too early 
Cool - looks like we could have a decent bunch!
So, lets say its Sunday 25th then - unless there is some significant adverse weather either on or in the days leading up to that date. (ie, torrential rain, or heavy snow, or other reasons to close the trails to protect them as per last year)
Meet up ~10.30ish?
Hopefully the current diversion towards the end of Red will be over by then, as it misses out the uber-exciting "Rollercoaster" section - they have been removing Rhododendron bushes all over the forest in the past weeks as they have been getting out of control.
So, lets say its Sunday 25th then - unless there is some significant adverse weather either on or in the days leading up to that date. (ie, torrential rain, or heavy snow, or other reasons to close the trails to protect them as per last year)
Meet up ~10.30ish?
Hopefully the current diversion towards the end of Red will be over by then, as it misses out the uber-exciting "Rollercoaster" section - they have been removing Rhododendron bushes all over the forest in the past weeks as they have been getting out of control.
I could well be up for this - will depend on if I am leading a club ride or not. I know Swinley reasonably well so am happy to take us around some of the 'old' trails as well as the new ones. The old ones are a bit overgrown and loamy but still good fun - YJ rode a couple of miles of them with me and seemed to enjoy himself! 
Greenish said:
Could be interested. Mountain bikes?
Mountain bikes would certainly be the most appropriate vehicle for the terrain!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y83uahlmjrU
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff