PH mini MTB meet, Farnborough area, Tue 21 Oct 2014...
Discussion
...over on Strava, a plot has been hatched for a few of us to meet up for a MTB ride next Tuesday. Three of us so far from Pedal Powered, and an 'outsider' from Strava.
None of us has met any of the others before, it's a chance to meet and put faces to the (user)names. We're provisionally hoping to meet around 1230hrs, at the cafe/tea room next to the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre, Mytchett Place Rd, Mytchett, Camberley GU16 6DD.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Basingstoke+Ca...
The plan is to ride for about an hour, maybe 90 minutes, to get back to the cafe before they stop serving food at 1430hrs. There's parking, toilets, and the aforementioned cafe, and there's direct access from the Canal Centre onto the Tunnel Hill MOD training area, which is a bit of a mountain biking hotspot locally. It also seems to drain pretty well and there's plenty of wide tracks to allow group riding at a 'conversational' rather than competitive pace.
Anyone who's interested, feel free to turn up and join in. There's a couple of fit lads in the group, but I'm no whippet, so don't let fitness, or a lack of it, put you off. I'll be hard to miss, as I'll be wearing my PH jersey, and like I say, the intention is to meet up at 1230hrs, so just head to the cafe around about then, and introduce yourself!
None of us has met any of the others before, it's a chance to meet and put faces to the (user)names. We're provisionally hoping to meet around 1230hrs, at the cafe/tea room next to the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre, Mytchett Place Rd, Mytchett, Camberley GU16 6DD.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Basingstoke+Ca...
The plan is to ride for about an hour, maybe 90 minutes, to get back to the cafe before they stop serving food at 1430hrs. There's parking, toilets, and the aforementioned cafe, and there's direct access from the Canal Centre onto the Tunnel Hill MOD training area, which is a bit of a mountain biking hotspot locally. It also seems to drain pretty well and there's plenty of wide tracks to allow group riding at a 'conversational' rather than competitive pace.
Anyone who's interested, feel free to turn up and join in. There's a couple of fit lads in the group, but I'm no whippet, so don't let fitness, or a lack of it, put you off. I'll be hard to miss, as I'll be wearing my PH jersey, and like I say, the intention is to meet up at 1230hrs, so just head to the cafe around about then, and introduce yourself!
Gren said:
If I wasn't at work. I'd be there.
I rode Tunnel Hill yesterday morning and apart from some puddles on the Old Guildford road (fire road that runs along the crest) it was all running quite nicely. A bit muddy but nothing more. Nasty wet roots will be the worst of your troubles.
Don't forget to turn around if you see any squaddies. It's all a bit touchy with mtb access on MOD property around there. Don't want to piss them off!
These puddles?I rode Tunnel Hill yesterday morning and apart from some puddles on the Old Guildford road (fire road that runs along the crest) it was all running quite nicely. A bit muddy but nothing more. Nasty wet roots will be the worst of your troubles.
Don't forget to turn around if you see any squaddies. It's all a bit touchy with mtb access on MOD property around there. Don't want to piss them off!
I'm not too worried about the army using the area. It's unlikely that they'll be using all of it, so there'll be somewhere to ride. I remember the top part of the training area, around the Old Guildford Road, from my time at the School of Logistics in Deepcut. We used it for 'notional' logistics exercises, to train fresh 'Resources Specialists' in the planning and reconnaissance phases of logistics operations. Back then, I don't recall there being any issues between soldiers using the area and MTB access. I suspect most of these "issues" are either caused by a very small minority of "extreme view" idiot MTBers or they are a construct of the MOD's fervent imagination. I take the view that if the MOD are happy to take money from event organisers to sanction the use of these areas for competitive events, then they ought not to be surprised when local riders want to access the area too. After all...
the MOD said:
The overarching access and recreation policy of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a presumption in favour of public access across the estate wherever it is compatible with military and operational training needs, safety, security, conservation and the interests of our tenants
At the (fairly) recent (June 2014) public meeting in Fleet, the subject of a review of the current (1976) byelaws was raised. One man asked if it meant the end of single track mountain biking, which has been enjoyed for the last 40 years.Lt Col Ludlow training safety officer for DIO said:
Mountain biking is a popular sport within all three services and it’s something to be encouraged but as the bye-laws stand it is prohibited.
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/mod-...The weather forecast for Tuesday afternoon is now more pessimistic than it was at the weekend. Showing a couple of hours of light cloud and sunny intervals around midday, after heavy rain in the morning, then moving into 'light showers' for most of the afternoon. Doesn't sound too bad, but might require the digging out of some form of water resistant jacket?
neenaw said:
It's a shame we're not out today, its a cracking day so far!
Hopefully the weather will hold for us tomorrow, fingers crossed!
Is that you, Graeme T? I thought you were the 'outsider' as you don't have the PH club badge on your Strava profile. Sorry for the presumption.Hopefully the weather will hold for us tomorrow, fingers crossed!
It's not too late to ride out today as well?
Forecast has improved once again. Now 'light rain' for the early part of the morning, then sunny intervals from about 1100hrs, with 'light showers' predicted from around 1400hrs.
Hopefully that means the ground will drain a bit before we hit the trails, and we'll get lucky and sneak back in before the showers. Although the BBC weather forecast is quite fluid at the moment, so things can easily change.
Hopefully that means the ground will drain a bit before we hit the trails, and we'll get lucky and sneak back in before the showers. Although the BBC weather forecast is quite fluid at the moment, so things can easily change.
Forecast now less favourable. Light rain, getting heavier early on. Dying away into light showers toward mid-morning, and giving way to cloud with sunny spells around midday. Heavy showers returning around 1400hrs, then clearing once again. Winds up to 23mph westerly.
Anyone else up for this?
Anyone else up for this?
The forecast for later is mainly cloudy, with sunny intervals and a few light showers. That, I can cope with. Wind is going to be the issue, with speeds peaking at 23mph around midday. I presume that's average speed too, with bigger gusts.
What's the consensus at the moment? I'm still up for going, but I'd probably bail if I was going to be the only one out.
It's a shame, as tomorrow is looking (at the moment, at least) to be a far more suitable day, weather-wise.
What say you, Dizeee? Go ahead today, or try to find another date? Or ride today and look for another suitable date?
The other pair of lightweights can stay at home if they like...
If I do go, I may bin off the PH jersey idea. I'll probably end up looking like a refugee from a sportswear sweatshop explosion in whatever waterproof jacket I can find, and a random mish-mash of Aldi/Lidl gear.
What's the consensus at the moment? I'm still up for going, but I'd probably bail if I was going to be the only one out.
It's a shame, as tomorrow is looking (at the moment, at least) to be a far more suitable day, weather-wise.
What say you, Dizeee? Go ahead today, or try to find another date? Or ride today and look for another suitable date?
The other pair of lightweights can stay at home if they like...
If I do go, I may bin off the PH jersey idea. I'll probably end up looking like a refugee from a sportswear sweatshop explosion in whatever waterproof jacket I can find, and a random mish-mash of Aldi/Lidl gear.
Where do you see the downpour forecast?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/farnborough/gu14-... - no rain at all.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecas... (and BBC Weather) showing 'chance of showers'.
If you are willing (and bonkers enough) to ride down in this wind, then I'll commit. 1230hrs at the cafe?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/farnborough/gu14-... - no rain at all.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecas... (and BBC Weather) showing 'chance of showers'.
If you are willing (and bonkers enough) to ride down in this wind, then I'll commit. 1230hrs at the cafe?
Given the wind, Lee, if you want to duck out I think that would be a fair one, especially riding all the way from Binfield.
I'm going to go out anyway, as it's only half an hour for me, and if no-one else turns up there's plenty of ways I can entertain myself there.
Graeme, sorry that you're not coming, but hey, we can't book the weather. I'm happy to meet any/all of you on a suitable alternative date (hopefully with better weather) at another venue. Maybe Swinley? Or perhaps one of you has knowledge of a venue the rest of us haven't found yet?
I'm watching the wind (or it's effects on trees, etc) out of my window right now. It's very much on/off, but when it gusts, it gusts with conviction. I'm off to find a decent waterproof now, and I'll head off in an hour or so. Anyone who's coming, see you there. Anyone who isn't, see you next time? In the meantime, safe riding, all!
I'm going to go out anyway, as it's only half an hour for me, and if no-one else turns up there's plenty of ways I can entertain myself there.
Graeme, sorry that you're not coming, but hey, we can't book the weather. I'm happy to meet any/all of you on a suitable alternative date (hopefully with better weather) at another venue. Maybe Swinley? Or perhaps one of you has knowledge of a venue the rest of us haven't found yet?
I'm watching the wind (or it's effects on trees, etc) out of my window right now. It's very much on/off, but when it gusts, it gusts with conviction. I'm off to find a decent waterproof now, and I'll head off in an hour or so. Anyone who's coming, see you there. Anyone who isn't, see you next time? In the meantime, safe riding, all!
I'll check back tonight, Lee, but yes, tomorrow seems like a plan.
I need to check with the wife first, of course, but I see no obvious obstacles to getting out tomorrow. I'll leave it to you to suggest a time and place, and like I say, I'll check in and confirm tonight.
I can't back out today, as my youngest went off to college about an hour ago on his bike and I won't give him the opportunity to take the mickey later
I need to check with the wife first, of course, but I see no obvious obstacles to getting out tomorrow. I'll leave it to you to suggest a time and place, and like I say, I'll check in and confirm tonight.
I can't back out today, as my youngest went off to college about an hour ago on his bike and I won't give him the opportunity to take the mickey later
So tomorrow (Wednesday) looks like a far better day than today. Light cloud, sunny intervals, 12 degrees and 11/12 mph Westerly wind in the afternoon. I'm going to be riding anyway, somewhere or other, so the question really is... "is anyone up for a trip out somewhere?"
Swinley has been mentioned, and I'd be happy with that, unless anyone has a better idea. The next question, if anyone is interested, is... "where exactly shall we meet up, and at what time?" I'd like it to be early enough to get home before dark is all.
I'll check back later, or first thing in the morning. My riding doesn't tend to be planned in too much detail, so I'm pretty flexible right up until the last minute with regard to changes. All I require is enough notice to get somewhere in plenty of time.
I met up with Dizeee as planned today, and we bimbled around Tunnel Hill and the canal towpath at a reasonably relaxed pace. I called the weather wrong, and was overly hot in my waterproof jacket, but it wasn't too windy until I was on my way home. On the way home, I took a detour up to Porridge Pots, which I'd never ridden before, and it looks ace. Plenty of climbing, lots of narrow tracks in the trees, but also plenty of wide tracks through really attractive woodland. I'm definitely going back there, and soon. All in all, it was a very successful day, what with meeting Dizeee, and plenty of new ground explored. Nice to push into new areas to mix the riding up a bit, as I've been guilty of lacking a sense of adventure lately.
Swinley has been mentioned, and I'd be happy with that, unless anyone has a better idea. The next question, if anyone is interested, is... "where exactly shall we meet up, and at what time?" I'd like it to be early enough to get home before dark is all.
I'll check back later, or first thing in the morning. My riding doesn't tend to be planned in too much detail, so I'm pretty flexible right up until the last minute with regard to changes. All I require is enough notice to get somewhere in plenty of time.
I met up with Dizeee as planned today, and we bimbled around Tunnel Hill and the canal towpath at a reasonably relaxed pace. I called the weather wrong, and was overly hot in my waterproof jacket, but it wasn't too windy until I was on my way home. On the way home, I took a detour up to Porridge Pots, which I'd never ridden before, and it looks ace. Plenty of climbing, lots of narrow tracks in the trees, but also plenty of wide tracks through really attractive woodland. I'm definitely going back there, and soon. All in all, it was a very successful day, what with meeting Dizeee, and plenty of new ground explored. Nice to push into new areas to mix the riding up a bit, as I've been guilty of lacking a sense of adventure lately.
Swinley it is then.
I'll put theHoover Dyson (PH - pedantry matters ) round and clear the ironing pile in the morning, while furiously racking my brain to remember how long it'll take me to ride up to Swinley.
I'd be coming in from the Devil's Highway/Broadmoor way. Where's best to meet up? The visitor centre/cafe? I think it's about 8 or so miles for me to ride there.
I'll put the
) round and clear the ironing pile in the morning, while furiously racking my brain to remember how long it'll take me to ride up to Swinley.I'd be coming in from the Devil's Highway/Broadmoor way. Where's best to meet up? The visitor centre/cafe? I think it's about 8 or so miles for me to ride there.
MadDad said:
12:30 at the visitor centre? I am keen to ride your end of the world so we can scheme our next outing over coffee and cake!!! 
Anyone else......?
Anyone else......?
nessiemac, neenaw, Dizeee - just get in touch when you have a date in mind. Via this thread/forum, via Strava, whichever. I'm more than happy to meet you all one at a time, or all together some time. I can't promise to keep up, so you might have to slow down for me, but I just enjoy riding.
MadDad - 1230hrs at the visitor centre sounds good. I saw the link to your Chilterns loop, and it sounds interesting. But then I saw the photo of your bike stood up by itself in the massive mudbath, and thought "maybe another time". If you are happy to drag yourself down this way, I'm happy to plan something for another time. See you later!
Sunday has a morning??? You learn something new every day dreamer75 said:
Is there a PH Strava group I could join to find out about group meet/rides?
Here's the link for the PH 'club' on Strava... http://www.strava.com/clubs/pistonheads...although I'm not sure that it's very much used to arrange meetings.
Most of the group stuff seems to happen in this forum, and the last couple of days, when I've met up and ridden with MadDad and Dizeee, have been arranged mostly through Strava, but directly through the 'comment' facility on individual rides. That's because we're 'following' each other on there. I don't think I even considered using the 'discussion' facility on the PH Strava site. Although that's more because I didn't think to do that, not because I thought it was a daft idea or owt.
Whereabouts in the country are you, dreamer?
MadDad said:
Actually, using the Strava P/H group as a way of arranging rides 'aint a bad idea!!
Nope. It's a pretty good one. I'm only pissed that dreamer75 thought of it before I did. I'm actually feeling a bit silly for not considering it as a more inclusive method of communication than individual replies/comments on individual rides. I'm presuming that if someone starts a discussion on there, I'll get notified by the wee bell icon on my 'Dashboard' activity feed.dreamer75 said:
Not Monday but planning to go out tomorrow afternoon. Going to be painful after 5 weeks with no exercise at all let alone riding !
Saw your follow Yellow Jack
Saw your follow Yellow Jack
Hello!Your posts on this thread have explained the lack of action on your Strava feed recently. I was going to ask why you went from repeat runs at BPW to nothing. I'm still feeling some discomfort in the ribs area from being hit by a van in February, but it's getting better, slowly. Pain is mainly after riding for me, rather than when I'm actually on the bike. If you're anywhere near Farnborough, I can suggest a couple of Physiotherapists who were very helpful with my recovery. PM me if interested.
With regard to returning after absence, just listen to what your body tells you. That's what I was advised by one of those Physios. I was off 4 months, and it was quite a bit of a 'gurn' getting back on again, but you'll get there. Just take it one step at a time, and don't go trying to break any records early on. Remember that it'll have affected your handling skills too, even after just 5 weeks, so don't risk bashing yourself again.
I'm hoping to get another ride in tomorrow, but it'll be close to home, Hawley or Minley, so that I can get back quickly if summoned (because the wife is 'on call' at the hospital, and I'm the only driver in the house).
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