PH Swinley Ride - 2016
Discussion
***Weather permitting - its going to be 21st Feb***
Seems ages since we had a PH Swinley ride. Now that its cold, wet, and the trails are a mess, it sounds like the ideal time to go again!
If you’ve been before, you know what to expect. If you haven’t, we’ll be doing the full Blue & Red routes (less any diversions in place due to repairs or forestry) and possibly a few bits off the designated trails, depending on what the MOD are up to on the day and how we’re feeling. Swinley Red is what other courses might call Blue, so theres really nothing that is too technical. There are, however, some nice downhill sections and fun and fast berms, so something for everyone.
Distance would be ~12-15 miles, and would take ~2 hours. Mostly hard-packed trails, connected by fireroads, and with a few short but sharp climbs. Aim is to have fun, so we’ll be pausing after each section to allow slower riders to catch up.
Start time would be 10:10am (the lookout opens at 10am, in case people need access to the loos)
I think the outside kiosk at the lookout is closed now, but there is an inside cafe if folks wanted a coffee afterwards.
Bit of drizzle is ok, but if its properly pissing down and a mudbath, I would probably suggest aborting.
How does Sunday 7th or Sunday 21st February sound? Discounted the 14th as I thought you’d all want to stay in bed having adult cuddles.
Anyone up ferret?
Seems ages since we had a PH Swinley ride. Now that its cold, wet, and the trails are a mess, it sounds like the ideal time to go again!
If you’ve been before, you know what to expect. If you haven’t, we’ll be doing the full Blue & Red routes (less any diversions in place due to repairs or forestry) and possibly a few bits off the designated trails, depending on what the MOD are up to on the day and how we’re feeling. Swinley Red is what other courses might call Blue, so theres really nothing that is too technical. There are, however, some nice downhill sections and fun and fast berms, so something for everyone.
Distance would be ~12-15 miles, and would take ~2 hours. Mostly hard-packed trails, connected by fireroads, and with a few short but sharp climbs. Aim is to have fun, so we’ll be pausing after each section to allow slower riders to catch up.
Start time would be 10:10am (the lookout opens at 10am, in case people need access to the loos)
I think the outside kiosk at the lookout is closed now, but there is an inside cafe if folks wanted a coffee afterwards.
Bit of drizzle is ok, but if its properly pissing down and a mudbath, I would probably suggest aborting.
How does Sunday 7th or Sunday 21st February sound? Discounted the 14th as I thought you’d all want to stay in bed having adult cuddles.
Anyone up ferret?
Edited by daddy cool on Tuesday 26th January 22:04
Herman Toothrot said:
Nope, nowt. One nice fast swoopy section about 20 seconds with jumps and berms, one section with a few table tops if you can hit them fast enough in the wet. Think blue XC and it's more along that theme, it's good if you approach it as an XC ride.
Be patient, young man.Work in progress, but unlikely to be ready & open by next month.
yellowjack said:
So long as it's an area separate from the Blue and Red trails, and not within one of the loops, I'll be happy.
It is - its a dedicated "freeride" area, that you have to deliberately go to - its not part of the blue/red loop. Certainly makes sense having it closer to the emergency services access points.Obviously will necessitate a rerouting of the existing start to blue, but thats no biggie.
Justin S said:
I recognise that man with the woolly hat as Colin, who I used to ride with. I can understand his involvement in the build of the new section. He hand made labyrinth in secret.
AKA "Jesus" 
He now works for the Crown Estate, but his salary paid for by Trail Team Swinley i believe, and works fulltime building and maintaining the trails. Sometimes i think "i wish i had his job" and then othertimes i look out the window and think "im glad im inside today!"
Herman Toothrot said:
Have they opened a lot back up, that looks like the ditch you swerve back and fore up and down, only rode it twice before they closed it.
Tank Traps? Yeah, that opened up back in the late autumn (when the "ground nesting birds" had gone). Looks different now because all the trees have been chopped down.yellowjack said:
Thanks for the offer. But I'm leaning on my youngest son at the moment.
I've secured 'outline planning permission' to borrow his GT.
Probably for the best. Theres a good chance you'll end up going over the handlebars, even before we throw reversed brakes into the equation!I've secured 'outline planning permission' to borrow his GT.
Only kidding
If you don't fix your boys bike, and don't take up Herman's offer, I also have a bike you could borrow (Boardman full sus, in medium), providing my hardtail is working (ive had some issues with the rear derailleur).Alternatively, you could rent a shiny new 1x11 bike from the BikeHub, and treat it as an extended test ride?
I'll be there, obviously - most likely i'll wear my PH jersey. (Also will be with at least one non-PH buddy)
If its too cold and I need to wear another layer, I will stand at the start of the trails flipping everyone the bird. If you don't punch me in the face, i'll know you are from PH.
I'll be loitering around from ~9:50, with the aim that we all hook up by 10:00, and set off at 10:10.
(If anyone is definitely coming and intending to hire a bike, let me know so we can definitely wait for you to do all the paperwork etc)
If its too cold and I need to wear another layer, I will stand at the start of the trails flipping everyone the bird. If you don't punch me in the face, i'll know you are from PH.
I'll be loitering around from ~9:50, with the aim that we all hook up by 10:00, and set off at 10:10.
(If anyone is definitely coming and intending to hire a bike, let me know so we can definitely wait for you to do all the paperwork etc)
Yay!
That said, if you have mudguards, might be worth bringing them. The trails are well drained so should be in good condition, but the connecting fireroads can be mucky, and while a bit of mud never hurt anyone, Swinley uses the dreaded "ginger" as trail coverings and it does tend to stain clothes.
I absolutely ruined a pair of Versace mountain bike shorts and a D&G jersey in one ride.
That said, if you have mudguards, might be worth bringing them. The trails are well drained so should be in good condition, but the connecting fireroads can be mucky, and while a bit of mud never hurt anyone, Swinley uses the dreaded "ginger" as trail coverings and it does tend to stain clothes.
I absolutely ruined a pair of Versace mountain bike shorts and a D&G jersey in one ride.
Johnny said:
Hope you all had a good ride.
We did! 11 of PH's most hardcore turned out, and then halfway through a 12th late arrival caught up with us.My ride was cut short and I had to miss the 2nd half of blue (my fave bit) because my stupid tubeless tyre sprung a leak. Big thanks to JustinS for the Deet, the sealant, and the pump - and the offer of a spare value. Hes like some sort of mobile LBS.
I'll organise another one in the spring when its a bit drier (hopefully).
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