The Official PH mountain bike ride 2016
Discussion
Hi all,
As some of you may know, aside from working at PH and talking about cars too much I am absolutely OBSESSED with bicycles, and more specifically mountain bikes.
I was thinking it'd be cool to organise an official PH mountain bike day (or even weekend)
A couple of options came to mind:
1) We could go to Bike Park Wales and book our own minibus for the uplift. If you haven't been, it is really very good and because it is uplift assisted all levels of riders (fitness wise) can stick together. I have a contact there so can investigate prices etc. As a bonus, the roads round there are excellent!
2) We could just meet for a group ride at a trail centre or well known riding spot. I guess somewhere like Cannock Chase would be sensible as the riding is ok and it is central. Alternatively we could pick a proper (welsh) venue, or I know the Surrey Hills very well although big group rides are ground upon some times...
3) We could do both and make a weekend of it...
Timing wise I'm thinking of spring ish to let the trails dry out and the air warm up... And more importantly for people to be able to commit to a date.
As I say. This is just a thought but I hope we can make it happen!
Cheers
JD
As some of you may know, aside from working at PH and talking about cars too much I am absolutely OBSESSED with bicycles, and more specifically mountain bikes.
I was thinking it'd be cool to organise an official PH mountain bike day (or even weekend)
A couple of options came to mind:
1) We could go to Bike Park Wales and book our own minibus for the uplift. If you haven't been, it is really very good and because it is uplift assisted all levels of riders (fitness wise) can stick together. I have a contact there so can investigate prices etc. As a bonus, the roads round there are excellent!
2) We could just meet for a group ride at a trail centre or well known riding spot. I guess somewhere like Cannock Chase would be sensible as the riding is ok and it is central. Alternatively we could pick a proper (welsh) venue, or I know the Surrey Hills very well although big group rides are ground upon some times...
3) We could do both and make a weekend of it...
Timing wise I'm thinking of spring ish to let the trails dry out and the air warm up... And more importantly for people to be able to commit to a date.
As I say. This is just a thought but I hope we can make it happen!
Cheers
JD
loudlashadjuster said:
What about doing the South Downs Way? Might be up for that.
The only problem with this is that the south downs way is a bit dull (nothing even remotely "technical" / fun) and the logistics of getting everyone back are a bit of a nightmare.We could however look to enter a team in one of the organised events, but for now shall we stick to something a bit easier to arrange? I do think that Bike Park Wales would be a good day because it would be so easy to arrange...
JD
JD PH said:
The only problem with this is that the south downs way is a bit dull (nothing even remotely "technical" / fun) and the logistics of getting everyone back are a bit of a nightmare.
We could however look to enter a team in one of the organised events, but for now shall we stick to something a bit easier to arrange? I do think that Bike Park Wales would be a good day because it would be so easy to arrange...
JD
Ah, no problem, never done it myself (part of the attraction). Never been to BPW either though! We could however look to enter a team in one of the organised events, but for now shall we stick to something a bit easier to arrange? I do think that Bike Park Wales would be a good day because it would be so easy to arrange...
JD
richardxjr said:
SDW dull? How very dare you! Not technical but can be tough. Perfect 2-day social ride imo.
BPW interesting, I'd be up for joining any other XCers to ride the ups, blues & reds. Could pop into Cwmcarn on the way for a lap.
Sorry - didn't mean to offend and agree it is very sociable.... but still not very practical. Bike Park Wales is good even if you do want to do pedal laps as all the trails start and finish in the same place, so it is easier to keep track of everyone. Would say though that the climb is a bit boring and the uplift is a great way to condense a lot of riding into a day (and don't for a second think that it isn't physically demanding because there are no climbs!!!)BPW interesting, I'd be up for joining any other XCers to ride the ups, blues & reds. Could pop into Cwmcarn on the way for a lap.
Cwmcarn is ace too - always enjoy riding there...
no offence caused! richardxjr said:
SDW dull? How very dare you! Not technical but can be tough. Perfect 2-day social ride imo.
BPW interesting, I'd be up for joining any other XCers to ride the ups, blues & reds. Could pop into Cwmcarn on the way for a lap.
I'd argue it can be technical, with certain weather conditions. And 10000 feet of climbing in less the 100 miles? Tough enough! Not a (big girl's) uplift in sight! BPW interesting, I'd be up for joining any other XCers to ride the ups, blues & reds. Could pop into Cwmcarn on the way for a lap.
But agree it isn't very practical. It's hard enough to organise from here and I live just about half way along it!
I know it's a long way for most but I'd suggest Glenridding, the local community there need help after the flooding and its got awesome natural trails on the doorstep. The best thing to do is pack up the cars, head north and book the local hotels and restaurants.... When the floods subside.
Not really, just a night or two with an os map, a bit of route guidance from the STW crowd to take in the best trails and tell everyone to book at the xxxxxx hotel...
Its the bottom of ullswater so You're only half an hour or so from Grizedale too but you could also take in the Nan bield loop, the high street south towards ambleside is all bridleway and back to patterdale via helvellyn?
I'd bet an STW local would guide for a few post ride beers too.
Its the bottom of ullswater so You're only half an hour or so from Grizedale too but you could also take in the Nan bield loop, the high street south towards ambleside is all bridleway and back to patterdale via helvellyn?
I'd bet an STW local would guide for a few post ride beers too.
BPW - i'd be a maybe. Been once, found my (fear/skill) limit on the Blue route, then tried the Red and came off and knocked myself out. Also, my full-sus is on its last legs so depends if ive replaced that by then.
As for surrey hills/some other kind of XC/Trail/Endurance ride, then i'd be up for that, on my hardtail probably.
As for surrey hills/some other kind of XC/Trail/Endurance ride, then i'd be up for that, on my hardtail probably.
BPW sounds ideal, as much as the lakes businesses need support i appreciate its a long haul for most and as BPW is little more than an hour away, it would be good to put more faces to names... although I dont have an mtb at present, the hire bikes look very tempting. EddH is up for it too...
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