Dorney Lake

[Laird]

Anyone been?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

Just moved into to a place up the road in Maidenhead(ish) and took a wonder down the lake last night with the criminally underused bike.

What a fab place!

[louiebaby]

Was there on Sunday watching some rowing, I have done the swim leg of a triathlon there, and used in many times in my previous rowing career. It's a pretty good facility.

If you want to bash out some boring miles on beautifully smooth tarmac, it's great. Try some of the hills up round Marlow and Stokenchurch for strengthening your legs to...

I rode out to Henley via Dorney on Sun from Clapham, had a great ride, next time I do something similar, should I give you a shout?

[Laird]

louiebaby said:

I rode out to Henley via Dorney on Sun from Clapham, had a great ride, next time I do something similar, should I give you a shout?

Yes by all means. I'm only just getting back into it however, so the longer hilly rides are off the menu until my fitness starts coming back.

[louiebaby]

Laird said:

Yes by all means. I'm only just getting back into it however, so the longer hilly rides are off the menu until my fitness starts coming back.

I'm thinking of doing a couple of Lolly-Pop rides, (like an out, loop, and back.) You could join me on the loop, which would be at a sensible pace so I can make it back in one piece...

[Laird]

Cool, drop me a line

[Rob_T]

i cycled out there from marlow one evening. did a loop round the lake but got pulled over by an official as i was leaving who suggested i was perhaps going a bit too fast... problem is the path is so smooth and i had a slight tail wind. got up to 32, so perhaps he had a point.

[Fer]

I use it as a bit of a run out on the mountain bike. It is easier and fewer bugs than the river, and nice and smooth, but it does make it obvious how much noise is coming from the bike itself. Or maybe it was my knees.

[Laird]

Rob_T said:

i cycled out there from marlow one evening. did a loop round the lake but got pulled over by an official as i was leaving who suggested i was perhaps going a bit too fast... problem is the path is so smooth and i had a slight tail wind. got up to 32, so perhaps he had a point.

Yes it is quite easy to hit big speeds there. Was out about 20:00 last night, so think everyone had gone home.

[CerbitonFlyer]

I'm doing my first triathlon here in a couple of weeks time. I've never used the facilities before but have only heard good things from those I know that have. I'm doing the Sprint distance so if anyone else happens to be there then (22nd June) do give me a shout.

[Rich_W]

The waters really good. Very clear once you get away from the pontoons. Bike course for the Tri is windy though. Headwind going NorthWest Tailwind SouthEast

[hugh_]

I was there on Sunday too, should have been racing IM2 8 but I rolled my ankle on Saturday
Hopefully I'll be back in action and rowing there in a fortnight for Marlow Regatta.

louiebaby how much rowing did you do, and why did you stop if you dont mind me asking?

[louiebaby]

hugh_ said:

louiebaby how much rowing did you do, and why did you stop if you dont mind me asking?

I did 3 years in Aberdeen, 1 in Exeter, 2 in Henley and a final year in Aberdeen.

I had a few good results with Aberdeen, and learnt a lot from the years at Leander, finishing off with a bit of action for the Scottish team.

I stopped because I had reached as far as I probably would, and needed to think about a real career, as I was 26, and the three most valuable things I owned were a £3k boat, a £1k bike and a £50 car. (Quite proud of the ratios though.)

If you saw a very tall, overweight guy in a Heinz Baked Beans top on Sunday, that was me. I was only there for about an hour though!

[anonymous-user]

Its just down the road from me, I often go for a blast around there on the road bike late evening (not strictly allowed but quiet enough late on!), or take it in as part of 'off road' MTB ride, often ride down the Thames path from Maidenhead to Eton Wick, around the edge of Dorney Common, then via Dorney Lake on the way home to Maidenhead.

[hugh_]

Good stuff, as much as I'd love to I can't commit the time get that far.

I can't recall seeing you, I was the cripple on crutches and wearing a green fleece looking sorry for myself because I wasnt racing...

[louiebaby]

hugh_ said:

Good stuff, as much as I'd love to I can't commit the time get that far.

It was easy as a student, and for a few years afterwards. I qualified as a Pharmacist, and worked part time, and rowed the rest, spending all my money on the sport, and associated travelling.

Now I'm in an office at 7am and sometimes don't leave until 18:30, and have a wife and a mortgage, it's just not possible. I hoped to do a bit when I moved to London, but it would be a huge commitment that I just don't want to make.

With a bit of luck and some hard graft, maybe in a few years I'll live somewhere with a nice stretch of river nearby, and I'll get another 1x, but I can't see myself getting involved with Club politics or a big crew again.

I had a great time when I was doing it, and look back with very fond memories, (apart from 2k ergo tests,) but life moves on.

I hope you get better soon, and make sure you have a look round Women's Henley. I did my stag doo there last year, in canoes, dressed as pirates. It was a giggle.