Swinley Forest MTB meet - this Sunday - 18th Sept
Discussion
Oi, you - yes, you - what are you doing on Sunday, and why arent you meeting up at Swinley for a morning blast around?
Looks like its going to be a hot week, and the weather appears to be staying dry for next weekend too.
Usual format - meet at 10am, although if everyone wants to meet earlier thats cool by me, i live across the road.
Can do the usual Blue & Red routes, or if folks are feeling adventurous mix it up with some of the old school singletrack sections.
Any interest?
Looks like its going to be a hot week, and the weather appears to be staying dry for next weekend too.
Usual format - meet at 10am, although if everyone wants to meet earlier thats cool by me, i live across the road.
Can do the usual Blue & Red routes, or if folks are feeling adventurous mix it up with some of the old school singletrack sections.
Any interest?
Not sure about this one. I'd love to be able to say yes, but this weekend is "taking Boy to university halls" weekend. I think we're taking him up on Saturday though, and it's only Reading, so I'll see what the rest of the family has planned for Sunday, and if it includes me (or at least requires my presence).
If I can come, I will!
If I can come, I will!
yellowjack said:
It looks like I might be good for this again if it's still going ahead?
Well, I have nothing better to do today, so am still up for a ride - looks like it will just be me and thee then (i'll try and keep up with you!)I'll assume i'll see you at the start of the trails at 10 then, but you have my mobile I think, so hit me up if you want an earlier/later time or want to park at mine and ride up or something.
L8rz!
I went round there a few weeks ago, been there couple of times yet the last time it was a little disappointing as many of the runs were quite badly broken up. Still had a good ride but looks like its popularity is starting to become detrimental to the trails.
Would be interesting to see if you guys share the same view - especially the run 2/3rds through that has a line of downhill tabletops - one of my favourite trails - which seemed to have the fronts chopped out that stop the flow of the jump.
Would be interesting to see if you guys share the same view - especially the run 2/3rds through that has a line of downhill tabletops - one of my favourite trails - which seemed to have the fronts chopped out that stop the flow of the jump.
Success!
I made it on time (well almost on time) despite not leaving until 0920hrs. I work on a 1 hour trip there by bike, yet somehow made it in 38m 39s today!!!
Some great 'off piste' trails ridden, courtesy of daddy cool's expert guiding. Next time I'll be sure to bring some better legs!
VERY busy out in the forest today. Lots of family groups, large groups of lads, and couples too. Not so busy that we were held up very much though, but a heck of a difference to when I ride it on a weekday and it can seem like "The Trails That Time Forgot".
Thank you, Chris!
I made it on time (well almost on time) despite not leaving until 0920hrs. I work on a 1 hour trip there by bike, yet somehow made it in 38m 39s today!!!
Some great 'off piste' trails ridden, courtesy of daddy cool's expert guiding. Next time I'll be sure to bring some better legs!
VERY busy out in the forest today. Lots of family groups, large groups of lads, and couples too. Not so busy that we were held up very much though, but a heck of a difference to when I ride it on a weekday and it can seem like "The Trails That Time Forgot".
Thank you, Chris!
With these feet said:
I went round there a few weeks ago, been there couple of times yet the last time it was a little disappointing as many of the runs were quite badly broken up. Still had a good ride but looks like its popularity is starting to become detrimental to the trails.
Would be interesting to see if you guys share the same view - especially the run 2/3rds through that has a line of downhill tabletops - one of my favourite trails - which seemed to have the fronts chopped out that stop the flow of the jump.
I think I know the one you mean. It has deteriorated quite a bit, but the trails are generally in good shape. At least, in dry weather they run nice.Would be interesting to see if you guys share the same view - especially the run 2/3rds through that has a line of downhill tabletops - one of my favourite trails - which seemed to have the fronts chopped out that stop the flow of the jump.
There are a fair few sections where poor riding has led to 'braking bumps' and damage, and some of the early Red is on dark soil which gets muddy quite quickly. But on the whole it's all still a lot of fun to blast round, and trail maintenance does go on in there. The trouble is, there's about 15 miles of official trails laid out in the forest, so some of it is bound to suffer while other bits (new blue for one) get the lion's share of the effort on them.
yellowjack said:
I think I know the one you mean. It has deteriorated quite a bit, but the trails are generally in good shape. At least, in dry weather they run nice.
There are a fair few sections where poor riding has led to 'braking bumps' and damage, and some of the early Red is on dark soil which gets muddy quite quickly. But on the whole it's all still a lot of fun to blast round, and trail maintenance does go on in there. The trouble is, there's about 15 miles of official trails laid out in the forest, so some of it is bound to suffer while other bits (new blue for one) get the lion's share of the effort on them.
Thanks, as Ive only been round a few times you have selective memory as to the good and the bad. I posted a similar opinion on our local FB page and was shot down by someone who disagreed completely, even though my son and I tagged onto a father and 2 sons who knew the area and also said it had deteriorated. Not been out on my bike for over a week now and hurt my back Thursday so getting a bit annoyed that it wont get better faster....There are a fair few sections where poor riding has led to 'braking bumps' and damage, and some of the early Red is on dark soil which gets muddy quite quickly. But on the whole it's all still a lot of fun to blast round, and trail maintenance does go on in there. The trouble is, there's about 15 miles of official trails laid out in the forest, so some of it is bound to suffer while other bits (new blue for one) get the lion's share of the effort on them.
The trails are (for the most part) man made, and so its inevitable they will deteriorate with the 1/4-million riders that visit there every year. Trail Team Swinley employ a full-time guy to build and maintain trails, but (following years of demand for this) his priority at the moment is getting the freeride site finished. TTS are always looking for volunteers for trail repair days, so if you or these other guys on the FB page would like to help, you can sign up on their website.
That said, its "mountain biking", so extra holes and ruts should be considered features to be overcome, rather than expecting a tarmac-smooth surface all the way around. Im up there several times a week, and still having as much fun as ever.
That said, its "mountain biking", so extra holes and ruts should be considered features to be overcome, rather than expecting a tarmac-smooth surface all the way around. Im up there several times a week, and still having as much fun as ever.
The (well my) ReLive trace for Sunday's ride... https://www.relive.cc/view/716666628
yellowjack said:
The (well my) ReLive trace for Sunday's ride... https://www.relive.cc/view/716666628
God damn! That looks cool. Ive just registered for that...With these feet said:
Im not expecting super smooth! 
I like a technical ride sometimes, the run through the tall trees is IMO one of the best bits - though when I take my 9 yr old out its a good idea to know what to expect! He finished that bit and said " That was scary - but in a good way!"
I do the same with my 10 year old! But I come down through a technical bit and just pray I don't hear him stack it behind me! So far so good :-) I like a technical ride sometimes, the run through the tall trees is IMO one of the best bits - though when I take my 9 yr old out its a good idea to know what to expect! He finished that bit and said " That was scary - but in a good way!"Interesting hearing of reports of the trails being in bad shape it's somewhere I always thought very well groomed, having said that some areas although I'd not describe as damaged are almost like riding on cobbles which can be tiring on a hardtail. It's a bit weird - in one breath I'd say there's nothing at Swinley that you'd want a full suspension bike for, but in the second i'd say however I'd prefer to ride a full suspension round Swinley just to make it less tiring as the constant jitteriness over the man made trails does make it a bit uncomfortable.
The best of Swinley isn't surfaced in my opinion although some of the surfaced bits are good fun as well. Without the surfacing the flat bits would be hell in anything but bone dry conditions it'd be a bog.
The best of Swinley isn't surfaced in my opinion although some of the surfaced bits are good fun as well. Without the surfacing the flat bits would be hell in anything but bone dry conditions it'd be a bog.
Rich135 said:
With these feet said:
Im not expecting super smooth! I like a technical ride sometimes, the run through the tall trees is IMO one of the best bits - though when I take my 9 yr old out its a good idea to know what to expect! He finished that bit and said " That was scary - but in a good way!"
I do the same with my 10 year old! But I come down through a technical bit and just pray I don't hear him stack it behind me! So far so good :-) I like a technical ride sometimes, the run through the tall trees is IMO one of the best bits - though when I take my 9 yr old out its a good idea to know what to expect! He finished that bit and said " That was scary - but in a good way!"
I usually let them go a minute or so ahead of me on most of the Swinley segments, and we tend to finish them at the same time, with me hoping not to hear wailing from in front on the way down!
At the moment, however, there's no riding going on at all, seeing as I picked up a separated shoulder on holiday. It's not advisable to get off at 20mph!
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