A regular ride in Essex.

dogboy73

robertpb wrote:

dogboy73, you need to come on our rides to find out what there is around Thorndon, I think I've got the handle on it after 26 years of MTBing there.

Might have to take you up on that. Just got a new car & I'm waiting to get a roof/bike rack so I can get mobile again but once sorted I plan to be getting out on local rides a lot more often

ploppy

kona_matt wrote:

ploppy wrote:

the grips ride was awesome last night, a lot lot lot dryer, even the part that goes through daws heath and pound woods was dry(ish). it ended up being a very fast paced ride especially on some of the down hill parts.

im going to meet them on the saturday too, they leave grips at 9.45am.

ooo, i've got a mate coming down for a ride this weekend, don't think he'll be here that early though. in fact, his bike is in bits and we need to put it back together first so very doubtful i'd make that.

may join you on the grips ride next tuesday

well im also going for a ride with a mate on the sunday in hockley probably a bit later in the day, you and your mate are more than welcome to come along. we'll be going quite slowly though to get my mate back in the saddle again.

rich.bikeryder

robertpb is it mud gaurds at nine or can we ride without getting a wet rear :shock:

kona_matt

ploppy wrote:

kona_matt wrote:

ploppy wrote:

the grips ride was awesome last night, a lot lot lot dryer, even the part that goes through daws heath and pound woods was dry(ish). it ended up being a very fast paced ride especially on some of the down hill parts.

im going to meet them on the saturday too, they leave grips at 9.45am.

ooo, i've got a mate coming down for a ride this weekend, don't think he'll be here that early though. in fact, his bike is in bits and we need to put it back together first so very doubtful i'd make that.

may join you on the grips ride next tuesday

well im also going for a ride with a mate on the sunday in hockley probably a bit later in the day, you and your mate are more than welcome to come along. we'll be going quite slowly though to get my mate back in the saddle again.

plan is still very fluid so if you see 2 mtbers, one on a blue kona, the other on a red spesh, that's us.

robertpb

rich.bikeryder wrote:

robertpb is it mud gaurds at nine or can we ride without getting a wet rear :shock:

I've taken mine off, then it started to rain, also taken the mud tyres off. :?

rich.bikeryder

mmmm think ill bring along anyways best be safe than sorry knowing my luck ill find the only puddle

MTBKarl

Are you still meeting at the ski slop car park at 9? If so I may tag along if you don't mind.

rich.bikeryder

9 it is rain or shine

Timma

I'm hoping to be there too.
I say hoping because luck has not been on my mtbing side the last two weekends.
So hopefully see you there

robertpb

Today's ride at Thorndon was much faster than of recent, but that drop of rain had made some of the trails very slippy.

I should have stayed with the Trailracker and Mud X instead of the Nobby Nics set-up.

Still it kept Rich behind me entertained with my sideways drifts, some of them carried out with panache and some not.

Timma I hope you are OK after your stack, remember to check your helmet for any damage.

rich.bikeryder

YES never have i seen a sideways slide/drift around a stump with such finess had a right laugh and i didnt fall off a first for the conditions thanks for the tour robert and tim hope you are ok

Timma

Glad you both had good ride.Did you stay out long?
I'm ok thanks,sat down for a few minutes until the stars had gone .just gutted my ride finished so soon.Already looking for shorter stem!Gotta blame the tools

rich.bikeryder

got home just after one ... kept a fast pace all the way round .. :oops: good fun though shame you had to leave always next time :twisted:

Timma

Good stuff .
Can't make next saturday morning but probably following saturday.Gonna try and get out for some inbetween rides so i can keep them legs in order

robertpb

Saturday is looking good for the 9am ride around Thorndon, normal meet point ski slope/kart track car park.

Also having a less energetic ride Thursday at Thorndon 5:30pm meet, for a couple of hours.

VWsurfbum

I might join you on the morrow robert but depends on work as should be working until 18.30 so depends if i can get out for a meeting

dogboy73

Holy shit! I need to get my roof rack sorted out quick so i can join you guys.

VWsurfbum

Sorry didnt make it robert, only just got back to the office now (18.10) plus its goinna be really wet!

robertpb

It was wet, very wet, the trails were under water, but we had a very good ride.

At one point we had to run a toad avoidance programme, so many of them out for their evening stroll.

Roll on Saturday for the big ride.

robertpb

Well the Saturday ride was a good one, warm enough for summer riding gear.

Covered more distance than usual, on the account that we stopped less and put the hammer down.

Trails were better than expected after the downpour on Thursday's ride.

dogboy73

robertpb wrote:

Trails were better than expected after the downpour on Thursday's ride.

I got caught in that riding home from work in Upminster via Ingrebourne Valley on Thursday. I decided to cut through the forest & fields to extend the ride. The tracks were about as shitty & slippery as was possible & after about a mile my bike was starting to stop working! Roll on the summer because I'm getting a bit fed up with slow muddy trails, getting covered in s**it & my bike struggling through it all. Dry, fast trails is what we want

rich.bikeryder

rode thursday and today not a scracth took my boy out for a warm down after thorndon (THANKS AGAIN ROBERT FOR THE TOUR ) rode well rolled into the biggest thorn bush you have ever seen and it took half my calf with it :x nice

malc101

Morning all, I have recently moved to Bishops Stortford and will be looking for some summer riding in the area. I tend to stick to the road bike in the winter.

I have been doing some reading around and was wondering what do we have to offer other than Epping or Hoddesdon areas., something closer to north east Essex would be be cool for evening rides.

VWsurfbum

malc101 wrote:

Morning all, I have recently moved to Bishops Stortford and will be looking for some summer riding in the area. I tend to stick to the road bike in the winter.

I have been doing some reading around and was wondering what do we have to offer other than Epping or Hoddesdon areas., something closer to north east Essex would be be cool for evening rides.

i drive throgh bishops stortford all the time, there's a nature reserve that from the road looks fantastic but never been, looks like it could be a very good area?
The braintree race in mud sweat and gears will only be mins away from you.

rich.bikeryder

went out early this morning to see how the rain has affected the local trail and bog is the only word to describe it plus v.slipprey ...thorndon should be fun on sat

VWsurfbum

i was going to ride tonight but there's no way i'm gonna attempt it, sunday was bad enough over there so today will be even worse!
i hope the weekend will be dry?

rich.bikeryder

well this is summer :? so it should be

kona_matt

I was going to do the Grips ride tonight but unless this eases off i don't think i'll bother!

robertpb

Looks like another muddy ride for Saturday over Thorndon meeting at 9am ski slope/kart track car park.

Even though the weather and conditions have been rather wet all winter, nobody has not had a good time on this ride.

Timma

I'm in for another 'wet and wild' ride :twisted:

My aim : don't land on head

See you all there