London Calling

Atz

I never quite understand the fascination with riding on the footpath there. It's not like it's interesting and the road is loads faster.

cooldad

Dirt is always more fun than road. BKB is often the last bit we do, so it's a final bit of dirt.

Anonymous

I'm not sure about the locals walking it. Seen one person I think. It's more likely for the same reason the old end of BKB was moved, which is because the houses nearby didn't like riders being so close to their houses.

Though if they're talking about ramblers rather than locals, well they're as bad as cyclists. They're the ones who used deliberate trespass to get the rights to public footpaths in the first place.

But yeah, think they are somewhat big subtle hints now, and there are other naughty places to ride anyway


Anyway, it's been chucking it down a fair bit round here. I think it's going to be pretty muddy this weekend. Though was surprised at Swinley being relatively dry last week.

Mr_B1989

New bike is ready for collection after having the hoses snipped down to size and after this weekend i have 3 weekends off, extremely good timing and lots of riding to catch up on

cooldad

Welcome back MrB

Andy Dobson

So........I've finished the Marin (apart from putting the Fire XC's on), the thumb is healed, the weather looks good for Both today AND tomorrow so the trails hopefully will drain a bit, and ..........

No-one's out to play?

I'll be at Walking Bottom anyway if anybody wants to join me.

njee20

Leave the Ralph on, plenty of grip on the sides, I'd use Ralphs over Fire XCs any day!

surreyhillsmtber

deadkenny wrote:

I'm not sure about the locals walking it. Seen one person I think. It's more likely for the same reason the old end of BKB was moved, which is because the houses nearby didn't like riders being so close to their houses.

Agreed, never seen anyone walking it. Most likely to be due to local "moaners". Remember also, you have the "right to roam" on the Hurtwood which means all users are allowed on all trails. That includes biking on footpaths unless there are signs saying no bikes, so these should be respected where they are put up.

IMO Friends of the Hurtwood should make a proper exit onto the road at the end of BKB for bikes with better visibility for bikers and signage in both directions for road users warning of bikers.

I remember I had an "SPD moment" exiting onto the road once...didn't see a car coming until last moment due to the hedgerow...braked...couldn't get feet out of SPDs...over the handlebars and onto the road in front of the oncoming car....fortunately it must have seen me early and stopped! Suffice to say, I now always unclip at least one foot before going down the bank onto the road!

I will have to come and join you guys for a ride one Sunday if the weather continues to hold. I'm a bit of a fair weather biker I must admit, not keen on the cold or loads of mud at all! Can't do tomorrow unfortunately as I have "Christmas take 2" with all the relatives :S

Stan Leigh

Not out in SH tomorrow .

Going to take my chances over Tunnel Hill with the Trolls ! :twisted:

Andy Dobson

Damn......I'm not gonna make it now...

With developments at home, I'm going to have to restrict my shakedown ride to a blast along the Downslink with daughter and my german shepherd in tow.

The good thing about this is that having done a load of work on Jo's (my wife) stumpy fsr, Becky (my daughter) is now tall enough to ride Jo's bike so I can sort out any problems with both bikes in one ride.

The down side is that Becky's bike is now too small so another build is in order once I find a larger frame for Becky :roll:

Does it ever end?

popstar

Will pay SH visit sunday morning, will do mainly XC for fitness sake.

Anonymous

Still ill

cooldad

I'm out this weekend as well. Next Sunday for sure, come wind, rain, hail, snow or volcanoes.

thel33ter

Two guys from mtb britain are coming tommorow at ten at walking bottom. One will be on a trek full susser.

bungalistic

I'll be at walking bottom for about 10am maybe see some folk there if anyone is out

Buckaroo

Love to be pedalling but have family shizzle for next 2 wknds, gonna be a bright-blu-sky day for it tommorow too, have a good-un if you're on it

S

sandy hill

Did Surrey Hills for the first time today. Trails were muddy, climbing was excellent and Barry Knows Best was the biggest disappointment since not get a new Cube for Christmas.

popstar

Many trails were dissapointing though, that slushy mud is evil. Bungalistic was struggling on all trails with his tyres washing out. Only the last section of BKB was in good enough condition, but otherwise was very good for fitness sake. Even my legs seized when I came home, =Result !

Saw Njee riding around YogPots but that XC snake is always good n fit. I want to be at least half fit like him.

Stan Leigh

Got to rub it in Gentlemen , Tunnel Hill conditions were ALMOST PERFECT today !

Very little mud , beautiful sunshine & trails in perfect nick , although I suspect you wouldn't find even half the trails without the Trolls help !

See you soon , Stan

cooldad

Maybe it's about time you showed us.

bungalistic

The trails were silly muddy and not at all friendly to a non pedal friendly hardtail, what I needed was less pedally stuff and less mud (or just some better tyres)

supra-man

Hi guys quick message, if any are tempted by the megavalanche or even just riding that week with out doing the race, send me a PM or message on FB. to limit any more bla bla here.

as I am going to start looking at places over next couple of weeks with my mates.
( if we do early enough french companies pay half the flat u stay in, great incentive).
supposed to be less pedalling and climbing this year.

French_Aristo

I've done some of swinley today vand as I hae seen the place in a worth state, it wasn't by much. Really wt and not all that fun
Add to that almost 5 weeks without proper card and that had me bailed out and head back for the car park after just 15kmof single tracks
Will try again on wednesday morning to see if the trails or my legs have got any better

thel33ter

@Supra - I'm probably still on for the Passporte, will know for certain soonish.

Also may be going up to Wales on the weekend of the 28th with some mates, very vague plans have been mentioned, something about Afan and Hotels, but nothing certain either.

And finally my singlespeed thingy is coming together nicely Just waiting for stuff to arrive.

Atz

Considering my mega options currently like I said earlier. Hopefully if not the mega, the maxi at Are in August instead but that is a LONG way to go

thel33ter

Half way down the page.. Unacceptable

Who's around Sunday?

Anonymous

I'm hoping to be. Just this damn cold is still half killing me. Had it since before Christmas, although I think it's actually a second one.

njee20

Many trails were dissapointing though, that slushy mud is evil. Bungalistic was struggling on all trails with his tyres washing out. Only the last section of BKB was in good enough condition, but otherwise was very good for fitness sake.

Yeah it was a bit of a slog really, didn't do Pitch, but we did Winterfold, Holmbury and Leith, ended up doing nearly 40 miles in 3hrs 45 (so there's your target Popstar, I'll admit there was some road riding up from/back to my house though!). Real shame that BKB is getting into such a state at the top, suppose it was par for the course with the increased popularity.

cooldad

deadkenny wrote:

I'm hoping to be. Just this damn cold is still half killing me. Had it since before Christmas, although I think it's actually a second one.

Bit of fresh air will do you good.

cooldad

What, where, when etc.