London Calling

popstar

Had a ride in Swinley today, dusty singletrack everywhere. The place is really good to play around, especially on my new machine. Even then, on a working day ... there were many cyclists and rad kidz around, guess many try to get the best out of weather while it lasts. 

Atz

You out on Monday so I can admire the new beast?

popstar

If it's Swinley, and a late lunch 15.30* then YES! Finishing work at 14.00, there is nothing to admire really, better just to ride it and then give conclusion. Although it's quite similar style of riding to Marin Wolfridge, but in purity stake, it really kills hardcore MTB rad* feeling of the trail ... but boy, it goes fast!!! , and so smooth.

supra-man

well seems i took a good guess this morning. 8)

well now the videos will seem accelerated... on the usual trails.
going to have to return to wales to see how fast you can now go.

Anonymous

I'll be up for a ride somewhere on Monday almost certainly. Only thing is I'd like to do Surrey Hills over the weekend, but maybe I can do that sat/sun and put up with the rain.

Keep trying to get off work early enough to go over to Swinley in the evening. Maybe tonight.

Just realised the car park closes at 8.30pm. That's around sunset currently. Though from what I remember, once you're in, you can stay beyond that and get out, just they don't let anyone in.

popstar

I might join you Dkenny in Swinley on weekdays ride, if you don't mind!?

supra-man

what days are you going during th week?? and from what time?

popstar

Hope to ride Friday in Swinley, finishing work at 15.00, so would be something around 16.30ish to start from Lookout*. But if group ride, times could be altered.

Atz

Well if the weather is good, I'll be doing SH on Monday morning (either the three around Peaslake or Holmbury - Leith like the other weekend). Depending on how much notice you can give, might also make the odd weekday evening at Swinley.

Anonymous

Weekday evenings at Swinley would have to be more around 6pm for me at the moment. Light is good up to 8.30 at least now.

Good alternates for me in the week are:

The land off Beacon Hill near Aldershot/Church Crookham. I forget what they call it, but I know there's stuff around there the army guys use (both for army stuff and mountain biking), as well as the public, and it's right out the door from work. Still never been round there on the bike but I hear it's good. I should go out at lunch really.

Or, Tunnel Hill (round by Mytchett and the Pirbright ranges). Been there a few times, but I'm no expert on the area. It's on my way home from work, so handy for me

fatfreddyscat

DK - I may be up for Surrey Hills over the weekend. I've got some other things to take care of but let me know what day/time you're thinking and I'll see if I can make it.

Atz

I did the race (yeah me, I know) up near Aldershot in Jan and there's some interesting stuff up there if I can remember the route. Another possible weekend explore?

cooldad

Thel33ter is with me for the weekend, all three days. I'm sure he'll be up for something, and I'll try and keep up again.

SH or Swinely or pretty much anywhere else will be fine

cooldad

Hopefully the weather won't be too bad. Give me dry dust anyday.

Anonymous

Not sure on the best day to do SH. Looks like rain whatever day, though BBC predicts better for the morning on Saturday. Maybe 9am Saturday?

Monday is still looking okay. I'm up for wherever that day. Swinley for a change, SH, or anywhere else maybe.

supra-man

Ill be out on Surrey Hills monday if t is not too wet, bringing a friend, shes just getting back in MTB , so i wont be hammering the trails but do all the regular stuf at an easy pace. leith hill then link up to homburry ect. mid morning to evening probably.

oh and how long is the ride from Dorking station to leith hill.

I think swinley wont be good with all the weekend rain.

Picking up new car only next weekend at last.

Atz

There's a Gorrick race at Swinley on Sunday I think (the Enduro) so Sunday will prob be hit and miss unless you sign up. Dorking to Leith I think you can do by going up Summer Lightning. I was thinking of an earlier start so might meet you around Leith depending on timing

Anonymous

Hmm, good point about soggy Swinley. Maybe I'll switch and do Swinley tomorrow morning (or even this evening) and SH Monday. Could meet up with some peeps then.

popstar

I am riding this Friday evening in Swinley with Playsir* will do Surrey Hill,Labyrinth,Corkscrew etc. Itching to try find limit of new affair.

karve

What are swinley conditions like at the mo.. should be ok in the rain yea it drains pretty well?

Atz

Generally it drains well but honestly, it's not really recovered from winter so more wet riding, (on top of the enduro that looks to be run in the rain) prob isn't a good idea if you want good riding over summer.

thel33ter

Any of the days this weekend should be fine, no school on Saturday morning, Although the 'school' is just a gentle ride with some mates but it is compulsory :roll:

Popstar - Bet the Zesty's sweet

popstar

Well, Dkenny tried Zesty today ... it wasn't set up for his weight, so not sure. Even then, it needs some run inn, cos I was lucky enough to get it brand new from E-bay.

On questions about drainage at Swinley ... it is an awful lot sandy place, and to have reasonable riding trails takes at least 2-3 days of dry weather. Singlespeed HT will suit it well on rainy days, otherwise it's all sand grinding your gears and pivots and bearings the hell lot of it.

cooldad

Looks like SH on Monday suits most. Mid late morning until whenever?

Who when and where?

popstar

I think that I will pass this weekend, ...

Anonymous

Zesty was great from the brief go I gave it. Didn't have the balls to really throw it around, but it's very light and doesn't rattle compared to my GT. Good solid build. Think I'd need to get the feel for a bike like that for a bit else I'd go way too fast and break something (i.e. me!)

Swinley is still damp at the moment. The trails and fire roads are generally dry on top, but it feels soggy underneath. Some big pools about here and there off the sides that are normally bone dry.

P.S. Special thanks to popstar for having a light last night after our misadventure with a snapped chain

Monday - Yeah, mid morning sounds good for Surrey Hills. I'm up for that.

Plaisir

deadkenny wrote:

P.S. Special thanks to popstar for having a light last night after our misadventure with a snapped chain

+1

Many thanks chaps for the help! Certainly raised my interest in the concept of night riding!

thel33ter

Heading up to Swinley in 45 mins or so. If you see a Kona Four with someone in a black Tour de France jersey thats me.

nicholas_yiu

Popstar/Plaisir, shame to hear you had a snapped chain after I left last night. (Was it you guy I ridden with yesterday?)

I normally ride on Monday evening as well (start at 6), but I can only ride for a short period as I need to get home before 8 to have dinner.

I will be away for 3 weeks on a business trip (Japan) though but I will frequent the forums a bit more often as I would have nothing to do in the evenings.

Plaisir

Yeah was us and yes it was me that broke my chain! Give us a shout when you get back we'll organise something