London Calling

cooldad

ThePriory1978 wrote:

Anybody else riding the Gorrick Brass Monkeys Enduro race event this Sunday?
Just over the way from Swinley Forest at Porridgepot Hill.
4 hours of 7 mile race laps in the freezing cold

I ride for fun so the answer would be NO.

gazhurst

ThePriory1978 wrote:

Anybody else riding the Gorrick Brass Monkeys Enduro race event this Sunday?
Just over the way from Swinley Forest at Porridgepot Hill.
4 hours of 7 mile race laps in the freezing cold

I am however I'm in the 2 hour category

sobol

I ride Lapierre Spicy 316 with 160mm suspension and no lock out.
I'm not as fit as I wish to be, so I feel comfortable at tail of the riding group.

Oh and I'm not of those who wake up before c-o-c-k a doodle doo.

cooldad wrote:

I was considering Sunday - plenty of other singletrack, but as I've no idea what your bike is, no idea what would be suitable.

Anonymous

sobol wrote:

I ride Lapierre Spicy 316 with 160mm suspension and no lock out.
I'm not as fit as I wish to be, so I feel comfortable at tail of the riding group.

Oh and I'm not of those who wake up before c-o-c-k a doodle doo.

Bike is great, fitness matches me by the sound of it, comfortable at the back - that's me, don't like early starts - yep.

Perfect for our rides (or how I like them anyway)

benpinnick

Yep, 160mm Spicy, that will fit right in with the Nomads, Blur LTs, Enduros and other inappropriately long travel bikes we like to bounce around on

benpinnick

So, I am going to meet with Jon from Gorrick and discuss the improvements that could be made with regards to Swinley's trail mapping etc., and look at some ideas. Any actually constructive ideas welcomed....

gazhurst

Ben,

Thanks for the email...much appreciated. Now to join you for a guided loop too

sobol

Ben
It be great if they agree. Perhaps it will be small rock that starts the avalanche of changes.

As to riding, it seems that I have been "voluntarily" signed in for visiting Santa's cave in Westfield with my daughter.
Which means either I'm home by 13:50 on Sunday or I can spend whole Saturday.

benpinnick wrote:

So, I am going to meet with Jon from Gorrick and discuss the improvements that could be made with regards to Swinley's trail mapping etc., and look at some ideas. Any actually constructive ideas welcomed....

sobol

I find 160mm too big for most of stuff in Swinley.
Although I remember there are some areas where DH suspension wouldn't be out of order, especially in jump area.
I can't remember what's the name of it.

benpinnick wrote:

Yep, 160mm Spicy, that will fit right in with the Nomads, Blur LTs, Enduros and other inappropriately long travel bikes we like to bounce around on

benpinnick

sobol wrote:

I find 160mm too big for most of stuff in Swinley.
Although I remember there are some areas where DH suspension wouldn't be out of order, especially in jump area.
I can't remember what's the name of it.

benpinnick wrote:

Yep, 160mm Spicy, that will fit right in with the Nomads, Blur LTs, Enduros and other inappropriately long travel bikes we like to bounce around on

Quite, Swinley needs nothing more than a hardtail really, I just happen to love riding my Blur, so leave the HT at home. The Jumps are in the imaginatively named Jump Gulley...

benpinnick

gazhurst wrote:

Ben,

Thanks for the email...much appreciated. Now to join you for a guided loop too

Im going to try and get out on Sunday, if anyone fancies joining me... Probably do an extended loop of about 15 miles.

cooldad

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

natrix

benpinnick wrote:

So, I am going to meet with Jon from Gorrick and discuss the improvements that could be made with regards to Swinley's trail mapping etc., and look at some ideas. Any actually constructive ideas welcomed....

Some time ago there was talk of a Swinley Forest Cycling website, which would explain why the trails aren't signed, why there isn't a trail map available, etc, etc. I think that this would be a good idea and should be realistically achievable in the short term. The website address could be on the permits maybe?

Anonymous

sobol wrote:

I find 160mm too big for most of stuff in Swinley.
Although I remember there are some areas where DH suspension wouldn't be out of order, especially in jump area.
I can't remember what's the name of it.

Jump gully is fine with hard tails and BMXs. Bouncy bike is comfy though, especially on the braking bumps down some of the trails.

The drops can benefit from big kit. The ones you posted are where the DHiller guys in the full gear play around (must be a killer for them to walk their DH rigs all that way ).

sobol

Kenny,

Yup, those are from the drop off area. I've never managed to do the middle one, especially after seeing my friend brake his hand just after landing of it. You're quite right, I've seen bmx guys pulling out much bigger jumps then I was ever able on freeride bike, they're amazing kids

I remember that at the top right there is nice single track that splits to left and right. The right one has been there for long time, left one was added about 1,5year ago. Anyone remember their name?

deadkenny wrote:

Jump gully is fine with hard tails and BMXs. Bouncy bike is comfy though, especially on the braking bumps down some of the trails.

The drops can benefit from big kit. The ones you posted are where the DHiller guys in the full gear play around (must be a killer for them to walk their DH rigs all that way ).

DHA987S

Cheers for the replies re fitness. Ride for run too so sounds like I will fit in. Can't make this weekend but will aim to come along over the coming weeks.

benpinnick

cooldad wrote:

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

Controversially, I was thinking afternoon! Far more civil.

sobol

I'm out then for Sunday then, I can only do 9 am to 1 pm.

benpinnick wrote:

cooldad wrote:

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

Controversially, I was thinking afternoon! Far more civil.

cooldad

benpinnick wrote:

cooldad wrote:

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

Controversially, I was thinking afternoon! Far more civil.

I am aghast, agog and amazed.

pieman71

Greetings all,
anyone round for saturday, unfortunatley can't do sunday.
Will have the 7 year old cross country hardtail, now made a little more playeeeee, back from shop and has not been ridden fo nearly 2 years so could be interesting.

Cheers

cooldad

I might manage Saturday as well, maybe, hopefully.

benpinnick

cooldad wrote:

benpinnick wrote:

cooldad wrote:

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

Controversially, I was thinking afternoon! Far more civil.

I am aghast, agog and amazed.

Its amazing I know. I don't mind morning either, I just thought Cooldad might like a lie in.

cooldad

benpinnick wrote:

cooldad wrote:

benpinnick wrote:

cooldad wrote:

I could manage that. Presume it will be some uncivilised anti social hour?

Controversially, I was thinking afternoon! Far more civil.

I am aghast, agog and amazed.

Its amazing I know. I don't mind morning either, I just thought Cooldad might like a lie in.

If Sobol would like a ride, and you can make it, I'll drag my bones out specially.
9 on a Sunday is pushing it a bit though. What about church (or in my case bacon)?

sobol

I'm really really sorry but I can't miss my daughter's visit to Santa's cave.
Saturday any time or Sunday morning is the only option for me.
Let me know if you can do it.

cooldad wrote:

If Sobol would like a ride, and you can make it, I'll drag my bones out specially.
9 on a Sunday is pushing it a bit though. What about church (or in my case bacon)?

benpinnick

sobol wrote:

I'm really really sorry but I can't miss my daughter's visit to Santa's cave.
Saturday any time or Sunday morning is the only option for me.
Let me know if you can do it.

cooldad wrote:

If Sobol would like a ride, and you can make it, I'll drag my bones out specially.
9 on a Sunday is pushing it a bit though. What about church (or in my case bacon)?

I face the same daughter related issues, although shes too young for Santa's cave right now. Saturday or Sunday, probably be equally unpopluar with the wife either way

sobol

So any decisions yet?

benpinnick wrote:

I face the same daughter related issues, although shes too young for Santa's cave right now. Saturday or Sunday, probably be equally unpopluar with the wife either way

benpinnick

sobol wrote:

So any decisions yet?

benpinnick wrote:

I face the same daughter related issues, although shes too young for Santa's cave right now. Saturday or Sunday, probably be equally unpopluar with the wife either way

Sorry, cant be certain now as a couple of things (Winter Carnival nearby plus vistor on Sunday) are getting in the way of good riding. I'll post tomorrow morning my plans, anyone who can join is welcome. CD/sobol if you post what you're up to I'll try and come along.

Anonymous

Right. We've got things going on over in the FB group and not sure what here.

My suggestion is...

Peaslake 10am tomorrow with Supra (doesn't post much here these days), Nav and maybe others.

Swinley Sunday @ sometime, perhaps. Maybe I'll just go there anyway and see who turns up.

sobol

Ben,
Would 10 or 11 tomorrow at Swinley lookout be ok?

Cooldad, are you coming?

benpinnick wrote:

sobol wrote:

So any decisions yet?

benpinnick wrote:

I face the same daughter related issues, although shes too young for Santa's cave right now. Saturday or Sunday, probably be equally unpopluar with the wife either way

Sorry, cant be certain now as a couple of things (Winter Carnival nearby plus vistor on Sunday) are getting in the way of good riding. I'll post tomorrow morning my plans, anyone who can join is welcome. CD/sobol if you post what you're up to I'll try and come along.

cooldad

I can't do tomorrow any more - thel33ter is playing rugby and I have to take him.
I'm fine for Swinley on Sunday though, will fit in with time.