London Calling

milko9000

benpinnick wrote:

I really only know Walking Bottom carpark well (or Gomshall station). Would WB work?

I think WB is pretty much where I mean too actually.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Walking ... m&t=h&z=18

On that view, I normally park just where it says 'Pond Lane' north of the Hurtwood Inn. Free and always had a space. But yeah, anywhere around there suits me. I'll PM my mobile and confirm on here later on if I can make it or not. Wow I hope so, this week can sod right off! A bit of cheeky biking would cure everything.

benpinnick

Lets hop you can make it. Well look like a right pair on matching Turquoise Yetis. Might bring the real camera out with me for some photos to contribute to the obligatory post demo bike review.

Anonymous

Will play it by ear. Heavy rain early morning turning to sleet then might clear up. Walking Bottom is my usual choice to start from though, and weather aside 11 is fine.

benpinnick

Snow is good for you! You know you want to!

Anonymous

Snow would be great. Unfortunately got deliveries coming tomorrow now, though if there's a spec of snow then they probably won't turn up.

milko9000

Right, I'm IN. Unless this snow 'n rain turns really really antisocial at least. Ben, you've got my number but I shall aim to be there for 11 and I'll probably be the only other bloke on a turquoise SB-66

benpinnick

Wow that was filthy. Surrey hills is completely bogged down under snow melt and rain. Its utterly filthy up there, and when the biting wind hits with the cold water splashed all over you, its quite special. Fun though.

cooldad

Sounds lovely. How was the bike?
I might have a bash at Swinley this weekend and see if the ribs hold up.
Nothing too strenuous or early. Any takers?

benpinnick

The bike was OK, not convinced the SB stands for super bike though. It needs some work before I think I would invest in one, but a promising start.

milko9000

I second that being a cold 'n filthy ride! Sure beat working though. Given me some food for thought on the shock tuning too, although to be honest on a ride like that I'm not sure I can give it a proper going over anyway. Too busy hoping the next puddle doesn't do this to me! But yeah, I still feel like it could work better on the bumpy descents. That said, it's my technique needs the most work by far so I've nothing to complain about.

Looks like I'm gonna hit Stonor for a Chilterns loop tomorrow. Will probably be a physical wreck by Sunday.

Anonymous

Sunday - Swinley pootle @ 11 (meet at gate by Go Ape) if anyone's interested.

pieman71

sunday sounds good for 11, hopefully weather will hold. Dk, txt me if any changes.

cooldad

On for 11. Only change will be if DK arrives on time.

cooldad

Which obviously he didn't. No surprise. Decent little ride, almost perfect conditions, clear, sunny and just muddy enough to keep it interesting.

Andy Dobson

Hi people, long time not here.

Anyone got some time off between Xmas and New Year to get out and ride? I've been doing regular rides with a buddy who lives just outside Cranleigh and we've worked out a good route to get from his house to WB car park with only 3 managable but hard road climbs interjected with some singletrack breaks and a final fast run from the carpark up near the Windmill Pub down to WB. We then normally do Radnor Road and back down BKB before a cuppa and cake at the shop. The road climb back up to Winterfold and then trails back to where Santa Fir is on the Shamley Green road for a final mile or so back to his. 14 miles in total with a good mix of climbs and trails.

Be nice to meet up and actually ride with you guys as the last time we met up I had tried to remove my thumb with the front disc and had to cry off after the first trail section and head for home again :oops: .

Booked in with Tony "Jedi" Doyle for one of his training days on the 4th Feb and can't wait. I know some of you have done a day with Tony and would like to get some feedback before heading up there.

Spud.

cooldad

I remember that. Blood oozing. I'm off from Thursday so we'll organise something.

gazhurst

Im off between 26th and 2nd...Im certainly up for something

benpinnick

gazhurst wrote:

Im off between 26th and 2nd...Im certainly up for something

Im off from the 28th to the 2nd (including 'shopping' days)... My brother in law is also around and rides, so I expect we'll make more than one visit to Swinley during that time.

Atz

I'm off but I won't be back in the UK so riding is out. However if anyone wants to risk instant death* by overshooting corners in the Grunewald, let me know, Luxembourg is waiting.

* It's not actual instant death, there's every chance you'll survive the fall and die over a few hours because nobody will ever find you down there

Curious Yellow

Don't know the area as well as the others, but I'm free from the 27th to the 2nd. Would be good to fit some rides in.

cooldad

Looks like enough of us randomly around to get some rides in.
Except for Atz, who will probably be dying of exposure in a ravine.

Andy Dobson

That's cool. Peaslake I can ride to but happy to do Swinley also. Only ever ridden Swinley with the family in tow so never really discovered the decent rides and trails over there. Mind you, after hearing about DK's off at Swinley maybe I'll leave it until Jedi has worked he's magic. Don't need any more broken bones or bikes.

benpinnick

I think swinley can be ridden without broken bones!

Andy Dobson

I think DK may have a differing opinion on that statement.

Atz

THAT trip was when DK attempted something that in hindsight he doesn't understand why he tried. It's unlikely to be compulsory even if they do go and ride it, and that even seems unlikely.

Anonymous

I've done plenty of places that are far more risky generally than Swinley. Just typical really doing it somewhere tame. That said the drops are like any such anywhere and I can't do drops. That one at the viewpoint on winterfold would send me to hospital for sure also, quite similar. Just I haven't risked it. Worse now I'e seen someone take a nice smash on it.

Andy Dobson

Sounds like you need some "Jedi" magic DK. I'll let you know how the course goes if we don't meet up before 4th Feb.

I too suffer from dropitis (the fear of loosing teeth on handlebars/terrafirma) to the point where I can't ride through that big dip at the start of BKB! That's why I booked a UKBS course to get over this phobia and start being able to call myself a mountain biker without having to cross my fingers behind my back.

You out to play at all between now and 3rd Jan DK?

Andy Dobson

Hey Tim...Just spotted that you now have a Nomad. How do you like it?

Atz

Few of us have been to visit Jedi. Definitely recommended. I'm still not totally happy with drops but jumps are a lot better and my overall speed and flow is a lot better.

benpinnick

Andy Dobson wrote:

Hey Tim...Just spotted that you now have a Nomad. How do you like it?

Mountain trax have a medium Nomad on special right now.... if anyone's interested.