London Calling

Dirtrider

I’m from N wales originally, If I were you I would do Coed Y brenin one day, and do ‘the beast’ trail, as it will take you quite a while, and takes in all the best parts. Then I would probably head up to Llandegla (about 1.5-2 hours away) then next day. It’s near wrexham. Llandegla is much nicer to ride than the Marin (ByC), that would be my plan anyway.

Is anyone riding this Saturday anywhere (North of London especially)? I would be up for getting out with a group if anyone fancies a blast somewhere?

milko9000

Degla is just about doable on the way home, I've done that before. Don't think I'd want to drive from a base near CYB to Degla and then back again, but you could loop it into the trip.

Anonymous

Dirtrider wrote:

Is anyone riding this Saturday anywhere (North of London especially)? I would be up for getting out with a group if anyone fancies a blast somewhere?

I'm "sarf of the river" , so likely if I get out it will be somewhere Surrey-ish given the weather. Swinley, Surrey Hills or maybe even Rogate.

But really is weather dependent. I think anywhere is going to be a total mess. If it's not chucking it down, just have to get out and get muddy.

Oh, and Surrey Hills - Sunday, BKB is closed again and the Peaslake MTBO is on also, so the main car park at Peaslake will be crammed, more than usual for a wet day. Advice is to avoid unless you're involved with the event. Use other car parks at least.

Dirtrider

I was thinking if you say, drive up friday night, stayed near CyB, then did that trail on the saturday. Then drive to wrexham, satyed there overnight on saturday and then did Degla on the sunday, then drive back down.

Degla doesnt take too much out of you, so would be a nice easier ride after doing the beast the day before. Just a suggestion anyway.

Anyway, if anyone is around and about give me a shout, would like to get, even if the weather is looking bad.

benpinnick

Degla is an option I would like to try, and I know BDJ and thel33ter would be big up for that too. Maybe 2 trails at CYB followed by a day at Degla is the way forward.

Anonymous

I should be good for that weekend. Space for one extra if I'm driving.

Thinking B&B kind of stuff myself (I don't do tents... especially in Wales! ).

benpinnick

Yeah, Im not a tent fan either. Im sure we can get a block booking somewhere thats good value without needing to sleeping outdoors.

thel33ter

The Ship Hotel at Dollegau(?) is nice, has good food, and has a decent bike storage place.

Blind Danny Johnson

Sounds like a good plan is forming

milko9000

On the cheap there's this bunkhouse as an option too: http://www.snowdonia-wales.net/acc/bunk/torrent.asp

Given that you can get round Degla in a couple of hours easy while doing all the black segments, if you get up reasonably early on Sunday you can drive there from wherever you stay, do the loop, have a good lunch in the cafe and then head back home. S'what I've done a couple of times anyway.

If you do The Beast at CyB, see if you can skip the crappy bit and save yourself a long pointless fire road climb.

Anonymous

Last time we went there think we skipped the crappy bit too thanks to someone knowing about it. Not sure I'd know where to do that again, though is it somewhere near that little house/cafe? (if I'm even thinking about the right place).


Anyway, this weekend... Sunday! :shock: :shock:. Looks like that's a write off then.

Saturday seems the best chance for least showers. Thinking that Swinley will be a total bog. Once it gets saturated it gets bad especially on the tourist trails. Surrey Hills at least has hills for it to drain down. From stuff I've seen there are big pools sitting in the berms though.

milko9000

It is indeed, but like you I was with a knowledgeable person so more precision than that is beyond me.

Anonymous

So, anyone up for anything at all this weekend? Saturday seems the best option. Some over on MTBB over at Swinley at a bright and early 8.30 for 9. Not a problem for many people, but early for me. Still, might do that, but Swinley will be horrible after this weather.

cooldad

School MTB tomorrow, and they'll probably stay onroad as the teacher (a roadie really) doesn't like getting muddy, plus half the kids struggle to ride at the best of times.
I'm up for Sunday, but if you're right and the weather is horrible, might just hide indoors. Swinley possible.

Blind Danny Johnson

cooldad wrote:

School MTB tomorrow, and they'll probably stay onroad as the teacher (a roadie really) doesn't like getting muddy, plus half the kids struggle to ride at the best of times.
I'm up for Sunday, but if you're right and the weather is horrible, might just hide indoors. Swinley possible.

I'm also up for Sunday but if it's horrible weather I doubt I'll drag myself out.

cooldad

We gave up on school today as well, a few hours on the road in the rain doesn't do it for me. I feigned illness. (cough cough).
Long time since I bunked school.

Anonymous

Really need to get out today. Been stuck inside all week, tomorrow is a write off it seems, so today is the only option. If there's a break or dip in the rain I'm heading out and to hell with it.

Andy Dobson

Just walked the dogs on the Downslink. It's just under water everywhere. If the Downslink is that wet, then SH will be nothing but puddles and deep mud.

Got some new new tyres and my remote for the Gravity Dropper is here as well. Might hide in the shed this weekend, strip, clean and service the bike.

Hasn't stopped raining all day here and it was 'sposed to be good this morning compared to tomorrow.

Best start planning next weekend instead me thinks :roll:

cooldad

And next weekend is a long one. Week of blazing sun will help.

benpinnick

I made it to Swinley for a couple of hours. Actually not too bad. Muddy and puddly, but fresh, cut-through-able mud so not too slow and painful.

Anonymous

Damn, I should have made the effort. Every time I was about to go, it p'd it down. Looking ugly out there now and preparing for my fence to disappear tomorrow.

With lucky, they got it all wrong and it's a fine day tomorrow.

thel33ter

How did the Conti Barons hold up in that kinda mud? Went for a short run over to Swinley and it seemed pretty sloppy.

benpinnick

Pretty well I'd say. Probably as good as the Mud-x. No notable signs of clogging, good grip except on the more polished roots but hey...

Blind Danny Johnson

The most horrible, terrible, stressful London traffic, out of London and then back in nearly, very nearly has crushed my excitement about the fact I've just put a deposit down on a Specialised Status 1. Will pick it up in the week The shop I went to is called Freeborn, it's near guilford, very cool shop and very nice helpful staff. Anyone know it?

It took me about 5hrs round trip to go about 60 miles. I feel emotionally drained...

I'll have the bike for next week when I go to Devon and I'm going to test it out at Gawton which looks amazing. DeadKenny let me know if you'll be around and if you fancy meeting up for a ride.
Now I have an awesome trail bike and an awesome DH/Freeride bike. I feel like one of those blokes with a garage full of expensive sports cars... Sort of...

cooldad

Welcome to my life - I do 70 odd miles a day into south London and back. (Plus whatever I clock up seeing clients) A couple of hours on a good day, A day on a bad day. So FU.
Nice on the bike though. I look forward to seeing you hurtling down a gnarrrly hill under vague control.

Blind Danny Johnson

cooldad wrote:

Welcome to my life - I do 70 odd miles a day into south London and back. (Plus whatever I clock up seeing clients) A couple of hours on a good day, A day on a bad day. So FU.
Nice on the bike though. I look forward to seeing you hurtling down a gnarrrly hill under vague control.

Vague... That's being generous!

Andy Dobson

Blind Danny Johnson wrote:

The most horrible, terrible, stressful London traffic.........

There is no other kind in my almost daily experience

Blind Danny Johnson wrote:

The shop I went to is called Freeborn, it's near guilford, very cool shop and very nice helpful staff. Anyone know it?.........

Yep. I buy about half my stuff there and the other half from Cycleworks in Guildford. Both shops are good with great staff who actually ride.

Blind Danny Johnson wrote:

It took me about 5hrs round trip to go about 60 miles. I feel emotionally drained...

That's not too bad. 7 hours Wednesday to drive from Halfway between Guildford and Horsham to London bridge and back.

Good luck with thew new bike. Looks like a cracker.

Anonymous

7 hours, may as well bike it up the Wey and Thames. Can do that in a few hours. A few pub stops on the way too.

Blind Danny Johnson

I take it no one is going to make it out today?

Andy Dobson

deadkenny wrote:

7 hours, may as well bike it up the Wey and Thames. Can do that in a few hours. A few pub stops on the way too.

Would do that happily but for the 150+Kg of kit needed for the job on site.