London Calling

benpinnick

minley1 wrote:

Yes, go there a lot, there are a lot of nice tracks (XC type),some of the course of the Tourq in you sleep is still marked out, rode some of it this evening.

That marking was for the Army race that was there on Wednesday. Not the best layout marking Ive ever seen! Hopefully the Army boys knew what they were doing.

benpinnick

For you Jameister, head down the M3, off at J4a and follow signs to Yateley/Reading. Follow the road up the hill for about a mile, past the Army Base. At the top, you'll come to a big roundabout, pull off here onto the hardstanding before the first exit (literally on the roundabout) and park up. Follow the main trail into the forest and turn right after about 30 yards onto a bridleway sized trail. Go down there and you'll pass a marked trail joining the direction your heading, go straight on past this staying on the main trail. When you can see the road at the end, look for another marked trail diving off to the left. Follow this and then just stick with it - theres loads to explore. Have fun.

JoeGoodson

does anybody know any jump section in SH ? we will be there for the first time tomorrow .

jameister

benpinnick wrote:

For you Jameister, head down the M3, off at J4a and follow signs to Yateley/Reading. Follow the road up the hill for about a mile, past the Army Base. At the top, you'll come to a big roundabout, pull off here onto the hardstanding before the first exit (literally on the roundabout) and park up. Follow the main trail into the forest and turn right after about 30 yards onto a bridleway sized trail. Go down there and you'll pass a marked trail joining the direction your heading, go straight on past this staying on the main trail. When you can see the road at the end, look for another marked trail diving off to the left. Follow this and then just stick with it - theres loads to explore. Have fun.

Cool, thanks Ben, will give this ago tomorrow. I'm about Sunday if your around?

benpinnick

Probably will be - not 100% sure.

benpinnick

JoeGoodson wrote:

does anybody know any jump section in SH ? we will be there for the first time tomorrow .

I dont think there are any. SH is private land and they are pretty hot on tearing down anything thats not a sanctioned trail.

Mr_B1989

@Ben - Got next Wednesday off now and yep i caught the train last time, i think the first train gets into crowthorne sometime after 6.30am.

@others - Where are people planning on going this weekend? no car but i don't mind riding from stations.

@Joe leith hill has small area called the quarry with some jumps, and others hidden around on trails (aka not meant to be there) most the main well known trails don't have any.

jameister

Mr_B1989 wrote:

@Ben - Got next Wednesday off now and yep i caught the train last time, i think the first train gets into crowthorne sometime after 6.30am.

@others - Where are people planning on going this weekend? no car but i don't mind riding from stations.

@Joe leith hill has small area called the quarry with some jumps, and others hidden around on trails (aka not meant to be there) most the main well known trails don't have any.

I'm heading over to Minley Sat around 12ish. Sun wouldn't mind doing SH or anything really. Think others are heading over to Swinley for 12ish..

cooldad

Yeah Swinley 12 on Saturday. About half a dozen so far. Meeting at Go Ape gate as usual.
Not sure about Sunday.

Mr_B1989

I'll be heading for swinley at 12 then tomorrow, guessing everyone is meeting at the big center place (discovery center?) only been round a couple of times before.

Edit: if someone could pm me their number incase i get lost, did have cooldads but have a new phone now.

cooldad

Sorted now, but for anyone else, meet under the trees outside the gate at Go Ape.

JoeGoodson

Such an amazing day to swinley forest .. No one got hurt ( first time there ) ... Lovely weather ... Awesome ride and made some friends aswell ... I have to say this place is amazing ... From the center place we first did the left track which was easy but fast enough .. Didn't hesitate at all and at some point i was even slowing down because of the buddies infront of me! Next time i will go for the central track .. i was told its a little bit harder and with some jumps ... Finally a decent way to see my marzocchi bomber in action )

jameister

Minley Woods today, very good singletrack, took a while to suss it out but once explored you find all the best bits recommend to anyone who hasn't been and will be up for that again if anyone else is heading that way.

minley1

Minley for me today too, did'nt get out till 5:00pm though, as you say once you find the trails it's good.
You can actually string a good long ride together, minley woods, over M3 into Fleet pond, then to Cesars Camp, then to Beacon Hill(only need to cross two roads,rest is off road)

jameister

minley1 wrote:

Minley for me today too, did'nt get out till 5:00pm though, as you say once you find the trails it's good.
You can actually string a good long ride together, minley woods, over M3 into Fleet pond, then to Cesars Camp, then to Beacon Hill(only need to cross two roads,rest is off road)

That sounds great, maybe we can meet up for a ride next time when your heading over that way.

minley1

Sounds good, it's less than a mile from my door so I'm there fairly often, next time your planing to be down this way let me know.

benpinnick

Any one out today round my way? Probably not get more than a couple of hours so thinking Swinley (or Minley).

lugsey2k5

So far two of us are off to explore SH at 12 if you have time?

jameister

benpinnick wrote:

Any one out today round my way? Probably not get more than a couple of hours so thinking Swinley (or Minley).

Hey Ben, heading off to SH with lugsey2k5 at 12 you welcome to join but probably bit out our way. BTW Minley was great, can't wait to do that one again.

Anonymous

Posted on FB, but yeah should be there for 12. Usual place Walking Bottom car park it seems.

Going to be hot!

Blind Danny Johnson

Early I know but I haven't been out on the bike in nearly 3 weeks so hoping to have a full and fun day on Sat. Planning a day at Aston Hill. Anyone up for it?

Anonymous

For Aston I need a robust rig and it isn't at the moment, and waiting for parts. Mid October it seems

In other news, this weekend on Sunday is Tour of Britain round the area and for one thing it goes right past my house and second it also goes up into Surrey Hills. The road up past Fly Tipper for example had notices up that it's going that way. Not sure where else. I know it goes over Newlands Corner towards the hills.

ThePriory1978

Havent tried Aston yet, really want to sometime, need to be shown the ropes.

Not sure my bike (150mm) or gnarly skillz are up for the challenge yet.

Probably be Swinley again this weekend if SH is out-of-order due to an event.

Blind Danny Johnson

ThePriory1978 wrote:

Havent tried Aston yet, really want to sometime, need to be shown the ropes.

Not sure my bike (150mm) or gnarly skillz are up for the challenge yet.

Probably be Swinley again this weekend if SH is out-of-order due to an event.

150mm should be fine, I used to ride it on my 140mm Stumpjumper. I'll be there most probably so let me know if you want to join and I can show you the ropes no problem.

deadkenny wrote:

For Aston I need a robust rig and it isn't at the moment, and waiting for parts. Mid October it seems

In other news, this weekend on Sunday is Tour of Britain round the area and for one thing it goes right past my house and second it also goes up into Surrey Hills. The road up past Fly Tipper for example had notices up that it's going that way. Not sure where else. I know it goes over Newlands Corner towards the hills.

What's up with your Nomad? That should be more than enough bike to handle Aston Hill?

benpinnick

Blind Danny Johnson wrote:

150mm should be fine, I used to ride it on my 140mm Stumpjumper. I'll be there most probably so let me know if you want to join and I can show you the ropes no problem.

I used to race on Aston using my Hardtail with 100mm travel on the front!

cooldad

I used to race Aston on a unicycle in full clowns regalia. Blinfolded.

cooldad

The above may be a lie.

Blind Danny Johnson

cooldad wrote:

I used to race Aston on a unicycle in full clowns regalia. Blinfolded.

I think I've seen you there...

benpinnick wrote:

Blind Danny Johnson wrote:

150mm should be fine, I used to ride it on my 140mm Stumpjumper. I'll be there most probably so let me know if you want to join and I can show you the ropes no problem.

I used to race on Aston using my Hardtail with 100mm travel on the front!

I was speaking to a guy there last time who said that he's only a second or two quicker down the black run on his Demo 8 than he is on his 120mm hardtail! Still I'll bet it's a little more comfy on the Demo.

vista

A couple of us are planning to be at Swinley Forest ready to ride about 10.30 at the Go Ape gate if any one wants to join us. Weather sounds good-sunny and 20°.

ThePriory1978

Just a general note:

Most folk know already but just in case.

This weekend will be the last weekend you can park at Swinley Forest/The Look Out car park without being charged.

Charging starts Monday 17th. £2 for four hours. £4 for a full day.