London Calling

Anonymous

Wales Sat or Sun is good so far. Just need to get a good balance for the whole driving lark. As before, I can take one extra with bike in the back. Or I can meet up at someone else's if they've got space.

P.S. got an offer of a tour from someone on mtbbritain forums around Caesars Camp area which is Aldershot/Fleet way. Dates possible are evenings on the 22nd, 26th, or daytime on the 31st. Though 22nd is this Thursday and I may not be out of the office until 7pm (though it would take me 2 minutes to get there), 26th looks like S.Wales, and 31st was proposed for skillz course?

Anyway, maybe other opportunities will come up in August, or we can check it out ourselves. I think some here may have been over there for race events?

popstar

This Thursday I could join the venture.

supra-man

How many are we for cwm carn? Cars?

popstar

As it stands Popstar, Dkenny, Supraman, Bungalistic. My car is ruled out atm, due to MOT issues. Atz doesn't sound too optimistic somehow. Jonni Li on other hand did invite to Aston Hill, but group somehow leans towards wonderfull XC of Afan.

Can't tell exactly how many riders do we have really, Atz+Dkenny in 1car while Popstar+Supra+Bungalistic + rack the other one. But that's a prediction. Actually I don't even know where people want to go Cwmcarn-Afan?

Anonymous

Afan would get my vote, just because I did Cwmcarn last time. However as said, it is a bit further to go.

I'm happy with either. Aston as third place runner up option.

If Cwmcarn I may get a full face this time.

Or if all else fails, back to SH, or I can show around the new bits I know on Tunnel Hill / Porridgepot.

Basically, just provide me with a hill

Atz

I need to check with Mrs Atz to make sure we don't have plans given we've just got back from abroad. If not, I'd be up for it but I guess my preference is more towards Cwmcarn than afan, otherwise it's going to be a LONG day.

supra-man

so i say cwm carn first choice. then afan or a split chicksands aston hill sounds like a good idea. im not fussy

then as before cars i can drive but can take 2 bikes in the car, unless your bike rack can be flattened to go under or goes over boot spoiler ( ive seen quite a few that work even on subaru...). we ll have to try yours. some racks are fine and others not.

plaisir is not riding?

bungalistic

I'd be more up for Aston Hill actually, as it's closer and cheaper since i'm skint once again till payday. Think Larjones is coming with this sunday so i'll see what he reckons.

smallred

just saw the pics of Helter's Charge Glad you're in better shape than the bike, man!

Only got to AH today in the end, too wrecked from the w/e to go yesterday. That was my first time going there to do the DH, just did some of the XC loop before which I didn't like to much (in the wet, too rooty & frustrating and the stock tyres I still had on the Fuel just don't clear mud so no traction for climbing). I've not done proper DH runs before, just some steepish stuff in the Surrey Hills would be the closest I guess, so 'twas a bit of a challenge, After a bit of a ludicrous start (struggling down the black run for far too long before realising it probably couldn't be described as 'red' and that my wimmin's navigation skillz had therefore shown me up). :oops: Anyway, found the red run (duh). Got caught out by the same 2 sections the first 2 runs (straightlining one, falling off on another), but got down it OK after that (albeit damn slow round those berms, tighter than I'm used to). Can't say I've nailed it, but good fun though - my legs gave up before my will did! Can't wait to go back now & get to know it better. Shite forecast for the rest of the week though. I'm staying far away in the wet, I'm way too crap for that at this stage

Sounds like you guys have a busy week & weekend underway - enough with the bike casualties now :shock: (unless someone else reeeeally wants an excuse for spending moolah on a new ride!)

popstar

OMG how come Smallred see Helters wreck? DKenny please upload pictures. Trying to fix car ontime before MOT then can certainly confirm about trip, just to steer things up my vote goes to Afan W2 affair. Aston Hill sounds tempting.

Atz

The pictures were on this thread mate

thel33ter

deadkenny wrote:

A good late afternoon ride. Just a quick play around Redlands. Two casualties... both bikes

cooldad and his rear mech with temporary rubber band fix!

and then Helter's Bike vs Tree competition...






Wales - I'm flexible on the days but it can only be the weekend. Can't do Friday.

Atz - A *maybe* for Swinley in the week, but it's looking unlikely at the moment due to deadlines to meet at work so late days.

There ya go

Which Aston Hill is it? Cause google maps sent me to Australia and I assume thats not it.

bungalistic

It's this Aston Hill

Plaisir

Looks like I'll be around this sunday, which day are you guys aiming to head somewhere?

Atz

Seems like Sunday is preferred. Location is the thing we're struggling to work out between us but we have everything from Aston Hill to Cwmcarn or Afan on the table.

supra-man

so if i resume first choices;
atz : cwm carn
DK: afan
Popstar afan
Me cwm carn
Bungalistic: aston hill
plaisir ??

exploring aston hill is also very tempting and if wales doesnt work out ill be happy at aston


why not do aston?? as we ve all done the others once?
correct me if i am wrong:




from next week i can do mid week rides.... at last

Atz

I'd be up for Aston, especially if Bungalistic is going to have issues getting to Wales this weekend.

Jedi

what day you going to aston hill? i may be able to come too for a ride

supra-man

it would be sunday possibly, not fixed decision yet.

we will see what majority thinks

LarJones

I've got a mate coming up for the weekend so we're going to be riding all weekend at various locations within driving distance from London. Pretty sure Aston Hill is going to feature somewhere along the way as it sounds promising.

Anonymous

So are we saying Aston then?

What about the rest of the Woking massive, cooldad, thel33ter and co? It's about an hours drive from Woking according to Google.

How does the charge work at Aston though? Is that each, or per car, and can we get group discounts?

Atz

I think it's £6 per person rather than per car or whatever.

Plaisir

My vote personally would be cwm Carn, would be me and two of my mates so as it stands I don't have any extra room in the car. That could well change though... To be honest though I'll go anywhere

supra-man

ok so now seems it comes down to cwm carn or aston

we are getting some where slowly

popstar

Sunday and Aston Hill sounds new, would be very tempted to see Jedi too if the Sensei comes. Jonni Li is regular and bombing trails there too, would be very interesting to compare it to Cwmcarn and some rad trails in SH.

It would be a shame to lose SWales trip but Aston isn't too far to drive, very tempted to see how rad downhillers ride, hehh so much to learn.

supra-man

so i feel popstar in his soul is for wales, cwmcarn??
and we go to aston next week end, and explore mid week when empty???

as wales was initial idea.

popstar

After researching a bit about Aston, it does sound as if it will serve all cravings of downhillers and relentless junkies. There is even XC loop with plenty of climbs for DKenny, northshore for Bungalustic and a nice sunny spot for me to film all radness.

Actually it's closer for us WLondoners than Swinley forest, (37miles drive oop north). Meeting up with Jedi would sweeten up the deal, I spit on SWales trip from my comfy chair ... it's boring down there.

smallred

Aston Hill is 6 quid per person - you can book a day pass on the website (rideastonhill.co.uk) and print off a receipt. If a ranger is about he'll ask you to show it. Not sure if there's one there all day on Sat or what, only been weekdays and they seem to just pop in now & then. If you decide to join within a week of booking a day pass you get your 6 squids refunded, and associate membership only costs 45 (-6) so if you plan on going more than once every 2 months it works out to be worth joining!

There are 4 DH runs and a cross country (can be broken into a few shorter loops). Well I thought so anyway. My fitness level Vs the size of my arse means I found some of the climbs really evil. I guess that's why properl XC peeps are all whippets!

There's nothing on site except a portaloo - I've heard rumours of a caff somewhere round about but I've yet to find it.

Hope that's useful. Not been there much, but those are answers I had about the place initially!

Watch out for golfers with bad aim, and deer if you go

smallred

ohh I'm jealous of all you westerners. Being in east London makes getting to Wales a right pain in the arse. Even getting to the Surrey Hills can take 2.5 hours depending on traffic! And Eppig Forest is boring... (unless someone knoew any interesting bits hidden away, cos I've failed to find any?!)

smallred

will be heading to AH again, with some new tyres to replace the shitty stock Bontragers on the Fuel - this new rubber is going to magic some talent/competence into me (I paid muchos dollars extra for that option).