London Calling
Comments
-
Hmm, the downhill bits...
"All routes are graded ‘extreme’, with small, medium and large features. Full face helmet, gloves, body armour and a Downhill specific bike are strongly recommended for all trails"
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5S4F38
Okay with the armour and helmet, but don't have the bike (not to mention lack of skills).
Would you be doing it mainly for the DH?0 -
Scotts talk BIG but trails surprisingly not as gnarly as you think. Their tabletops vary in shape to welsh ones though, as they are bigger. Not sure if any of us would attack them at full speeds. Looks as if NWales comes out cheaper and tame but there are Climach-X and the likes on offer. Obviously we have to ride all Blacks first as a warm up then maybe do some Red's for photos and scenery.
Elbow+Knee pads on order, don't think you will really need FF. CYB is like never ending BKB with few rocks really.What could have been (Video)
I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though0 -
deadkenny wrote:Hmm, the downhill bits...
"All routes are graded ‘extreme’, with small, medium and large features. Full face helmet, gloves, body armour and a Downhill specific bike are strongly recommended for all trails"
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5S4F38
Okay with the armour and helmet, but don't have the bike (not to mention lack of skills).
Would you be doing it mainly for the DH?
DK want to borrow the enduro if its still there? Its Totally DH/bullet proof. Or rent a dh bike?
body armour left it in france... I ll get it mailed across.
extrem depends on your speed and they must have cwm carn style chiken runs.specialized enduro 06 gone snif
RS Lyrik U-turn sold
Mondraker Dune XR
My Megavalanche qualifier : http://vimeo.com/150940200 -
gents seeing as i have been to both areas here is my opinion.
Northwales good.
CYB not as good in my opinion as Afan but similar in terms of tech with several trails, severity really about length of trail not so much the sections.
We also did
Llandegla, which is a cool blast not techy but fun with few tabletops . berms etc.
marin trail ok excellent ending but no real knarl.
Climax ok ride to much fire road but not long so its ok but the end is superb and once of the better bits of single track i have done at a trail centre.
Scotland
Glentress, did the red and black, in my opinion the black is black only due to length.
i would suggest looking at the map of the place and you can do parts of the black and red by chosing the sections, we did 2 days here and did this on the second.
I love glentress, you are looking a lovely flowing trails with some stunts thrown in ( all fairly small) and for added knarl there is the freeride area.
red trail is excellent but short so i would add in parts for the black to extend.
inners, only did the XC but this is fantastic, it is an all up then all down trail, the down being part of one of the downhill tracks, it rocks. all the stunts are optional.
You can do uplift and do the down hill as well, but check the website ( link on seven stanes website) for when they are running this.
The above trails are the only uk trails that are better than whites level and the skyline last section , in my opinion.
Kiroughtree black, hard epic ride with some fantastic sections if you do the black, mcmoab is cool. this is a long ride and is very up and down, i loved this but it will not be everyones taste.
we stayed in peebles at a place called the cross keys hotel, cheap, with pub, not far from glentress.
Good website for trail centre reviews is more dirt . com
I will be going to scotland again next year i enjoyed it so much.
I think you are mental going in autum or winter Hopefully you luck out with the weather.Santa Cruz Nomad.0 -
popstar wrote:Scotts talk BIG but trails surprisingly not as gnarly as you think. Their tabletops vary in shape to welsh ones though, as they are bigger. Not sure if any of us would attack them at full speeds. Looks as if NWales comes out cheaper and tame but there are Climach-X and the likes on offer. Obviously we have to ride all Blacks first as a warm up then maybe do some Red's for photos and scenery.
Elbow+Knee pads on order, don't think you will really need FF. CYB is like never ending BKB with few rocks really.
DK you would be fine, popstar is correct nothing major. The downhills will be diffrent but having seen the inners stuff again not mental if you pick your lines.
Knee pads main thing and probably elbow. i have some you could borrow.
As with most UK trail centre fare the websites talk it up to stop accidents and HSE would not allow it to be insane, most uk black would come out at red in say canada.
Also in the example of the red at glentress it is more techy than some blacks i have done, but not that long and most of the tech comes if you hit the jumps , which are mostly out of the main line of the trail.Santa Cruz Nomad.0 -
Sounds great, but Cooldad will say no
@Bungalistic - Ta for the link, but I've get the DHX air, and the newer model that only has propedal on and off.And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
05 Spesh Enduro Expert
05 Trek 1000 Custom build
Speedily Singular Thingy0 -
following Richards description... i vote Scotland...
get a set of super tacky if its too wet. and off you go.
The vids dont look that bad to need full body armor.specialized enduro 06 gone snif
RS Lyrik U-turn sold
Mondraker Dune XR
My Megavalanche qualifier : http://vimeo.com/150940200 -
Damn, I'd kill to go Scotland but as of yet I'm still bikeless!0
-
CYB's MBR route has seen some overhaul, wouldn't say it is so tame these days. On first week it has seen few ambulance helicopters according to regulars on bikeradar. Penmachno definitely would cater for aggresive XC, while Marin as a ride before breakfast.
Scotland obviously is another beast, Inners would be the choice but I hear the ultimate Gnarl awaits in Glencoe.
Better to talk about trip in person, ...What could have been (Video)
I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though0 -
supra-man wrote:following Richards description... i vote Scotland...
get a set of super tacky if its too wet. and off you go.
The vids dont look that bad to need full body armor.
If it rains like it can you will need scuba diving gear
Like said mental for even suggesting autum/winter riding in scotlandSanta Cruz Nomad.0 -
SWales or NWales looks more reasonable travel and cost wise. Rich is right on this one.What could have been (Video)
I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though0 -
popstar wrote:SWales or NWales looks more reasonable travel and cost wise. Rich is right on this one.
And for that matter north wales is also for mentalists in the winter /autum.
When we went to Scotland we flew and then hired a van for driving from airport and as a base vehicle ( it also turned into a shuttle on the last day), in north wales we were lucky as went in April and had good weather.
Do not get me wrong Scotland is awesome but North wales is still excellent, just not as good IMO.
Either way you will have a blast !!!Santa Cruz Nomad.0 -
popstar wrote:SWales or NWales looks more reasonable travel and cost wise. Rich is right on this one.
Hey ,
Sorry I couldn't bring the bars down peaslake last week. Should be alright this week if there's a SH meet up. Got 2 bars both in excess of 700mm. Happy to bring a pair down if you want to try 'em,0 -
Not sure if I can make it this weekend, only if it was after lunch ride. Working like a slave.What could have been (Video)
I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though0 -
popstar wrote:SWales or NWales looks more reasonable travel and cost wise. Rich is right on this one.
cut down on the cigars and beers for a bit.
probably easy jet and rental van could be cheaper. advantage with the car is the last min change if its really rubbish or windy.
scotland , wales same fight.... it ll be cold and wet.
I might actually get my wet suit out.specialized enduro 06 gone snif
RS Lyrik U-turn sold
Mondraker Dune XR
My Megavalanche qualifier : http://vimeo.com/150940200 -
popstar wrote:Not sure if I can make it this weekend, only if it was after lunch ride. Working like a slave.
My new Specialized 29er ain't arriving till the 6th Dec, gonna fit it with the widest bars ever - Renthal fatbar - 750mm
Right now I'm working like a slave to pay for the new steed.0 -
thel33ter wrote:Sounds great, but Cooldad will say no
Mmmmm let me think about that.
No.
Unless you want to treat me for my Xmas present.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
supra-man wrote:popstar wrote:SWales or NWales looks more reasonable travel and cost wise. Rich is right on this one.
cut down on the cigars and beers for a bit.
probably easy jet and rental van could be cheaper. advantage with the car is the last min change if its really rubbish or windy.
scotland , wales same fight.... it ll be cold and wet.
I might actually get my wet suit out.
If you look at flying look at BA flights, slightly more expensive but you get your bikes on for free up to 35KG in weight, easyjet you get 12kg allowance so will pay extra of about £60 to £80 dependant on weight, makes that cheap flight less so ( i do work at gatwick ) We used thrifty the van was about £100, what we did was have some fly and some who wanted to drive, even those that drove paid some towards the van as it became the support vehicle, we also put some of our stuff in their cars on way up to keep the weight down for the flight.Santa Cruz Nomad.0 -
Naveed wrote:popstar wrote:Not sure if I can make it this weekend, only if it was after lunch ride. Working like a slave.
My new Specialized 29er ain't arriving till the 6th Dec, gonna fit it with the widest bars ever - Renthal fatbar - 750mm
Right now I'm working like a slave to pay for the new steed.
cheatSanta Cruz Nomad.0 -
popstar wrote:Not sure if I can make it this weekend, only if it was after lunch ride. Working like a slave.
saturday riding at 14.30 if your interestedSanta Cruz Nomad.0 -
Richard2118 wrote:If you look at flying look at BA flights, slightly more expensive but you get your bikes on for free up to 35KG in weight0
-
I won't be able to make it at 14.30 Saturday. Shame.What could have been (Video)
I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though0 -
deadkenny wrote:Richard2118 wrote:If you look at flying look at BA flights, slightly more expensive but you get your bikes on for free up to 35KG in weight
it was last time i checked although you are right its likely to change. even so check out all the airlines allowance before you book as makes a huge diffrence.
Easy are crooks with baggage so be careful.Santa Cruz Nomad.0 -
Same as Ryanair (and they suck even more as you have to get to Stansted!)0
-
My vote goes to Scotland if not just for the fact I've never been there! As for flights - I paid £20 to get my bike on an Easyjet plane back from Milan, no hassle no fuss. But if driving worked out cheaper I don't mind doing it. What's happening this weekend?2009 Marin Wolf Ridge 6.90
-
Plaisir wrote:My vote goes to Scotland if not just for the fact I've never been there! As for flights - I paid £20 to get my bike on an Easyjet plane back from Milan, no hassle no fuss. But if driving worked out cheaper I don't mind doing it. What's happening this weekend?
Scotland for me too.
Fancy Aston hill this weekend?? as Cwmcarn is out?specialized enduro 06 gone snif
RS Lyrik U-turn sold
Mondraker Dune XR
My Megavalanche qualifier : http://vimeo.com/150940200 -
Scotland is just fine in the winter I used to ride there all the time. Many of the trail centres are in woods so you don't get blown about by any wind and the trails only get really waterlogged after very heavy rain, even in the wet they roll well still as it's mostly hard packed surface.
Glentress is overhyped but still quite good, red route is quite short but has some nice sections and you can always do the black or go play on the jumps after your ride.
Innerleithen is just brilliant though, pretty hard initial climb but once you're at the top the only way is down and the downs are really really good, so good I pushed over an hour to the top of 'make or brake' just to ride the full freeride style trail.
You've also got all the other trail centres down near dumfries, Ae, Mabie, Dalbeattie.
Really looking forward to going back and riding these old favourites again0 -
Only concern with Scotland in November is the current plunging temperatures. They have proper winter up there, not like down here. Bet they still ride in a t-shirt though.
What happened to Cwm? Not that I think I could have made it anyway, at least not if it was Saturday. Haven't got stuff sorted out anyway. Want to do some changes to the bike and get pads, FF etc.
Will be out somewhere Sunday, probably Surrey Hills as usual.0 -
Cwm carn out, as there were no more uplifts available since last monday...specialized enduro 06 gone snif
RS Lyrik U-turn sold
Mondraker Dune XR
My Megavalanche qualifier : http://vimeo.com/150940200 -
deadkenny wrote:Only concern with Scotland in November is the current plunging temperatures. They have proper winter up there, not like down here. Bet they still ride in a t-shirt though.
Thermal T, top/jacket & shorts should be plenty maybe even too warm for some. On nice sunny days you can get away with wearing a t-shirt yeah, I used to wear a helly hansen thermal with t on top and was ok a lot of the time. Best thing about this time of year in scotland is all the midges are gone.0