Just Got Home!

WisePranker

I've just got back after a few hours riding round Swinley and I can't stop smiling!

I used to do loads of motorbike trackdays and had a great time doing them but I'm honestly starting to think that mountain biking is more fun :shock:

I didn't do a huge distance, only 14 miles according to my bike computer and even then they weren't at a great rate of knots but the fun factor was incredible. I really can't wait to go back out again.

The only downside at the moment is that I've got a filthy bike that needs a wash and I need to figure out how to adjust my derailleurs before I go out again

t0pc4t

Swinley's great isn't it!

LjStronge

lol, excellent - where about did you go mate - do you know any of the trails you did.

I can't get enough of the place and once you know where all the trails are, to me it's MTB heaven

t0pc4t

it's jaded me though, my return to ashton court was just a constant stream of frsutration and complaints when I realised that in comparison to Swinley it's unpleasant and has no flow whatsoever.

Beardface

Swinley is good for a laugh, but if you enjoyed there, you should get over to the Surrey Hills.. the trails there are amazing, and go on for a lot longer. My downside with Swinley was that I found it a bit too congested up near the Labyrinth area for my liking (but I did go on a Saturday..), and that the trails were a bit too short.. as soon as I was getting into the flow of them, they ended

I was disappointed with the Gulley too.. I had heard so much about it, and really, it's only a small selection of jumps, again, way too congested with too many people watching (lol, this makes me nervous, which in turn, can make me fall off!) :oops:

I've ridden Swinley a few times, but probably won't go back, as I live too close to the Surrey Hills and Tunnel/Porridgepot Hills etc.. spoilt for choice!

WisePranker

Stav83 wrote:

Swinley is good for a laugh, but if you enjoyed there, you should get over to the Surrey Hills.. the trails there are amazing, and go on for a lot longer. My downside with Swinley was that I found it a bit too congested up near the Labyrinth area for my liking (but I did go on a Saturday..), and that the trails were a bit too short.. as soon as I was getting into the flow of them, they ended

I was disappointed with the Gulley too.. I had heard so much about it, and really, it's only a small selection of jumps, again, way too congested with too many people watching (lol, this makes me nervous, which in turn, can make me fall off!) :oops:

I've ridden Swinley a few times, but probably won't go back, as I live too close to the Surrey Hills and Tunnel/Porridgepot Hills etc.. spoilt for choice!

I'm going to start heading towards Surrey Hills once I get my fitness up a bit, Swinley suits me for the time being but it's good to know that there's plenty of better trails nearby!

Thankfully for me, I only tend to go there on weekdays as it's easier for me with work so there's very rarely anyone else there. I went to the Gulley last time I was up there but will be avoiding it for the time being after a little me/bike/tree incident, the bruises from which still haven't gone away :shock:

t0pc4t

are you local then WIsePranker?

I'm always up for more riding buddies.

meesterbond

Stav83 wrote:

My downside with Swinley was that I found it a bit too congested up near the Labyrinth area for my liking (but I did go on a Saturday..), and that the trails were a bit too short.. as soon as I was getting into the flow of them, they ended

I've been riding round Swinley for the last 3 years or so and only occasionally go into the 'Expert Mountain Bike' area for that very reason... Plus I don't own the requisite full face helmet, stormtrooper outfit and massive freeride bike that seems to be required for that part!
I've found I can do a good length loop with only a little forest road linking the various other sections together. I still take the odd wrong turn, but that's half the fun - each time you find another little section of singletrack.

That said, I really should make more of an effort to explore the Surrey Hills...

WisePranker

t0pc4t wrote:

are you local then WIsePranker?

I'm always up for more riding buddies.

Not quite local, I'm in Staines so it's only a half hour drive to get there

submityournentries

im in uxbridge and went for the first time on sunday. was soo much fun just mucking around on whatever bits of track i happened to find. cant wait to go back next week

gonna go on weds the 3rd of november as ive got the day off uni, and want to do proper riding, plus for £2 absolute bargin

WisePranker

submityournentries wrote:

im in uxbridge and went for the first time on sunday. was soo much fun just mucking around on whatever bits of track i happened to find. cant wait to go back next week

gonna go on weds the 3rd of november as ive got the day off uni, and want to do proper riding, plus for £2 absolute bargin

I'm supposed to be off work on the 3rd so if I'm heading out there I'll give you a shout.

submityournentries

okey kokey, hopefully see you then then.

Beardface

meesterbond wrote:

Stav83 wrote:

My downside with Swinley was that I found it a bit too congested up near the Labyrinth area for my liking (but I did go on a Saturday..), and that the trails were a bit too short.. as soon as I was getting into the flow of them, they ended

I've been riding round Swinley for the last 3 years or so and only occasionally go into the 'Expert Mountain Bike' area for that very reason... Plus I don't own the requisite full face helmet, stormtrooper outfit and massive freeride bike that seems to be required for that part!
I've found I can do a good length loop with only a little forest road linking the various other sections together. I still take the odd wrong turn, but that's half the fun - each time you find another little section of singletrack.

That said, I really should make more of an effort to explore the Surrey Hills...

Maybe thats where I was going wrong.. me and a riding buddy went over there, without knowing where we were going.. got a map etc, and chatted to a few locals, but couldn't find a loop that I was really happy with.. as before, I think I've been a bit spoilt by the Surrey Hills, as it's endless over there.. I do a hilltop loop taking me from the Chantreys, up St Marthas, Newlands, over to pitch/holmbury & leith.. or up through Winterfold forest..

It's endless! Obviously not knocking Swinley at all, but I'm sold on the Surrey Hills, it's also closer for me

t0pc4t

I have to say a day out riding with LJStronge who does know all the trails opened my eyes to all the trails that can be linked up

LjStronge

t0pc4t wrote:

I have to say a day out riding with LJStronge who does know all the trails opened my eyes to all the trails that can be linked up

Swinley is my local and I know it well hence why I am such a fan.

I guess also that because I go so often I have started to really know the trails well which actually makes them easier to ride. I can pick up more speed etc as I know whats coming next.

They are some decent length trails there to be found. The Whole nine yards on its own is over a mile in completion, so if you know where they are then you can have some longer trails. Also - the following are long too

All 3 parts of Seagull
Tank Traps combined with Stickler
Labrynth

I have built up a kind of a loop that I like doing but I do mix it up quite a lot with other stuff. There are loads of other singletract to be found, along with weird little downhill hill sections, and jumps and all sorts of other stuff

Maybe we can all pop out there again sometime, but I do need t check out this Surrey Hills. Everyone tells me I'm missing out by not going, so that is defo on my radar