Free day for riding! Where is riding well whilst wet?

andymc06

As above. Got a whole day to myself next Wednesday. Which locations are riding well in the wet? I'm in Farnborough, Hants. Anywhere within an hour or so would be best. Haven't tried QECP yet and will defo give it a go if dryish but I hear it's not at it's best in wet conditions.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Andy

cooldad

Tunnel Hill area drains fairly well

benpinnick

Swinley gets muddy but rides ok despite it, and trails like Seagull,tank traps and Stickler barely change at all. It needs a monsoon before it becomes unrideable, just expect to get a lot of mud splatter.

andymc06

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm a Tunnel Hill local and a regular at Swinley. Both decent suggestions if you avoid the truly boggy areas (especially the Swinley bogfest!). Looking to do something a little different for a bit of change. I might go and explore the Surrey Hills a bit but last time I went almost all the trails were swamped on Pitch Hill.

benpinnick

Lol. I avoided saying Surrey hills as its the worst in this weather of the local options! I guess being farnborough based you're also a Minley regular too....

andymc06

Yet to try Minley Ben. Could be a good option. Any tips?

benpinnick

Yeah, the trails are easy enough to follow if you start off right, roughly where in 'boro are you starting out?

benpinnick

Actually, come to think of it, next wednesday afternoon I could be free..... Fancy a ride in Minley?

Oh, and QECP rides terribly in the wet, as does Aston.

apreading

Didnt a group go over to Caesars camp, saying it was much better than soggy Swinley when the UK was underwater for much of june/july?

benpinnick

Maybe, but Swinley riding is just a case of knowing where to ride. Lots of Swinley (over 50% I'd say) is almost 100% weatherproof. Other places become terminal bogs. Given there's about 50km of trails, thats still alot of good riding.

andymc06

Yeah. Nice one Ben. Let me know where and when. As long as you aren't expecting any kind of race pace!

apreading

There is a Gorrick Map of some Minley action here: Never been there myself though, so dont know what it is like.

If you are out and about on Wednesday, then I might actually be able to join you guys - what time are you likely to finish though? I have to be at a kids Halloween party, but I dont know what time.

benpinnick

Im easy on start time. I work in farnborough so I'll probably come straight from work. Shall we meet at the Harvester on the way to Fleetor maybe at Fleet pond car park? Is that a good place for you Andymc? Its not the longest loop, maybe 15km so we should be done in 2 hours, can add some play time too.

andymc06

I'm off all day so the earlier the better for me. Probably easier if we don't have to take lights and then apreading can come along. If you're at work Ben you decide a start time and meeting point. I'm happy with either place.

benpinnick

I was thinking around 1:30 ish to start.

andymc06

Ideal. Shall we say 1.30 pm. Fleet pond car park? I'll be the angry looking ginger northerner with the Trance.

benpinnick

OK, deal. Ill be the southerner in a Grey Skoda Estate with black Santa Cruz Blur LT.

andymc06

Sorted. See you then.

apreading

Put me down as a provisional - just need to check what time things kick off at home - I guess not until dark so hopefully OK to join you. Will try and confirm tonight.

If there, I will be the guy with grey (almost white) hair, an audi estate with a coffin on the roof and a Felt hardtail...

andymc06

Ok mate. Let us know.

cooldad

Half term so Damon's off school and I've got the week off. so we can probably make it. I'll add something to London Calling as well.

benpinnick

Coolio. Maybe we should change the start point if more north of the M3 types are coming?

cooldad

I'm easy, wherever's convenient for you guys. I have one of these new fangled horesless carriage things anyway.

benpinnick

Ok. Well leave as us. Meet at the fleet pond then.

Sgray

If you don't mind I might be able to make it on Wednesday. I am unfit, getting old and generally go out on slowish bike rides with my son. I will be in a white Peugot van with a Silver/blue Gary Fisher.

cooldad

Perfect. Old and unfit is good, I won't be the only one.Keep an eye on London Calling in rides as I'll post any updates etc there.

apreading

I am gonna have to drop out - need to be back in reading by 4pm and I think thats cutting it a bit fine. Flippin' halloween party, grrr!

Sgray

Quick couple of questions, is the parking for Fleet Pond off Cove Road and how much is parking? Also I mainly ride walking distance from my home, so don't usually take anything out on a bike ride. I have got a hydration backpack thing, in which I will put in some spare inner tubes/small pump and I have a bike multi-tool thing. Is there anything else I should bring?

Cheers.

andymc06

Parking is off Cove Road. Sign posted Fleet Pond then over the bridge, turn right and follow to the end. That kit will be fine. Free parking IIRC. See you there.

benpinnick

Just in case anyone needs a map.... Wednesday Minley ride, 1:30 in the Fleet pond car park. Access the car park here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=48 ... &A=Y&Z=115

smcgsi16v

If you are going to be using the gorrick route, you need to use the latest one used this year. As the trails for that one have faded.



I ride this route twice a week as im only in cove.
I might be able to meet, work depending to guide if you want but its not a definate or even meet over there.

In any case.
O;ympic ridge - be careful of horse chesnuts and the route has been covered in leaves but can be made out if you have a good eye.

Back to front - to the arrow is a bit boggy in places.

Above duck and grouse - after the hill is a bit boggy.

The route is on Strava if you need it.

I shall be over there tomorrow night so can check and give a heads up on bad bits if you like.

You could always combine Minley with Hawley as there is a 10k loop in there used for an enduro last month.