Berkshire newbie

sheep

Hi all,
August last year i bought my self a new specialized hardrock disc sport and started riding to work, i enjoyed riding so much that i continued to ride during the winter and even during all that flooding and storms we had. I've been off the bike now for about a month, had a nasty accident on way to work one morning, and its time to park the car up and dust off the bike and hit the road again. What im looking for is for some riding buddies in and around the Berkshire area to do some weekend off road riding so i can get some experience as i really want to tackle places like Afan and Cwmcarn in the summer this year and next year i want to try one of the big bike parks in Colorado.
My kids keep telling me im too old to go out mtb riding at weekends and i should put my feet up with a cup of horlicks now i dont work weekends but after watching some vids on Afan, Cwmcarn and dear leap i really want to get into this. So if you dont mind a newbie tagging along, i'll try not to hold you up, let me know when and where you guys ride.

cooldad

Depends where, but Swinley is a good start, some excellent riding in the Chilterns, and SH a short drive away.
Quite a few local riders in LC - link below.

Palmer82

Where abouts in Berkshire are you. I am starting evening rides again as daylight has returned and have become fat and unfit. I live in Newbury if that is of any help. I also often do longer rides at weekends or swinley. I hope to go to afan later in the year but have my first child due in august so might be tricky to get too many trail centre trips in.

shaun.liepa

Hi palmer82, im based in Bracknell so when you next plan a ride in swinley woods pm me and i will join you.
I have had to rejoin the forum under a different user name as i could no longer log in under my original user name of SHEEP.

Berkshire Rich

Welcome. I am in Maidenhead, get to Swinley on decent weekends, get out to the Chilterns when its dry. Happy to meet at Swinley as a central point. Am firmly in my 40s but weight is no issue, its getting my fitness back to a decent level. It was good last year until I has an accident! Cheers

Umzy86

Hi all, another Berkshire newbie saying hello!
I've inherited (borrowed) my brothers bike which was gathering dust in the garage and am slowly getting myself ready to hit the tracks at Swinley soon. Just need to get a bike rack...can anyone recommend something please?
I've done some one off mountain biking before but It'll be my first time at Swinley so would appreciate a ride out with you experienced riders. I can do some evenings but mainly Sundays.
Like Shaun, I'll try not holding you up!

t0pc4t

depends on how many bikes you want to shift and what car you have. I've got a Saris but not a 'bones' as they don't fit my car. It's good but it means that you have to re-seat it if the rear hatch gets opened.

Can you not put dust sheets in the car and put the bike in the back?

Umzy86

Just the 1 bike. I've got a 2011 C Class. I hadn't considered that, will give it a bash.
Anyone up for a ride on Sunday morning?

paulbox

Don't put off going to Swinley, all sorts ride there from complete novice to bloody quick. Just be considerate of other users and enjoy yourself. You can always use your brakes to ride within your own capabilities on the fast bits, well that's what I do.

Umzy86 wrote:

Just the 1 bike. I've got a 2011 C Class. I hadn't considered that, will give it a bash.
Anyone up for a ride on Sunday morning?

If the rear seats fold down just take your front wheel off and slide it in through the boot.

Berkshire Rich

PaulBox wrote:

Don't put off going to Swinley, all sorts ride there from complete novice to bloody quick. Just be considerate of other users and enjoy yourself. You can always use your brakes to ride within your own capabilities on the fast bits, well that's what I do..

Dont forget the advice to walk up the climbs if your fitness / legs are not quite up for it!

Umzy86

Thats the issue, the seats don't go down!
Thanks for the help, i'll be there this sunday from 11am if anyone wants to join!

t0pc4t

mate I would love to, not least because it would get me out of a visit to the in laws but given that I've managed to dodge them since Christmas instead of riding I'll be making small talk and being polite.

FML

Berkshire Rich

Sunday 4 May for me, if anyone is keen. Will get there pretty early though if weather is good - will be very busy!

natrix

You could always try the Berks on Bikes club, http://bobmtb.com/

benpinnick

Or join https://www.facebook.com/groups/SwinleyforestMTB/

Palmer82

I hope to be there tomorrow am if anyone wants to meet send me a pm

ryanita

benpinnick wrote:

Or join https://www.facebook.com/groups/SwinleyforestMTB/

Thanks guys...I want to join...

craigwack

sheep wrote:

Hi all,
August last year i bought my self a new specialized hardrock disc sport and started riding to work, i enjoyed riding so much that i continued to ride during the winter and even during all that flooding and storms we had. I've been off the bike now for about a month, had a nasty accident on way to work one morning, and its time to park the car up and dust off the bike and hit the road again. What im looking for is for some riding buddies in and around the Berkshire area to do some weekend off road riding so i can get some experience as i really want to tackle places like Afan and Cwmcarn in the summer this year and next year i want to try one of the big bike parks in Colorado.
My kids keep telling me im too old to go out mtb riding at weekends and i should put my feet up with a cup of horlicks now i dont work weekends but after watching some vids on Afan, Cwmcarn and dear leap i really want to get into this. So if you dont mind a newbie tagging along, i'll try not to hold you up, let me know when and where you guys ride.

hi Sheep,

did you find any local rides in berkshire? i'm a newbie too looking for local places to try

paul.skibum

paul.skibum wrote:

I used to live in Reading and would ride north out of town into the CHilterns - tons of very good bridleway riding of the fast flowing fun variety out that way and some good guide books on the area around.

I sometimes drove to a start point but more often than not rode from home. Had a good loop set up for regular rides and lots of options for longer loops.

Here is a link to one of my longer loops! http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Reading-to-Nettlebed-and-back-the-long-way

Here are all my routes i bothered to map (one is in the Peaks - ignore that!) http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/by/skibum

Get the local OS maps (there are two to cover the north of reading) and get planning. Ignore South of the town, there is not a lot of options out there.

My reply re Reading on another thread