State of Swinely atm

BigAl

My lad's desperate to get out and test his new forks and other bits he got at Christmas (we've been busy)

Swinely would be ideal as it's a non thinking, non planning ride

But is it buggered by all the recent rain?

cooldad

Haven't been recently but sounds like the trails are holding up ok, fireroads are the usual boggy mess. Guys are still doing night rides so it can't be impossible.

cooldad

Asked around about the SBI (Swinley Bog Index) for you and replies are:

"Its more SQI now ( Swinley Quicksand Index). And it stands about 8."

"On tuesday i'd say SBI was a solid 7/10"

So rather soggy I guess.

But rideable.

BigAl

Many thanks CD.

Looks like I'll be going Sunday then.

cycle monster

How was it and how is it now? I would be very grateful for a bit of local knowledge before a four hour round trip tomorrow!

BigAl

I've not been for a couple of weeks, but expect it to be pretty muddy. I wouldn't be surprised if some sections were closed

I like Swinley as it's close and is ideal for me and my boys - no navigation required etc.

But I wouldn't travel 2 hours to get there. Where are you based, surely there's somewhere closer?

cycle monster

Thank you, there are places closer but we have a rare opportunity to get out together on our own, so want to go somewhere different. Sherwood Pines and Bedgebury are alternatives but my son has been to both already.

cooldad

I haven't been recently but reports are fireroads a bit of a boggy mess, trails are fine and well rideable.

Off piste puddly but Ok.

Don't expect to get out clean though.

cycle monster

Excellent, thank you very much.

jamski

I'm off there on Saturday so helpful info. The mud is all part of the fun this time of year, and cushions the falls!

BloggingFit

Rode there Tuesday night due to lots of Army activity in TunnelHill recently. I wouldn't be rushing back TBH as a lot of the trails are blown out and in these places you are hitting mud and puddles so keeping up momentum was hard graft as a result. Puddly, bumpy, blown out aggregate surface with wet sand in between is no fun at the moment.

Saw edivence of a bit of new trail building going on with was somewhat interesting. A reasonably sized table top jump with downhill runs from both ends so it effectively sits in a trough. From what I could make out you'd be clearing it fairly easily and landing to flat or uphill which will suck.

cooldad

Some info on the new freeride/black area
https://www.facebook.com/TrailTeamSwinl ... 16?fref=nf

BloggingFit

This one was away from the new free ride area. If you remember where Twisted Sister finishes along Whole 9 Yards there is a drop and short rooty incline that rejoins the main trail again. It was in that dip, taped off and with white tape on the top of the jump. If it was unauthorised then I'm surprised it hadn't been levelled unless it was discovered late and there was no time to get machinery in. By the way it was cleared I would say it was authorised building but a little off trail.

jamski

There are some parts closed but all well signed and the trails are great still. Fire roads are the worst but more than passable. Even with closed sections I still racked up 14 miles doing blue and red.