Swinley Forest Options

[sandy hill]

I can definitely recommend Cannock Chase . Did Follow the Dog & Monkey on Saturday - 7 Miles & 15 miles respectively .

Mostly hard packed single track , red graded , not unlike Swinley , but much bigger , challenging & fun !

Parking is something like £4 for the day , trails are free , well maintained & sign posted .

On site Cafe & bike shop.

I must admit I was on my limit fitness wise , 22 miles of mainly single track , is a hell of a lot harder when there are very few fire road sections to take a breather on !

Some good ' switch back ' climbs , that are hard work , but the corresponding down bits are well worth it !

A day out to Cannock - have I sold it yet ?

I think we should rent a Tranny for this and bus the bikes up with a follwoing support vehicle. We will then look very professional on arrival.

[Shmikuk]

I think we should rent a Tranny for this and bus the bikes up with a follwoing support vehicle. We will then look very professional on arrival.

Ah, the art of illusion!

(maybe that should be delusion! ) plus I'd rather go up with you guys than this one:

[Biggsy80]

I think I know her / him!

[sandy hill]

I think I know her / him!

Where are we riding on Friday and Sunday? Proposals on a postcard please!

[Biggsy80]

Where are we riding on Friday and Sunday? Proposals on a postcard please!

I fancy Afan on Friday.... happy to go with the majority, have an all day pass

[deadkenny]

No fair. Back is too bust up to get out anywhere and people are off to nice places.

Anyway, Cannock I've never been too but hear it's worth a trip.

Afan is good. Be prepared for climbing, but the scenery is fantastic as are the descents (especially Whites and Skyline).

Fancy some Downhill "gnarl"? Cwmcarn is great fun (plus there's an XC trail which is good fun too, though a killer of a climb). Closer to home, Aston Hill. Take full face and other armour though!

All reasonably accessible from the SE anyway.

[Shmikuk]

No fair. Back is too bust up to get out anywhere and people are off to nice places.

Anyway, Cannock I've never been too but hear it's worth a trip.

Afan is good. Be prepared for climbing, but the scenery is fantastic as are the descents (especially Whites and Skyline).

Fancy some Downhill "gnarl"? Cwmcarn is great fun (plus there's an XC trail which is good fun too, though a killer of a climb). Closer to home, Aston Hill. Take full face and other armour though!

All reasonably accessible from the SE anyway.

I heard that skyline is closing due to a windfarm being built but parts will re open.

Here ya go; http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topi...s-skyline-close
Could be last chance to get on it for a while.
Gutted I can't make it!

[marcliam]

Anyhow, new section of the Stickler is getting better and better - really rolling fast today and the berms are nicely bedded in, deerstalker is really rutted at the top though - lots of braking holes into the bends making it a little unsettling (if like me you are a wimp and like to roll through the bends!).

Having alway ridden deerstalker, etc on a FS up until my recent trip out when I was riding hardtail I had never really noticed how bad the braking bumps (caves) where but jeeeez I noticed them this time.

I do try to travel as light as I can but I, also, carry a first aid kit with me and make sure my phone is place somewhere protected from most shock so that it still work if I have a big off and need rescuing with riding solo (which I do a fair lot at all time of day and night all year long)

Well worth it and not much sacrifice for weight. I've added a few paracetemol and a large sling type bandage which fits easily in the pack supplied.

Also I would like to test the water as far as interest is concerned on a trip to Cannock Chase with the Swinley regulars to see what the northerners at up to...

Would love to try Cannock so may be up for this although depends on (a) timing and ( if I can get a tad more fitness back.

[French_Aristo]

Ok then.
Cannock chase
18th of June
10:00
Be there or else

[deadkenny]

Well worth it and not much sacrifice for weight. I've added a few paracetemol and a large sling type bandage which fits easily in the pack supplied.

I sometimes have paracetamol for myself just in case I'm riding after a particular heavy night before .

However when calling out an ambulance for someone who's had a spill, one of the things they insist is that you don't give them anything other than a little water. No drugs, no food. One call out they seemed to prefer not much to drink either. I guess because of any potential knock out drugs they may administer.

Other than that, I have a whole bunch of stick on bandages, stretch bandage, and something to cut the stuff with. Don't have a sling which might be a good idea, but for a collarbone if the guy can keep his arm elevated with his other arm, that will do until the ambulance arrives.

Had three ambulance call outs so far now on rides, not counting my own of course from the other week.

Riding with someone is obviously a big bonus, but also having a plan to deal with storing or transporting their bike and possible recovery of their car. If any of the group is sharing a ride and can drive that's a big bonus. Contact details for relatives is a big bonus too. I know all that was a bit of a problem with me and I plan to carry far more detail and let people know what I'm doing in the future.

[anjs]

Anyone checked out the damage yet?

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/20917...eliberate_blaze

[Shmikuk]

Anyone riding this weekend other than Friday which I can't do?

[Stan Leigh]

Shmikuk , I'm looking at getting out Saturday Morning & Sunday afternoon - any ideas ?

[marcliam]

Anyone checked out the damage yet?

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/20917...eliberate_blaze

[deadkenny]

That's not good!

Is that within the Swinley boundary or over the fence?

Curious they know it's deliberate, but wonder what they mean by that. Farmer deliberately trying to clear land that got out of control, kids lighting a fire but not intending to burn the forest down (I've seen a few obvious places where fires have been lit, especially around the Corkscrew area), or some nut who just wants to burn it all down!

[Muscleburn]

Is that within the Swinley boundary or over the fence?

I could smell it on the way to work this morning on the road from nine mile ride to Sandhurst, also two fire engines sat at the entrance to poo alley. Huge area burnt last weekend at the top of the climb from the roller coaster to the back of the reservoir - rode through it on Sunday morning and patches of the gravel were still quite warm.

I am hoping to get out this weekend, so if there is a ride will try to join - remember that Gorrick have a race this weekend so quite a lot of the single track will be closed from Sat afternoon until Sunday afternoon.

[French_Aristo]

Ok then.
Cannock chase
18th of June
10:00
Be there or else

Now changed to 19th to accommodate and with the approval of most/all interested so far

[Stan Leigh]

MbElf , Ken & any other budding movie makers out there...


http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/tech...ike-video-29936

[sandy hill]

as the 'No excuses ride' never really got off the ground. So Swinley for 930 tomorrow anyone?

[Biggsy80]

as the 'No excuses ride' never really got off the ground. So Swinley for 930 tomorrow anyone?

I'll join you in some Swinley action