Or more interestingly - the conga ...

A quick update concerning the ride for Saturday.

Can Fatsweaty, Razor and Roger udpdate their Contact info ?

Also - with a certain amount of conferring with Kerr I've put together a suggested route for the ride that's viewable on Bikely. The idea is to take in as many of the best bits and give a good introduction to all that Swinley can offer for those who've not ridden there before.

Looking good chaps....

Thanks for the map. Take it the meeting place is the car park on Nine mile road?

The meeting place is the Lookout car park on Nine Mile Ride - RG12 7QW

We've now got 19 folks signed up and I've a feeling that it'll be more on the day.

Good news is that the weather forecast has improved for Saturday, bad news is it's been raining all day and will probably rain a bit more before we ride

Looks like the ride on Saterday is going to be great, not thats its my place to say but would a few smaller groups with pre-determined meeting points not be better as lets be honest after the 5th or 6th rider you start to get bottle necks and lots of stop start which does not make for fun?? Just my thoughts.

Should probably bring a change of clothes, just in case...

Ding...20...Any more and everybody is going to have to wear name badges

Sinners, so you are going to cycle wearing nothing but googles and a snorkel??? scary

AWW!! I was looking forward to the carnage when the front rider crashes and the rest (following 5mm behind each other) pile-up in true bluesbrothers style car crash

Hmmm think i get your point.

Problem is Swinley has NO signs or trail markings for the trails. There also very few features that can be used as land marks. There are is an odd "lookout this way" sign, but they are very few. If you dont know the area, you can easily get lost.
Think best way maybe to have "blocks" lead by those familiar with swinley.
Anyone with gps units would be advised to download the route (it has waypoints).
Obviously have phone numbers of leaders with you.
I will have a couple of walkie-talkies, if anyone has some (small) walkie talkies, they would be useful.

There is a few tracks that riding 20 at a time will be fine (nine yards etc) You just need to use your noggin if you stop and keep the trail clear. Most trails are bi-directional, so also watch out for riders in the opposite direction.
I will be backmarker for the day, sweeping up the debree.

Statistically there will be technical issues. Punctures, broken derailers, snapped chains, broken bones.
Please please makes sure you have usual spares.

I am still not confident of the weather. So Please makes sure you carry a water proof at least in the car.

AHH!!! one REALLY IMPORTANT THING Swinley forest Carpark is Theiving scum ground Zero.

Make sure you car is bare when you have emptied the bike and bits. Have NOTHING on show once you leave your car.
Pack your car so you can hide everything.

Kerr

I am going to bring the Helmet cam and film said Blues Brothers style crash !!!

We could always use the green bench, star post, the gulley, as land marks and then split into three groups with one heading over to start at the Cork Screw the other going over to baby maker and labarenth and the other doing nine yards, stickler the gulley etc then meet durring the day for lunch out on the trail somewhere???

Just a thought as stopping to tell everyone that there is a small drop off ahead with the chicken run off to the left and then at the bottom of the trail everyone needs to go right etc will just ruin the flow of things.


Click to view attachment

Looking forward to this ride.

What do we reckon on trail conditions…we’ve had quite bit of rain this week and swinley is normally good for drainage; however me thinks it could be time to return to winter tyres

With regard to numbers……On the entrance to any single-track, I was hoping we’d have a mass bundle to be first in - just like getting on the Tube

Just shout "DROP!" while in the air. Seriously, that's what Berks on bikes do!!! Infact you are lucky to get any warning.

There are prob a wide spectrum of levels of fitness/skills so we need to atleast start the first ride out as group. We can then split into groups (5-7 riders) but still stick to the same route but all meet at "chat" points. Like the bombdrops in crowthorne wood, lower star point, gully etc etc.

Suggestion ...
Basically let 5 or so faster riders head off, wait a few mins, for next "level" to head off, then a few mins after that the last lot leave. Then after a section of flow (like whole of seagul) they stop, chat, pat each other back, complement each other on thier elite skills and fittness whilst waiting for the lesser gods to arrive, then when the coughing spluttering lardy types (me) arrive, they can head off on next section, wooping and high fiveing their merry way, until the end of the next "section".

yes?

Yes

I'll update the bikely file with some strategic stop/chat points.

Warren - unfortunately due to the mix of the group this ride is going to have a lot of stop/start.

Contact details updated, am a definite for the ride, still worried about lack of clipless pedal practice but don;t want to put the flatties back on. I'd leave a few yeards gap if you are behind me on a steep climb!

The strategic stop idea is probably the best, provided people who know roughly where they are going (and Kerr is sweeping) we should be fine. To me, its as much about the social side of things as riding so i'm keen to see if we can start out as a group.

It may be that some of the group need to get away earlier (me for one, although I can probably squeeze a bt more time out than usual) so there may be a smaller group later on anyway.



Please keep the SPD's on Razor, I have just made the decision to persevere with them this weekend being a 'recent' 'convert'....

21 names in the frame now, plus at least another since Swinley Chris will be there too (but he's not often on the forum).

If you're planning to come and haven't signed up please do so and make sure you've filled in your contact details.

There's a link here for a gpx version of the route we're planning to follow.

I will be carrying on, after 8 years of only riding DH and using flats it's a big change for me. I just know that I'll have one of those keeling over sideways moments at some point, SPD accidents always happen for me at speeds of under 1mph when I need to put my foot out but can't unclip in time.

I've only had them out on one ride and didn't ride any tech DH/drops/jumps either, so I suppose I'll find out how much I had my feet off in my flat pedal riding style.

I'm looking forward to a big group, will take me back to the days when Berks on Bikes first started (I was a member way back in my youth) when they could have around 40 riders on one ride.

Not just me then... my first ever ride on SPD's, all the gear and looking the part, then over I went in front of random family with pram

"You alright mate" amongst all their laughter

Please expect at least one moment like this from me tomorrow!

I'm putting my money on 2.5 hours riding plus 2.5 hours stopped (re-grouping/mechanicals/punctures/discussing the latest must have/extracting Max from bushes)

I will take a leaf out of my local riders group and bring my whistle. That way if there is an issue it can be sounded.

See y'all on the morrow.

BTW it's p1ssing down here

Just started raining a little bit here (sw london). Should be fine though, most of it drains pretty well. There'll just be one or two puddles. Nothing to worry about.




[ninja edit] It seems i may have spoken too soon.

it's belting down.

Surely you'll need longer than that to get me out.




Bring your pressure washer please mate (if possible), just in case....

Think the bike hire place has a bike wash... dunno how much.

Its stopped raining for sometime in binfield. It seems to be remaining warm (+10) so things should dry out quite quick. TBH swinley has been a dust bowl for weeks now, so I cant see much mud developing. Surface water will be more an issue, like the bottom of the rollecoaster or the dips in stickler.

OH OH! Ive lent my camera out and only have my phone for pictures.
Please please anyone take loads of pictures.

Weather says we may even get some sun!!!

(should i have said that?)

Kerr

Onoes!!! You only gone an borked teh sunny for tomorrow...

Seriously, will anyone mind the damp really with this cool a meet happening? The North and The South meet in the muddy fields for battle. Sah-Wishhhh!

OH GREAT GODS OF THE TRAIL WE OFFER HUW AS OUR HUMBLE SACRIFICE!!!!


I forgot to take in to account that I will have stopped to assist, forgotten I'm using SPD's and will be thrashing around on the ground for 5 minutes trying to extract myself from the bike.



I don't have access to one for tommorow (I usually use my work one) - Maj as Swinley official photographer are you going to be snapping??

P.S. I never new the bike shop had a pressure washer Kerr.

Nahh, it'll be good. Wanna lift Kyrotek? Didn't realise you were coming. I've just sent you a text, hope your number is the same as last time!


I've got my new Tough thing - I'll try to get as many pics as possible.

Also, I'll load up the GPS for route assistance, but I'm still rubbish at joining up the landmarks. Need to go by myself a few times to stop blindly following Andy & Kerr, it's the only way to learn.

I hope Bernard is wearing his onion rings so we can recognise him

Excellent....we'll have to get a good group shot!

I don't have access to my camera so bob its all on your shoulders dude - your camera - sorry I mean you takes great pictures. I think sparko is will be bringing his video camera. Really looking forward to this .

I promise to do the gully drop if we go near it.

Fantastic ride today ,my first forum ride and I really enjoyed myself .Great meeting up with all the crew in the flesh .Swinley is without doubt mega on singletrack it only lacks a mountain which is no0 loss because of the quality of singletrack and our superb guide who came free of charge
thanks Andy and look forward to doing it all again.

Really enjoyed today. Great to see the Northern contingent and pleased that we managed fairly well to stick together. Seems like everyone had a smile of their face when we got back to the Lookout as well. I didn't realise quite how knackered I was until I got back home and sat down for a moment, falling asleep for an hour.

Would be good to do it again sometime!


Max

I think Andy might have had a little help from Kerr so thanks to both you - nice route.

Really enjoyed the ride today - and nice to meet some new faces.

Well impressed with the single gear guys - i think i might get my self one.

Can't wait until the next ride

Maj

Bad ride today

two mechanicals

First was the suspension pivot bolt snapping who carry's a spare like that??? cant remember your name but i owe you a beer or three. i now have two Ti ones coming
Second front brake pad disappearing off the backing plate, lucky i carry a spare.

But worst than that getting blown away not once, not twice but three times up hill It will not happen again!!!!!

Thanks for the ride out today guys, and the route guidance.
First time at Swinley and I plan to return, but will a guide
The place reminds me of Thetford, but with a few more hills thrown in, enjoyed the flowing singletrack and the rootyness. The place is perfect for Singlespeeds too.
Nice to meet new faces too

Thanks again guys

Echoing everyone else above 'twas a great ride with great company today. Nice to meet a few more off the forum too.

Really impressed by the fact that we 'pretty much' stuck together as such a large group the checkpoint/regroup thing worked really well. Thanks to Andy for leading, Kerr for sweeping and both of you for devising the 'best of' route.

Gezzza it was 'Big Pete' who miraculously had the spare pivot bolt....piece of luck that.

Great ride today guys, was it me or was it faster than normal? I could certainly feel it by the end. To echo the others, it was great to see so many new faces, it put a whole new feel to the regular Swinley ride with so many riders present. Major thanks to Andy & Kerr for organising it and keeping us all well shepherded.

Here's the photos - they're on my home web server which uses my cable connection, so you might find it a bit slow if you all hit it at once.

Excellent photos bob - thanksv for uploading them.

Yep I second that and thanks to Kerr too for todays ride .

Wow - looks like you guys had an awesome ride from the pics! The weather looks stunning

Gezza getting blown away? Must be that light bike of his (probably should get a ground anchor for him next time)

We ordered it specially. Although it did involve sacrificing Huw to the trail gods - truth is he quite enjoys it.


Maj has been in training for months just to do this - and to be fair it was towards the end of the ride and after we'd sent Gezzza off in search of Kyrotek (who we'd somehow managed to loose).

Videos are up


Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5


Thanks to all for a great ride on Saturday

Great vids (and the photos Bob posted earlier).

Only had 3 spd induced .5 kph falls (I must be getting used to being clipped in, it was only my second ride glued to the pedals!), and managed to get home in time (sorry to miss the last leg of the ride). Was absolutely knackered when I got home, need to get out on the bike more than once a month!

Good to meet some more new faces, look forward to the next ride but can't see us having better weather until next summer unless Huw wishes to offer himself up for a sacrifice again (can you be sacrificed more than once?).

Could'nt we sacrifice bits of Huw over several months instead of all of him in one go - hes a big lad - he'll last until next summer won't he
Would do you think??

Alex, thanks for he videos - really enjoyed watching them. Will have to record you going down those trails one of these days.

Yeah, Gezzza 6 week absence has taken its toll - i am pretty sure he will be back to normal form after couple of more rides he won't let it happen again. Must say that trying to keep up with him has really helped my riding. Infact i think we have all got a little faster or am i just imagining it.

Great ride yesterday, big thanks to andy and kerr for organising and guiding for the day, i think that me and bernard would have got lost and not ridden any of the good stuff you showed us if we'd just turned up on our own.

That would be me then

it was by chance that i'd got the spare bolt for my fs on me, just happy to help a fellow scott rider out.

any time any one is wanting a tour of cannock just let us know and we can arrange a return fixture.