Usual time, usual place.

(8:45/9:00 in the Lookout carpark).

IM or SMS me if you're coming.

Realistically... I'm staying in bed.

Swinley on Thursday evening anyone? Say 6ish.

I'm a local to Swinley (I live in the centre of Crowthorne).

I've only got a Specialized Hardrock Pro, but it seems alright for a bit of XC'ing.

It would be cool to meet up with some of you at some point to see some of the trails, I only come across them randomly and often can never remember where they were again.

I'd normally be there on Thursday but i'm busy moving house at the mo

Paul J - we're a good bunch so i'm sure you'll be made welcome on one of the rides.

I'm a bit of a newbie - but would be good to learn the trails to practice them more.

I went out yesterday in the mild damp, ground was really muddy, brakes stopped working and I ended up with a lot of play in the forks by the end (also was fairly dark by the time I started riding back out... almost got lost in the dark trying to find the way back to Crowthorne).

I think I'll have to give this Thursday a miss (weather doesn't look great), but will be fixing my bike up this weekend (new chain, rear tyre, brake pads) and will be out in Swinley messing around most of the days of this 3 day weekend.

It's great to be able to ride into Swinley in about 2 minutes when you consider many people drive there.

Thinking of going on Monday.

I might be up for a ride on Monday - that is mentally I'm up for it but will have to see how sore my ribs are. At the moment it's 1 good day, one bad day (which means Monday should be a good day...). Will be just me though, Kevin'll be recovering from rugby tour

Sue

Can't do Monday (off to Somerset for the day), but could get a pass for Sunday morning...

Kevin and I are going out on Sunday - by then his thumb, thigh and hamstring and my ribs should be healed enough to ride! It'll be a morning ride in case anyone's interested.

We'll be pathfinding with a GPS unless we're with someone who knows the way.

Sue

Just been down at Swinley from about 1pm to 6pm though doing more of an XC ride than focussing on the usual singletrack. Spent quite a while playing out towards the pilon and MOD area. Trails are really good at the moment! Have fun with Kevin tomorrow, Sue.

Sue/Kevin

If you fancy a change from Swinley you could always join us on a Tunnel Hill ride which is starting 8.30 from the mytchett centre in the morning. Its good riding evening after its been raining and we should be finished by 12 pm. Not sure whats happened to all the Swinley regulars. I think they have all started buying road bikes.

have fun whatever you do

cheers

Maj

Amongst other things been away sunning myself and eating several large meals a day! Need to get out on the bike soon and work some of the flab off. Sounds like the weather is on the turn so another reason to get out sooner rather than later....

Unnfff....

Kevin and I got ready to go this morning - turned out that a group that we met in Morzine years ago were in Swinley today so was looking forward to meeting up with them again - only to discover I've left my helmet in Morzine

Has to be said, the day after that crash, I wasn't really too worried about my kit. This morning, we knocked the riding idea on the head and went off to CycleLife in Windsor instead. On the plus side, the helmet needed replacing anyway. On the downside, my Swinley permit is also still in Morzine.

Probably a good thing we didn't ride, I tried pushing my heart rate up on Friday and it still feels like someone is stabbing me in the side, albeit with a blunt butter knife now as oppose to a dagger. Kevin is still struggling with his quad and hamstring strain + some unexplained beer damage from Friday. Methinks an easier ride this weekend is probably a better idea.

Hope you all had good rides.

Sue

Crash?

Did I miss something?

Kerr

Yeah - had a brain fade moment on a switchback and went over the bars. Ended up with a cracked rib and bruised ankle bone. Itching to get back on my bike now though.

Did you have a good time in the Alps?

Sue

Fantastic time!

Did have one OTB. bruised my knee through the knee armour ... dread to think if i had been wearing the armour.

So green this year.

Superb picture. I didn't ride much in Les Arcs but hiked up to Roseul one day to see the glaciers - absolutely fantastic. Very green and millions of grass hoppers.

Kevin had a big crash as well, OTB, landed with his thumb bent right back and the bike sailed off down the hill into woodland. Took a bit of forestry work to get it back out again! His hand was the size of a boxing glove next day but with plenty of ice and nurofen, it didn't stop him riding. He says his hand still feels a bit weird but it's getting there.

Still going to go back next year though!

Sue

If anyone is interested, myself and a couple of others will be at Swinely this Sunday for an 8.30 start ??

I am in definate

Just added it to the calender

Love to but looking like Saturday will be the day for me.

Anyone else riding this weekend? a bit quiet on this thread now - perhaps everyone has taken to the road...

Will be at Holmbury tommorow morning with Huw and his mate. Usual car park 9am if you fancy it

Kevin and I are planning to ride in Swinley on Sunday - will sign up for the ride now.

Sue

I seem to be developing some sort of cold at the moment so I think I might take it easy this weekend. Maybe have a relaxed pootle at some point...


(p.s. I've got a job. )

Hope all the injuries have healed up!!!


Congratulations - About bloody time!!!

Congratulations max and celebrations - no funny ideas of moving to Australia now, you are the only person who falls off his bike as much as is I do. You would be missed.

Hooray - great news to end the day!

Good luck!

Sue and Kevin

Cheers, guys. It's quite a relief...



The job's actually in Borehamwood (Hertfordshire), so whatever happens I'm going to have to move because 1.5 hour commute each way just doesn't work. Anyone know what the riding is like up that way? I'm currently looking into getting a house share somewhere in North London - I reckon that's the only chance I'll have of developing a good social life up there.

Anyway, I'll still be popping down to see my family and come to Swinley with you folks at the weekends.

I'll be joining you in the morning too (finally!!!). Will sign up...

Hi , I haven't joined the swinley ride for quite some time after I crashed a year ago and took up golf! but i have been riding a fair bit recently and decided i would like to join up with the swinley crowd again but i see most of the names have changed. Anyway i hope you are happy with me joining you tomorrow, I assume you still meet at the same part of the look out car park...... first left as you go in. see you soon

Andy

Golf?.....Golf?....paaaah. Good to see you back again Andy. Most of the old faces are still about with a good few more.

Hi Marc, hope to see you soon I rode straight past Andy"Dr Bike" without noticing him he wasn'r with our group, i may add.
I was so tired could only concentrate on keeping up with the rider in front but it has been good to get back in the saddle.. i think i kept up ok even if i was very worn out after the ride.

message to Dr Bike hope to see you soon when i am more with it!

thanks for the ride guys really enjoyed it....see you all soon,

Andy

Good ride yesterday - the weather for fantastic and the trails were spot on. thanks Robin for leading.

I did not not realise there was a chicken run in the middle of the Labyrinth that goes back to the top. It was nice climb and it was dotted with the most perfect pixie type mushroom. I wish i had bought my camera.

Sue / Kevin - sorry we lost you and i hope its not the suspension that was making all the noise - just checked some prices for a replacement - ouch.

Happy birthday Andy - hope to see you again.

Is anyone planning an evening ride this week?

Happy birthday Andy



Apologies Dr Bike, didn't spot you either (I was trying to keep out of the way of the people on my tail ).

Hope to see you all again before Christmas!!

No worries, turned out it was the right decision to stop. There are 2 bolts missing from the suspension swing arm so having stopped, it's just a question of replacing those. If we'd carried on, Kevin would be looking at a really expensive repair. Plus, and this is unusual, these are bolts you can buy and this time they're going in with thread locker.

Am still keen to get out though if there is a ride this week. My dissertation is due in on Monday so the weekend might be filled with last-minute panic.

Sue

Good news - so did the bolts just fall out? Kevins rear shock looked normal to me but that shows you how much i know. There was a lot of clonking though.

Good luck with the dissertation - so after next monday can we call you Dr Bike too (DrBike2) ... yes i know, not funny sorry.

Might be going on a night ride if my lights arrive - if kerr/parkerman are available. If you have not ridden in the dark - its awesome.

cheers

Maj

I might be around this Thursday?

I'll have to see how it goes this week - yesterday I was thinking I'd be out on Thursday, today, progress hasn't been good so now I'm not so sure.

Andy's still got Dr Bike - I'm doing a masters not a PhD. Call me The Master instead!

Sue

Love to but working slightly later this week so seeming unlikely.

On a related note....was chatting to Huw about arranging a bit of a night ride up on the Surrey Hills when proper evening darkness descends upon us if anyone is up for it?

Message received.

I should be out and about round Swinley a bit more inthe future.

Anyone out this weekend?

Can't, I'm in Amsterdam until Monday. Leave in the morning.

Nope, need to finish house move but might sneak a wee blast around the local woods...

Can't speak for Kevin but I'm nose to the grindstone now until I get this dissertation finished and submitted.

Sue

Is any one riding next sat 25th?

Ive finally got some time to ride

I was'nt going to but since its you, yes About time too!!!! - its in the calender in a few minutes.

I'm looking forward to a ride it will have been nearly 2 months!!!!!!!

Tuesday.
Night ride
?
Anyone in?

kerr

The wizards at Swinley (1.28)

Wizards at Swinley

Well spotted DeadKenny