I am in for that
Especially that I don't see the Sexy Party being physically very taxing due to the size of the group by what I can read on singletrack.com

Hmm, I could be tempted by that too. E

Ok then - Sunday , the Tunnel Hill plan...

Meet up at lay by near Canal Centre GU16 6DD 8 am . Couple of hours lead by Sandy Hill , then breakfast / brunch at the Canal Centre Cafe.

11.30 am , over to Swinley , probably parking over the road .

Meet up under Go Ape sign .

Simples - what could possibly go wrong ?

We were over at 3 until 6 yesterday...<drum roll> Stickler is open!!!!

TBH although dry, it actually needs "ridden in" a bit now as the top is a bit loose in places.
Looks like it will drain much better now. Also flows much better.

Seagull is really really fast now!

If any of the guys who worked on this are on here or know any of the guys then you all deserve a massive pat on the back.

Lets hope it holds up to the elements.

They are doing massive amounts of work at the GO-Ape area. Not sure what's going on but there's seems to be paths poping up in the woods.
Saw some segways parked outside the Go-Ape hut.

Kerr

Interesting that they have put a couple of big new berms on the downhill part of Seagull near the Firing Range gate (starting from the Star Post End). This encourages people to do this section in this direction, whereas I generally think Seagull flows best from the Crowthorne Woods end toward the Star Post. The trouble with Seagull is there are some quite fast blind bends-I have had a few near head on collisions on this run over the years. Wonder if they shouldn't think about encouraging it to be one way, like Tank Traps...

Tank Traps is one way you say? You would think so but we've encountered groups coming the "other" way in the past, but I've a feeling that they missed the ditch section and headed towards Stickler.

As for Seagull, coming from the Crowthorne direction the first section does flow well, but the other sections probably flow better going from the Star Post.

I sometimes do tank traps the other way, but only on night rides in the week so you can be clearly seen by anyone going the proper way.
Its interesting getting out of the ditch

Certainly at weekends and busy times its bad form to ride it arse end up.

Im a crowthorne starter on seagul. Only those judeans people's front ride it the other way. Us The People's Front of Judea ride it the correct way of course

But it may well close again next week, when the next trail maintenance session starts (Thursday 24th to Sat 26th), then it will re-open, bigger, better and longer !!

It all depends on whether I'm going clockwise or anti-clockwise


Bigger, better and longer? How is this possible!!!???

Looking forward to trying it out.

Noticed some clearing going ... You guys finally got the go ahead to finish it?

Kerr

Hi everyone,

Me and my brother are looking for a new place to ride and Swinley seems a pretty good bet.
Wondered whether anyone is planning a 'meet some strangers and ride with them' meeting next Saturday 26th March?
If so, I'd love to come along and follow someone who knows (at least roughly) where they're going/what they're doing!

Cheers

Cheers to the guys who came out for the big ride today, great meeting you briefly! I hope you all had fun and remember to get that footage to me

Cheers for organising Phil. Really good fun, if a little quicker than we were expecting. Can't wait to see what comes out of all that video footage! Cheers to everyone involved!
Ian


Cheers for organising Phil. Really good fun, if a little quicker than we were expecting. Can't wait to see what comes out of all that video footage! Cheers to everyone involved!
Ian

Yup , I think Shmikuk speaks for all of us who where out today , excellent ride !

Now we know what you do , I look forward to catching up with some of you on future rides . Good pace , top trail knowledge !

that was fun
even discovered new trail or at least new way to ride them (ie the way up) and the last bit before the lookout at the end is something I will use again as practical an fun...
This said, I have thursday off so wednesday evening I will be heading for Swinley for the 90 minutes blast on Single tracks.
I am adding a calendar even so feel free to join
Will be fairly late start as I have a 2 hours drive back from Uckfield
So 20:00 til 21:30ish

I'll be up for that - providing I can get at least one bike going !

Great ride phil, thanks very much for organising

Good seeing the usual crowd... Definately less chatting due to the fairly rapid pace.... Ill sleep well tonight!

I have a bangee x if you need

I think it will be a long time before it's finished, but we are certainly taking it to the next stage

Right then , anybody up for joining me & Frenchie on Wednesday evening ?

Sandy Hill ? You missed your Tuesday Troll ride ?

Shmikuk ? You said you might ?

Bigsey ? This is a good time for you 8 pm ?

Mbelf ? You know you've got to get straight back in the saddle after your spectacular off on Tuesday !

Anybody else , your welcome - Go Ape 8pm.

Do we have picture or you think he could do it again for the camera

No pics, but I reckon if you find the spot you'll see the tyretracks that end suddenly and then an imprint of Maj in the sand about six feet further down the trail!
Hope you're ok this morning Maj!

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS...p-fyWha3RU7D6uw

Anyone else got the email from gorrick talking about expanding the trails over the enxt 5 years?

Nope. I was also expecting to get a reminder about renewing my Swinley Permit and that didn't come yet either

Nope!

Might be blacklisted. Post it here

Kerr

Spring is almost here and the trails are drying fast so it’s time to get riding. Now is your chance to buy a new season annual Permit to cycle in Swinley Forest at the same price as last year. Just £20 buys you a whole years riding on the tracks, trails and fire roads of the forest.

Swinley Forest Cycling (the partnership between The Crown Estate as land owner and Gorrick as licensed operator of the cycling permit scheme) have already been busy repairing and improving trails for the coming year. We are also putting the final touches to a five year plan to improve the existing singletrack network and build a number of new trails. You will be pleased to learn that a larger proportion of your permit fee will now be invested in an expanded trail network. More news will follow during April.

Please remember that annual permits expire at the end of this month and it would help us greatly if you could buy your permit now rather than having a large number of orders to process on the 31 March. Thank you once again for your support and watch out for further news on Swinley Forest Cycling.

GORRICK MBC

Would love to and very jealous.... I bet the trails will be really dry and fast. Have to pass unfortunately... Don't think I will be out now until next week

Did you get you bike fixed stan?

Low and behold the e-mail arrived a short while ago

I'm not feeling left out any more (unlike Kerr )

Bump?

I can't make it this weekend. Hopefully someone will be around this weekend. I should be able to do the following Saturday.

Oops, meant to reply to this sooner. I can't make it tonight, which is a shame because last night was great and it's a beautiful day out there!

It's still a bit patchy in places Ben, but it's definitely getting quicker. Some of the new stuff is starting to settle nicely now.

Ive now got the email.

As much as enjoy seagull, stickler etc, I do hope this is not a five year plan to turn all trails into yellow pavements.

Might be taking some novice riders out on sunday morning round swinley.
If anyone wants a slow novice ride, or knows anyone who is cautious to go out with the bigger boys(and girls), or just wants a lazy ride round the forest on hopefully a sunny warm spring day, now's their chance.

Kerr

Just me it seems.

I could join you, but hardly remember any track, have just ridden there couple times.
I hope some experienced guys are going to ride on Saturday. Anyway I am always in!




Hi Kerr,
I might join if dont ride on Saturday.

So far there is no one except some novices for Satruday.
As for me - there is not big difference, providing that ride starts after 8:30

last night was good fun with near perfect trail condition and weather.
Too bad no one brought the entertainment in form of a nice big crash (without injuries if at all possible)


Friday 1st of April 2011 Swinley Night Ride
1.5-2 hours starting from Go Ape around 19:30-20:00

Event in the calendar. Fell free to sign up You Fools!!!!

Hi to all, is anyone riding on Saturday/Sanday?

As I know, there is some new guys want to rode on Saturday and Kerr might ride on Sunday.
But non of them looks precise.

Anyways.. I am riding on any date it is suitable for someone, either Saturday or Sunday, so plz let me know!

Dont forget there is also Vespas chiltern ride on saturday which is 15/20 mins up the road from swinley.

I will firm up about sunday and post a ride in the calender later if its a go.

Kerr

I'm up for a ride on Sunday in Tunnel Hill or Swinley if anyone is out....

unfortunately there is no train at this time, i can get there by 10 am only

so .. will wait for Swinley ride.

was planning on exploring tunnel hill on sunday with a couple of friends... what time would you be thinking of heading down there?

Phil, not sure if you are talking to me, but i can be in tunnel for 9.30 sunday. Note that i do not know the area well.

if Kerr won't be riding Swinley on Sunday, I could join to Tunnel Hill or whatever as long as the time is not that early cos of trains...
Alternatively I could ride on Saturday, providing there will be someone to join me.

Ride posted for Sunday at swinley.

8:45 meet, rollout around 9.

I am in

Anyhooo....this years permit ordered....be a while before I get back there but i'm ready!

@ Phil and others

I could well be over Tunnel Hill for 2-3 hours on Sunday am. Prob quite an early start, maybe 0830ish. If that's too early, tell me what time and I could swing by and pick a group up midride - I know the area pretty well and could give a taster and as important locate some landmarks for you so you can then explore and still find your way home.

Not forgetting of course that clocks will be changing tonight.........

Looks like I have to pull out of my own ride next Friday night.
What about thursday instead?

it seems that all recreational rides become very active eventually

last weekend cobham common was supposed to be an easy ride but thanks mud - it has been changed to unbelievable hard one.
today no one came as expected, so there were only me and Kerr, and it was very fast and nice ride, we almost did not stop at all for chat and just did fast ride and took some pretty technical tracks as well!

Guys,

Sorry - I did text Kerr to say that Kevin and I couldn't make it - we rode yesterday and woke up too sore to do anymore. The plan was for a lazy ride after a medium one yesterday but it turned out much harder than expected. Felt really old this morning with my back aching and not able to get on a bike. As it was pretty fast though, sounds like we'd have only slowed you up.

Sue