I should be up for either of those myself and my mate expressed an interest in coming along at some point too.

I went down to Swinley today - it was a mud-fest and I came back caked in a selection of dirt. Great fun.

Pencil in Saturday 18th, I think that Chrism, Marc, Max and Orange Al have that date earmarked for the next visit to Swinley I have the feeling that we'll be trying all 3 options that start at the top of Babymaker.

Was looking at doing Saturday 18th Bob as the wife wants to come as well.

Edit: That'll teach me for not looking at the next page.



Maybe the dropoffs at the top of Long run as well.

Yep, it's on the calender plus possible 1 other newbie with me (Matt who came on Holmbury/Pitch ride)

18th sounds good to me. I'm going to pop over this Saturday morning to try and get some bearings as I didn't have a clue where anything was when blindly following Andy. I'll be equipped with map, compass and GPS. Also Surrey Hill reservoir is a 15 minute cycle ride from home, when approached from the South (A30) :-)

would a newbie be welcome on this ride????

I've just stuck it in the calendar, so can all those coming please join up on the New Rides page.


Absolutely, all welcome. Gezzza, I see you are from my neck of the woods? PM me if you want a lift up. I'm coming from Locks Heath so can easily swing by Soton way.

I must have been up to Swinley about ten times with Andy and I still couldn't tell you where anything is! Sense of direction is not my strong point, even with GPS.

Looking forward to the 18th I have been up to Swinley a few times since riding with you guys a couple of weeks ago and have managed to find most of the trails.

I should be on for the 18th. i'll nip over and signup to the doofer. might bring some friends along too if i can persuade them to get up that early.

Have you got any tips for finding your way or easily identifiable landmarks? I've put the Surrey Hill reservoir & Lower and Upper Star Posts as way points in my GPS for when I get totally lost.

I'm definitely going to be up for a ride at Swinley on the 18th. It might not be with you guys though.

I know some other riders that have inquired, before you lot, if anyone was interested about riding at Swinley on the 18th. I told them about this forum (which they have browsed but not joined yet). They weren't too sure about joining one of the forum rides as they haven't ridden much this year want to get their fitness up (even though I said I was unfit). So I might be with them if they organise something solid.

reply for Big Grin unfortunately i don't have any great advice for finding the best trails I just head in the right general direction and ride around a bit and I normally find them. From the Lookout carpark I head west until I find the corkscrew and then south east'ish towards the reservoir, taking in the seagul run and tank something!, then from there take the fireroad south for a bit til you reach the top of baby maker. probably not much help it all looks the same, lots of tree's.

Thanks Andy. That's what I did on Saturday morning. I found Seagull run and rode it in both directions, then I managed to find the end of Tank Trap and traced it back to the start. That was awesome :-) I then stumbled upon jump gully and ran away very quickly :-O. Next Saturday I'll try and explore to the East of Surrey Hill Reservoir as there seems to be loads of stuff there.

I am planning to go to Swinley for a night-ride on Tue 14th (6.30pm ish). Let me know if you are keen to meet up. The trails should be dry for a change!

Afraid I've run out of brownie points at the moment. Something to do with getting home an hour after I promised to be home ...

Sorry BigGrin - I meant it as a call out to the general mtbbritain population, not excluding your good self of course

Anyway, if anyone is going and doesn't mind me tagging along let me know.

Sounds like fun. Would love to but my new (and first) lights are still in the post to me....

How long does it take to get to swinley from twickenham at that time? I could do with getting some mid week rides in over the winter and i'm only in putney so it could be done if the traffic is acceptable in the evening.

Also for the ride on saturday what sort of pace are we expecting to be going. I fancy bringing smash bike along for a play but at 39lbs it's a bit difficult to hustle.

From Twickenham it is probably 40 minutes to an hour as you are already past the worst traffic and on the A316. The M3 slows down when you go under the M25 (from 0 to 50mph) but then generally picks up to 50 to 70mph again soon after. By motorbike it takes me 20 minutes :-)

I am coming from the west but it takes about 25-30 mins going from Swinley to Twickenham. Going the other way (travelling west) would probably take a bit longer but should still be less than 45 mins.

cheers chaps i'll try and persude some work mates to take the night riding plunge and head down there soon.

I have problems finding my way back to the car in the daylight. I will never get back in the dark.

Phipsy

Looking forward to another Swinley bash, see you there on Saturday

Blimey, we'll be in double figure at this rate! Excellent stuff! I'm looking forward to this more than ever!

I got some stick off my wife last time. She reckons it's weird how I like to go off and meet blokes from an internet chatroom in secluded places. Especially when I told her I have to go up to total strangers and say things like "Hello, are you Earthworm Jim?". Sounds like a secret pass code to some ghastly outdoor perv club. You don't know if you're going to get punched or groped when you say stuff like that

Hehe, I get the same off my girlfriend.

Must admit, I am tempted to ask for day pass to get out on this ride. With so many people though it sounds pretty daunting too.

I've been grounded as I stayed out too long last Saturday, so I won't be able to make the "official" ride.
However I'm going to sneak out while she's still in bed on Saturday morning so I might bump into you all at some point - not literally I hope! The weather forecast looks perfect :-)

As it looks like it is going to be a larger group on Saturday I suspect the overall pace will be quite laid-back. But with the various stops between each 'section' there is always room for those who want to put the pedal to the metal.



One of the chaps on the forum has the name 'strapping young lad' - now that caused some questioning from the wife when I was replying to one of his posts!



Yeah, go for it.

Forum names, got to love 'em! I get strange looks off strangers when I meet up with guys from another forum and say "Hey Dirty Dog, how's things?" Call him DD now.

It's looking likely that I'll be along for the ride, got a mate's birthday drinks thing the night before but I'll be there.

BTW I couldn't see a meeting time for this Saturday, I assume it's the usual meet and 9am set off?

Tell her I'm going to bring the helmet cam on Saturday and see what her reaction is.

Looks like I've been told to go with you guys on Saturday.

Yes, you did read that right, told to go because I'll come back smiling and shut up about it.

Brilliant - she loved it!

Just wondering - are we going to have a Doctor in the house to lead us round? If not it looks like Al da man. Marcliam and I are competing for the Most Rubbish Swinley Trail Memory award, so we need someone who has a clue to take the lead. I've got plenty of tracklogs I can load up and follow as a backup if no-one else fancies it.

08:45ish for 09:00 kick off as usual?

I think the Dr will be in the house or woods.

Esshh I'm glad I've been off work since monday night.

If'n I can manage it. I'll try to leave a bit earlier and not end up rally-raiding the car park in my scrappy Almera again! (Much to the hilarity of the assembled masses, may I add)

Dunno if my mate's going to make it. He ruined his crank arms and is trying to get them repaired.

Bob - Time looks good for me.

I think the good Dr was due back yesterday/today and was hoping to make it.

Looks like we are going to have a sizeable group. If no Dr, perhaps we could choose route by some sort of democratic process, "all those in favour of babymaker say I!"

See you all tommorow.

Got back last night from a week away - been to a wedding in Poland (one of SWMBO's cousins) which (as expected) meant drinking copious quantities of vodka and eating vast amounts of cabbage and potato based foods (with lots of fatty meat thrown in for good measure) topped off with as much cake as you can squeeze down your gullett.

I've got "the nod" fom the Mrs, however I've managed to pick up a cold which I hope I can shake off, but they say that going out and getting some fresh air can sort a cold out.


Yarp
Muster in the car park for the compulsory pre-ride "fettling" and discussions on tyre pressures.


Yeah - they let me back into the country

so meeting at 8:45am but were???? post code would be great as i have issues directing myself out of the house let alone somewhere Ive never been

Also whats the conditions there wet or dry?

Coming from Southampton should be fairly simple. HERE is a map though.

There will be lots of bikers I'll be in a Silver Cilo or a Black L200 Warrior

Postcode is RG12 7QW.

At the moment it is generally dry with the odd muddy dip. Perfect :-)

Normal meeting place is, as you drive in take the first left into the first bay of parking and stop there. I'll be in a bluey/silvery renault laguna.

Don't forget to sign up, Andy!

My disappointed mate won't be making it after all. Not only has he failed to get his bike fixed (although he says that he will have it done tomorrow afternoon), he has family coming over in the morning who he has to entertain. I told him not to worry, he can come along next time.

Still, there's going to be at least twelve of us there! Is the car park big enough?

Maybe we can split into 2 groups one for those who want to ride a bit faster and those who ... erm ... don't. Despite my over-exertions at the last ride I'll be taking it strady this time.

Looks like the biggest group so far on a Swinley forum ride, should be fun / interesting! Shame we can't reserve a table at the lookout for after ride tea and natter!

Bob, don't forget to print off the list of riders contact details so we don't leave without anyone.

See you all in the morning.

No worries. Just awaiting replies to PMs sent to Gezza & Kyrotek re sharing transport as we're all coming up from the south coast.

Looks like its just going to be me as the wife has had a stinking cold all week, so I'll be in the Silver Cilo.

Hopefully sorting things out with Mr Bob for the trip up right now.

Only thing left to work out is; How much flapjack I have to make/bring along for the ride/group?