Oooh just read that again AB i love a mystery !

I'm due to have my kids that weekend, but with a good turnout like this i guess i'd better put in an appearance, if only to set the pace….

My pay to pack lights incase if semi dark finish, 35miles is alot to pack into a winter ride on the Tox.

Set the pace ? 35 miles ?good job yer joking !Aren't you ?

No OF, i'm not kidding, time you boyz up'd the pace and bash out more than a few climbs/descents.

May i suggest intercoms so we can do the socialising whilst riding, and soup in the camelbacs so we can eat on the move.

Yeah but don't forget we aren't all on the same medication as you 😆

As Dibbs is gonna make an effort, i may join in too, but as you said..
"We're not all on the same Sh*t as Sharki", so might only be good for 20 or so miles !!!

Problem is the Q's may sink if there is too big a turnout

Will be there

with waterproof socks
4 seasons camping kit
Bogsnorkle
and scaffold planks to put across the big pudddles

20 Qs miles is plenty for a winters day out. Good point SD(how was the holiday ?)

Holiday my arse 2 weeks in france and no chance / time to use my bike 😥

Kitchen is fitted though 😕

will give you a ring tomorrow

Mr K don't worry about too big a turnout weather conditions might thin em out a bit !You got a plan yet ?I'm thinking 9 for 930 start what do you reckon ? Also think the pub idea probably won't work time wise .You think any different ?

It's a short winter's day. Let's concentrate on the riding, hip-flasks and cake. Where do you think we should congregate?

Stuart i'm leaving details in the capable hands of Mr K and Shane .Think the plan is to start from the car park at Holford by the green .Further details to follow .Also message for Mr K and any other interested parties Chipps is looking for some company on the Sunday .Not sure i can get a 2 day pass so if any interest post it on here .

I'd have been up for this but have tickets for the Motorcycle show @ NEC

i may try to get down for a weekend away, only ridden there once before but well worth another visit, may consider camping

35miles? I very much doubt it 🙂

Allow 15 minutes of faffing per rider that turns up (so two riders = 30 mins, 20 riders = 5 hours), then add that to the maximum ride time for the slowest rider and you'll find you have a short day. I've done many group rides (and photoshoots) where we've only ridden eight miles all day – it's just the Law of Group Inertia…

I'm bringing lights…

In past years I've always parked at Holford, then ridden over to the Bicknoller Inn for lunch (because you have no choice but to ride back up and over…) – I think cake and hipflasks might be wiser than trying to get lunch for 20 people. Any idea on a meeting place and vague time yet?

Yup I'm up for this and will bring van down and make a weekend of it camping. Dont mind distance and will bring lights.

pencil me in!
Gluvine anyone?

well it has to start from Crowcombe park carpark (thats kinda the law around here). As for times Im local so i can be there at anytime so shall we say 9.30 fo ten start or 9 for 9.30 start ? Oldfart , your call ?

Just read through this post and it's reminded me of the lovely few days i had being shown around the Tox by the locals while i was in the area on hols last year. My missus and her family were more than a little worried when i said i was off to meet "Knottie" and "Sharki" for a bit of "muddy riding" in a deserted car park on top of a bleak hill… (hello to you both, by the way!)
Happy days 🙂

What's the Carew Arms like in Crowcombe? I might have to stay more local if I'm to make the start of the ride in time… Otherwise driving from Wincanton is going to take 90 mins or so and there's no way you'll get me up before 8am on a Saturday (or any day for that matter…)

The Combe House Hotel at Holford looked nice, and did a cracking cream tea 🙂

Right then .As Mr K has decided on Crowcombe car park for the start shall we try and get everybody ready to rock n roll for 10 at the latest ?Gives more far flung people a bit longer .Andy have you now changed your watch from BST !!!! :lol:O r have you got to stop at Cannington again !!!! 8)
Chipps Hood Arms @ Kilve is supposed to be v.good and MTBer friendly .Obviously i wouldn't know myself but worth an enquire and a lot closer than Wincanton.

Chipps
Thats a realy lame get out clause ,try the Hood in Kilve.

Mr K are you working a grubwagon stop into the ride ?

"Gluvine anyone"

Now you're talking! Hope to see you there Great White.

grub wagon stop will depend on the weather really so take cake and stuff to eat.

The hood is a little pricey, but the land lord might swing a deal if it gets a mention/add in the Mag.

The Old ciderhouse or Rose and crown on Nether Stowey are both good and MTB friendly.

Chipps, fancy doing a Mendip ride on the sunday? Later start?

I'd love to come along. Pencil me in. The Carew Arms is very nice – good food, and good service but 20+ mTBers may alarm them!!

So is it going to be Crowcombe? What time?

As in previous reply .Crowcombe Park Gate carpark .We need to be gone by 10 at the latest i reckon .So youv'e got nearly 3 weeks get yer fettling done before hand and save faffing on the day !Ooooh i am so assertive !!!!

Ooooh i am so assertive !!!!

I say, steady on old chap,you can't make any decisions yet, this thread hasn't even made it to a 3rd page…

"Chipps, fancy doing a Mendip ride on the sunday? Later start?"

I'm probably up for that if I've any clean cycling clobber left by then. Going up there tomorrow; I've packed my snorkel.

I was planning doing a mellow ride on the Sunday, so yes, count me in.
I'll try the pub in Crowcombe first – Kilve is all the way round the other side of the hills!
Can you tell that I'm not good in the mornings yet? 🙂

If this is a chance to find the many secrets to the Qs Id happily tag along, as long as there's room for a fatty that goes downhill faster and in equal proportion to coming back up! Plus those coombes are steep 😳

Oldfart; you bu****er you 😈 think I'll go down Friday afternoon now that the van is back on the road.

Chipps; we used B & Bs in Holford in Oct which were pretty good, although the Hood looks a much better bet for a decent night, than the pub in Holford.

Candodavid; + 1 for a mendips pootle on Sunday.

Andy good for you bruv !Thats one less to wait for !Ooooh a Mendip ride on the Sunday i'll start negotiating a 2 day pass .Stuart as Chipps wants mellow i reckon he would like the Hunters Lodge .Reckon we could organise something round there and Stockhill as well !Bit of road riding but it's only about 15 minutes from the edge of Stockhill to Nordrach b/path to link back to Charterhouse .Any more takers for Sunday on the Mendips .
What am i doing ?Barging in and taking over sorry !

Oh Andy i reckon you would like the Hunters as well btw .

I love the Hunters' – mud and beards are welcome. But the riding around there is a bit limited.

It's Cando's gig. I'm happy to go with whatever! BTW Chipps might be interested in the brand new Bad Ass Bikes shop in Burrington Combe.

Yeah i got carried away give Cando a chance to give it some thought.Just one suggestion though .If ride started at BAB shop we could use the link then up onto Blackdown to the masts then Charterhouse Nordrach road it to Stockhill then Hunters .Then back the same way with playtime on Blackdown /Rowberrow depending on time etc etc ?Chipps did say mellow .