First real ride at Swinley (with exception of kids parties), so a real treat today. Just over 4 hours of great routes, getting lost and finally getting knackered. Tried to stick to the WMB Classic Ride (June 2012) for the most part, except return to CP and repeated a few trails. Such contrast in such a small area. Had an early giggle repeating Corkscrew a few times – glad I didn’t know about the little early drop off (my current mental block). I think you have to work harder here than most of S Hills, due to the frequent ups and down and lots of berms, min drops, roots etc which keep you busy on a HT. Enjoyed Seagull and Tank Traps (4x) and still cant work out Stickler – where did that go!! Got a bit lost around the reservoir and turned too early on LHS when trying to find Deerstalker. But fun trails in that area as well. Suicide Gully (?), Deerstalker and Labyrinth all great fun – imagine if D’stalker was longer!! After 3 and a bit hours, I found Labyrinth surprisingly tiring. No idea of the names on the trail on the way home but loads of berms and the odd energy sapping little climb. Wishing I was on a FS by the end.
Thanks again loum for that map – I superimposed that and the WMB route (a little dodgy) on to Open Street and seemed to work reasonably well. Thanks also to the two really nice guys who I met on D’staker (Stumpy evo and Giant Trance). Very kind of you to show a tired bloke the best way home from D’stalker.
PSA: do not buy annual pass now. Lady in the Look Out told me that when CP charges are introduced (Sep 17 2012), the CP fee covers riding and permits are being scrapped. No harm in donating the annual pass fee given the great work the trail builders do, but no longer necessary after Sep 17.
Can’t wait to get back, but surprisingly tired now!
