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Hey,
In a week or so I will be moving down south to Bournemouth to become a student (all be it a mature one... 29) Does anyone ride in the New Forest and know of the better more technical stuff that's legal?
I would be keen to meet up with a few local riders, (i'm no xc whippet) and will be riding a singlespeed, is the terrain too challenging for this?
I have a copy of the Singletrack route around the Purbecks which I will probably check out, where else is worth having a look at?
Thankyou in advance,
Bod
fun bunch. i haven't been out with the club for a while but they probably know the forest better than most.
SS is the best tool down ere. 😀
Cheers thom,
Its a rigid singlespeed, sounds like I made the right choice then!
I have already had a look at 'newforce' via their website. I will probably get in touch with them. 🙂
Where abouts are you based??
i'm in eastleigh but ride with the newforce a fair bit - seems to be more winchester night rides than weekends at the mo - but as soon as the clocks go back and it gets muddy i'm sure i'll be out at weekends...
there is also good riding on the isle of wight, over blandford way, uk bike park, puddletown...
there's a purbecks ride this month organised from this forum
Aye, purbecks ride is on 27th, you should come along. Not done that much riding in the forest, not as good as Purbecks IMO unless you go cheeky.
check out DDR [url= http://www.dorsetroughriders.co.uk/about.php ]DRR Website[/url]
I'm a DRR, we are a friendly bunch!
Forest has some interesting parts, but purbecks / canford heath or wareham forest are more likely to be what you are looking for.
I don't know the newforce crowd to be honest, no doubt a nice bunch, but most of their rides start in the Winchester area, which is 30 miles out of bournemouth up the M3. Most of our rides start within 10-15 mins ride from the uni!
loads of us ride ss, even over the purbs, so you will be right at home, other than the thursday eve ride which is quite pacey.
Also Bournemouth uni might have a mtb club / society.
Dive in to Ride Cycleworks in Ashley Cross Poole and speak to Rich or John. They run weekly evening rides in the Purbecks for all abilities and fitness levels (50+ riders some weeks!) decent lights will be needed this time of year though.
Also most Sundays there will be a few leaving the Sandbanks ferry about 10ish that should be happy to show you around.
Forum ride on 27th Sept, meeting at Ferry at 9.30ish, (very) roughly organised by me.
Alternatively, just drop me a line and i'll show you around. Rigid ss is ok if you're fit and have strong wrists. If it's an old one, there's a retro ride down here in a couple of weeks time too.
Cheers for the replies, unfortunately I don't think i will have the opportunity to make the 27th, I move down on the 26th and will probably still be finding my feet/unpacking.
The Dorset Rough riders look a good bunch to become involved with. I will probably make it along for one of their rides within the next few weeks... will probably be looking to ride twice a week with a group
(one night ride and a weekend ride and then once a week solo to allow some exploration of the area)
What are the best local bike shops in the area? I presume Ride Cycleworks must be one?
Does the Sandbanks ferry run throughout the winter? I was looking at using that to get across to the Purbecks.
Unfortunately the S/S isn't that retro. I ride mainly in the peaks but with gears and full suspension so i'm looking forward to evolving into a singlespeeder although I have been through a s/s phase before.
Cheers again.
Bod
few good shops in poole - primera is good and bikelab is one of the best shops i know of.
Finding feet/unpacking - does that mean nursing a hangover from the first night in the union bar by any chance?
Spoilt for choice on the shop front here, other than Ride, good local shops are Bikelab in Poole and Primera who have a shop in Poole (mtb) and one in Charminster (roadie bling).
Sandbanks ferry runs most of the winter (depending on repairs/servicing). Rides keep going all year though, either on Canford Heath in Poole or Wareham forest or similar. Still 40 odd riders out last week in the dark, but this will undoubtably drop when it gets chilly and wet.
Seem to be quite a few switching to s/s at the moment, so it must be do-able, just not with my lack of fitness.
The hangover nursing was supposed to be this last weekend, but I couldn't have had that much because I was up and around by 9am.
I have already been checking out Canford Heath on the O/s maps and that would be a good loop to do from where I will be living. What are the general 'rules' on trails around there? I see there are two bridleways across it, i'm not a fan of cheeky trails in sensitive areas!
Local bikeshops are always good to know... I will check them out. Thanks.
Cheekiest trail down here is along Bournemouth seafront! Speed guns out and nicking anyone over 10mph - sounds like a joke, sadly isn't.