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I am firming up my schedule for a couple of weeks in the UK in July to promote my book. Only date that is firm is Lancashire on 23rd, but I plan to make stops in the South before that. I have interest in a lot of places, including Wales, Scotland and Isle of Man.
Arriving on the 11th, leaving when I run out of stuff to do. Bringing my riding shoes and a jersey, maybe someone will lend me a bike.
What kind of bike are you looking for? Have a vintage 98 18" Zaskar hanging in the garage in SE London that you can borrow if that works?
That sounds a little small. Also, I think my riding will take place more in the countryside than in town, but I am open to all suggestions.
I use SPD pedals, BTW.
Definitely worth a visit to the Isle of Man. You can hop on the boat from Heysham near Lancaster (in Lancashire). They'll carry your bike for free if you have found one by then. You'll miss the TT races by a month though which is a shame.
If you want trail riding then Wales and Scotland have the best of it. Natural all day epics then Lake District / Yorkshire Dales and Moors are worth a visit.
Where in the UK compares to California?
I guess you can ride anywhere here and not be cited for going over 15mph, and you don't need to worry about rattlesnakes or mountain lions. Or poison ivy.
In the unlikely event no-one else offers, I'd be happy to lend you a bike and show you around some trails. I could hardly do less having recently been taken for a tour of Santa Cruz. But sadly I live in the flattest part of the country after Lincolnshire! But a few hours driving gets to some good places.
If you find yourself in Hebden Bridge, drop me a line, and I can sort you out a bed and laundry, if you need it.
If you are anywhere near Edinburgh give me a shout. I'm just over the river, you are more than welcome to stay in the Pool Hoose
I believe Brett's been in touch with you re. your Isle of Man visit - if you can make it as near the end of the month as possible that'll be great, as I'm not back from Greece until the 22nd July. It'll be cool to see you here!
Plenty of excellent riding here too.
If you find yourself in the mtb Mecca that is Kent 😀 then I can get you some wheels, put you up for a night and introduce you to REAL beer 😉
Where in the UK compares to California?
The woods behind Nationwide in Swindon.
🙂
You're American.
You need to visit Loch Ness. It's the law for visitors to the UK from the States and the Far East.
Feel free to give me a shout if you get this far North. We host Warmshowers guests and like having bikey folk staying.
I also have a range of bikes with SPD pedals and quite happy to show off some quality local trails if you want.
Lakes (four passes), Wales (Snowdonia), Scotland (Fort William if you're downhill orientated). Everywhere else is just playing at it.
You need to visit Loch Ness. It's the law for visitors to the UK from the States and the Far East.
Been there, done that. Visited Fort Bill some years back along with Mr. Fisher. Would love to get there again.
If you fancy a trip to the UK's biking mecca, our version of Mt Tam*, you can hire a bike at the Lookout or I'll happily lend you a large Salsa or a spingleseed.
* May not be accurate description of Swinley.
Repack Rider based in the Lakes could always show you around and put you up for a couple of nights have a few spare bikes from fat to thin 🙂
15th of July is my weekend Off
don't forget to pack your cagoule, we have weather over here!
@Repack , I'd you get anywhere near Stroud , Gloucestershire, I will sort bikes , beer , BBQ , good coffee , malt whisky and a room I'd required .
Email in profile .
I'm in Cardiff, I'm 5'11 and I could lend you a bike and show you trails. Plenty of them down here.
Singletrack Towers is but 30minutes away from your Lancashire speaking date, and we have been known to have a bicycle or two in the office!
Heck Repack, speak to Hannah, we need the stories and the history in the mag!
Happy to offer a bed, a bike, a meal or two, plus show you around the Peak District if you fancy. Email in profile.
we need the stories and the history in the mag!
Buy the book. As a subscriber I don't need 'it' in the mag 'it' has been done to death
Repack - Surrey Hills here.. can always find a bike kicking around between my riding group and have a spare diwan/bed in the study etc
Goes without saying you are more than welcome.
IN lancashire but probably too small to lend you a bike but I have mediums if any use
Happy to share a ride with you and unlikely to be able to provide dry and dusty
Where is the date in lancashire ?
I'm a warmshowers cycle host so you are more than welcome to stay with me in Kirkcudbright/s-w scotland for a few days and i'll show you round the best of Galloway/S-W Scotland riding spots, got a van to transport us around the area etc. Jacquie Cunningham will vouch for me - I'm not a wierdo 😉
Couple of bikes you could use dependant on the trails,
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Kinesis Tripster "gravel type bike: in a 55cm frame,
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Cove Hummer 18" frame in either rigid mode or with 140mm suspension forks fitted.
email in profile if you want further info.
Scotland (Fort William if you're downhill orientated).
This made me smile 🙂
Let me know if you'll make it as far as Belfast!
I'm in South Wales too, come and visit me for a night or two. I'm slap bang between Brechfa, Cwmrhaedr, Afan and Glyncorrwg. Right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Garnant.
There is a [url= http://www.britishdownhillseries.co.uk/bds-round-4-moelfre/ ]British Downhill series[/url] round on the 30th at Moelfre in north Wales. I'm sure there will be some folk there that would like to talk to you and be interested in your book. Myself for one although I will be marshalling so unless you take a walk up the hill I doubt I would see you.
Hopefully there will be quite a few well known people there such as both current world champions, a few past champions and likely future champions as well as people deeply involved in the history of MTB in the UK.
I'm in Longridge, Lancashire, happy to show you a few of our local trails. Although SPD bikes may be a bit small. 54cm Crossbike and an older 18" Full Susser.
Im in Reading, welcome to stay here and have a few Large / XL 29ers we could take for a spin. Not too far from Heathrow, if you need any help and I am still not working then.
Slap bang in the middle of Wales here.
I have bikes that fit my 6'4" self available. And great local trails.
And a spare room.
Could hook up with a couple of local shops and clubs too.
You could probably join a Monday night pub ride from singletrack towers.
We normally only have space for royalty at the Christmas party but the committee could probably make an exception.
Tentative dates:
London: Thursday, July 14
Nottingham: Friday, July 15
Sheffield (or Leeds or Newcastle): Saturday, July 16
Lancashire 23rd
My people are looking at the dates in between.
Thank you all for your interest.
We have booked a few dates, looking to add a few more.
[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/charlie-kelly-in-dorset-day-12997-p.asp ]15th July in Dorset[/url]
16th July in Nottingham (Broadway, no link yet)
[url= https://www.list.co.uk/event/762738-an-evening-with-charlie-kelly/ ]23rd July in Lancashire[/url]
I'm reading this thread in California, having stopped mid-ride for a coffee in the San Diego Hills!!
If you are down in East Sussex I'm sure I can sort out either a road ride with pubs, or some MTB on the South Downs!
17th to 22nd Scotland!
Why not come and visit Chez Sanny and McMoonter and his palatial stately home / shed creation zone? He is based just north of Edinburgh while I am in Glasgow. Between us, we will be able to get you biked up and riding some fine Scottsh Trails - Aviemore for big mountain scenery and wonderful forest trails, North Berwick for outstanding technical beach riding, Pitlochry for beautiful scenery and trails - we can incorporate everything including bothys, castles and Urbex adventures. Oh and we have none of those silly restrictions on access that you enjoy in the States. Cafe and pub stops a prerequisite.
Cheers
Sanny
Sannyatsingletrackworld.com
Ps You really do need to book in time for the Lake District. To come to the UK and not ride there would be a missed opportunity.
+1 for warmshowers, if you're prepared to host random cyclist strangers (even just in a tent) there's no harm in signing up. We've had a couple of very well behaved guests, I've not actually stayed in one yet. Think of it as a Freecycle version of airbnb.
Free bed and 29er hardtail bike to borrow in Somerset if you fancy. 5min walk from mainline station. Would love to show you some Quantock singletrack if you come down this corner. Email me.
Also know the Malverns v well, which has a certain place in UK MTB history.
I appreciate all the kind offers! As the schedule sorts itself out, I will try to add some of these locations.
Torn between invites from Isle of Man and Edinburgh. I may have to pick one or the other.
Edinburgh's probably nice ( ;)...) but the Isle of Man is compact, bijou, retro and you can't ride too far without hitting a pub/cafe or falling off the edge. And Brett's a decent host too... Come over and say hello!
Looks like we will be adding a couple of dates. I have an offer from a shop in London. I won't post the name until it is confirmed.
Likewise, I have an offer from S****horpe.
Is there much mountain biking in S****horpe?
Poster for the S****horpe gig.
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