Seeing as there are loads of folk interested in a Chilterns ride, please mark the above date in your diary.
Led by local riders, you are promised an excellent day of riding in a gorgeous part of Southern England. Riding will comprise of undulating terrain, sometimes wooded, plenty of fab singletrack, quality descents and accompanying us will be the inevitable red kites.
Probably around 20-25 miles and Summer Solstice celebrations will follow in the village pub across from the car park.
Ride will start from Watlington, close to the M40. Link, start time and further information to follow.
So ... who's up for this?
Oops, should have said it will be a picnic ride 😀
Youse'll probbly start at some ridiculously early hour, so I'll have to travel down several days beforehand, and stay somewhere.
I went for a ride on Sunday; left my house at [i]half past twelve[/i]! Ooh, the decadence...
will clothes be needed for the solstice celebrations?
P.S. isn't that mountain mayhem weekend, if so, i'm out 🙁
Fred - NEARER for you than the New Forest and Westbury!
rOcKeTdOg - clothing is optional for the celebrations 😉
darn i think i may be away around the 21st, if not i'm up for it.
It'd be great to get down to the chilterns again, I haven't been for a ride down that way for years. You can count me in and probably one or two others.
Possible date clash with family stuff, but could be a go-er.
Im free, count me in.
CG can't swing 2 Sundays in a row !!!!!you're coming on the safari aren't you? see you there .
i can't make it - hope you all have a great time 🙂
I can make the 21st, but Oldfart makes a good point, maybe we should try and space these out so there's 1 group ride a month?
grrr - can't make it - i'll be in California 😀 😀 😀
who decided on the 21st?
I'm sorry 😳
It's just not possible to please everyone 😥
The good news is that there's loads of STW Forum Rides going on these days so that does mean everyone gets an opportunity to get to at least one!
What's a girl supposed to do 🙄
Count me in ... despite having a girly day in London on the Saturday have got my day pass hooray!(husband away in US all this week so good time to ask him!)
Yep, cool, I'm in.
don't apologise CG at least someone is doing the organising .you will always get moaning minnies!
nick - could you let me know your ideas for routes. Email in profile. Thanks.
oldfart - thank you. I may well have to organise another one at Swinley Forest to help make up for the disappointments 😀
Yup I'd be up for Chilterns jaunts - not sure about this date but keen to meet up with people & learn some new trails. Tend to ride out of the Henley area midweek/weekends
may well have to organise another one at Swinley Forest to help make up for the disappointments [:D]
sounds good too.
Sounds good, don't think I have the kids that weekend so hopefully will be there.
Ian
50/50
That's the weekend before we go to t'Alps so we'll see......
Yep.
I usually pop down there once a month and do what was known as the Russ Pinder route that used to be listed on the old STW route guide is it part of that?
21st should'nt be a problem.
Just wondering - would people prefer to have a pub lunch or drink somewhere, mid-ride as it were?
There is a pub at the end of the ride, by the car park, but unfortunately it doesn't have London Pride anymore 😥
oldgit - I don't know that route, could you describe it please.
might come along if thats ok - my mum lives in Thame and I think we are visiting around that time. I grew up in Chinnor so used to ride round there a bit.
"oldgit - I don't know that route, could you describe it please."
I can't actually I kinda just know where to go, it does start at Cowlease Woods not Christmas Common though. It does stay off road for 36 miles and takes about 3.5 hours
hmm, that's not too far off, I could well be tempted.
Would love to come but will be on Hols.
Have a good one - and let us know if you plan any others in the Chilterns.
Cheers
C-G I'll dig a map out today (hopefully) and have look at routes.
C-G Nick it goes through these places?
Cowleaze Woods > Getty Estate > Northend > Pishill > Catslip > Satwell > Kingswood Common > Stoke Row (Bush Wood) > Howberry Wood > Nuffield (Heycroft Shaw) > Park Wood > Park Corner (Digberry Lane) > Chiltern Way > Harcott Hill > Swans Way > Lower Warren (The Ridgeway) > Follow Ridgeway all the way to Hill Farm near M40 and climb back up to Cowlease Woods car park.
Ish?
More or less I reckon.
I know the area fairly well - it's my local trails, so all things being well I'll come along if you don't mind me bring up the rear.
(will be in Super slow mode by then)
Andy - get that Superlight over to the Chilterns on the 21st, final ride before PdS. If Mr Poddy can (probably) make it, so can you 😉
watly_biker and tinker_belle - looking forward to meeting you both. tinker_belle - your op must have gone well if you are now riding?
oldgit - thanks, will check the map later.
Can I come play, please?
Tinker didn't have an op. in the end, just lots of rest. It will be her first time back on the bike this weekend.
Guys I was only pointing out where I've been. I was'nt suggesting it as a route and I'd love to be shown some new stuff.
oldgit - I'm glad that you posted that up, had a little look at the map and it looks a good one. Am happy for people to post up suggestions, after all I'm not a local but just like riding in the Chilterns 🙂
tinker_belle - good luck for your first ride back!
My suggestion for a longer loop.
Frrom Watlington town car park, up Hill Road, left onto Swans Way to Dame Alice Farm, then up to Woods Farm then Cookley Green. Bridleway past nature reserve to Bix Bottom. Oxfordshire Way, then Warmscombe Lane to Middle Assendon. Road to Fawley Bottom then Fawley, then Bridleway from Roundhouse Farm to Reservoir Hill, the on to Upper Woodend Farm. Road to Kimble Farm, then offroad to Turville, then Turville Court, Turville Heath. Holloway Lane to Northend, bridleway from Launders Farm, Oxfordshire Way towards Stonor. Road into Pishill. Offroad to Russels Water.
At this point anyone that's had enough can retrace the outward route through Cookley Green and Woods farm to Watlington.
For a longer route bridleway from Russels Water to Westwood Manor Farm, turn right to Park Corner. Follow the Chiltern Way past Harcourt Hill then right onto Swans Way. Then right onto Ladies Walk, Colliers Bottom, then onto road - Church Lane- back to Cookley Green, then back to Woods farm for a nice descent to Dame Alice Farm, then a bit of the Swans Way before you head down the hill to the car park and the pub.
Oooh this sounds good. I will try and make it. I haven't made it up there before as I normally ride on the other side of the M40(Wendover). Just hope the pace won't be too fast as I haven't been on the bike much due to work commitments.
r6ymy - your route as far as Turville is the same as the mag one a couple of years ago.
Am hoping to check out some new trails this weekend, reckon the problem being that we're spoilt for choice 😀
curtis - don't worry about pace, you'll be fine!
I'll be down there on Sunday starting from Chrismas Common, will look out for you.
My mum lives in Watlington so I'll definitely try & make this one as it'll also be a good excuse to drop by.
50/50 chance of making this one, I'll let you know nearer the time Elaine
🙂
Looking like a good turnout!
I will try and get to it. Can I wear my thong for the solstice celebrations?
CG , can you give me some more details ! Sounds good and its somewhere i'd like to ride but have never been .Its not too far away from where i live so must be worth a visit 😉
I would love to make an appearance as its very local for me, although i will be coming back from AQR, Luchon the day before so i may want to make a very large imprint on the sofa that day.
i'm going to try to get down for this, i reckon. 🙂
CG - Is this the ride that you mentioned in your email? I will put it in my diary but I may be in Madrid that weekend - not sure yet. Thanks for the route advice - I am going to try route A from the testvalley site, starting in Vernham Deam - apparently "very challenging".
Sounds good should be able to make it, great riding in that area!
WCA - leave the thong at home please!
Everyone welcome, shall be posting more details nearer the time. Basically starting from Watlington and around 20-25 miles including the inevitable one or two hills! Problem is there are so many great trails that one is spoilt for choice. I promise it will be interesting with something to please just about everyone!
london_lady - yes it is. That Test Valley route will not be challenging for you cos you're super-fit! If it's any help, I would say that routes V and W combined would be better, also more scenic. Do you have mapping software? If so, I could send some gpx files through. I know that area really well and there's loads of good riding.
cinnamon_girl
I have emailed you some routes from Nettlebed. Another route from fingest which is a killer from the rough ride book. It can be split up easily into managable chunks but if you want to ache the next day have a go whole.I am of course going on my own lack of fitness. I would love to come along but weekends are for the family do most of my riding mid week lookout and chilterns.
A big slap on the back for doing this very brave you will never please everybody.
Thanks dalepoint, that's kind of you. I have the Rough Ride book and the other week I rode the Ibstone route which could be the Fingest one you mention.
I'm used to organising rides (have a thick skin too) but I always make it clear what to expect. There's nothing worse than turning up for a ride and being left for dust.
I'm hoping that I can get a couple of folk on board to help with the leading and sweeping. Any volunteers out there?
CG, happy to do whatever running around you need me to do.
nick - thanks. Am hoping to recce some more new trails this BH weekend. Have the tracks dried out a bit?
CG - yes we have tracklogs - if you could send me the gpx files that would be great. Have a good weekend riding.
Yep was out last night, and they've stood up quite well given the amount of rain recently. Couple of good sunny days should see them completely dry again.
Not sure if I can make this one. Big ride on the Saturday..... hmm but if there was cake.......
london_lady - will send over the BH weekend.
rich - you want some Pringles? Would be good if you can make it.
sound like a good day ,, count me in,, singlespeed friendly?
Looks unlikely i can make it. CG, i'll try and sort a date for a North Hampshire-Andover-Bourne Valley ride. What weekends in the next couple of months are free-ish from races etc.
Rusty
Ade, singlespeed friendly? well sort of but I've had my fill of finishing up the Hill Farm climb on the singlespeed. But otherwise yes.
I've had my fill of finishing up the Hill Farm climb on the singlespeed
Why don't you try starting from Watlington then? You get that climb out of the way early on and can finish the ride with a descent then a gentle ride along Swans Way.
Working that weekend. Pah.
ade - oh yes indeed! Am only going to throw in one or two climbs. Hell, I may even ride my singlespeed!
rusty - that's bad luck cos it will be a cracking ride. As regards dates, I don't do racing so looking at July onwards. The only date I can't do is the 11th July when I'm paying homage to a guitar god. Would be useful to run the planned route by you for your opinion so perhaps towards the end of July? E-mail in profile.
r6ymy - it's pretty certain we will start from Watlington.
tootallpaul - that's a shame cos your Turner would enjoy it!
Just another plug for this in case anyone hasn't seen the thread.
Still fine-tuning the route but will definitely start from Watlington. Link and more info a bit nearer the time so keep checking back.
Fingers and toes crossed that these fab conditions continue 🙂
Are we still on for this?
I usually ride with just a bottle, tube, Co2 and levers without a stop.
I guess this is going to be a steady stop start ride, so take my Camelbak cash and camera yes.
oldgit - we most certainly are! Don't forget your picnic 🙂
i fear my off road skills are a little rusty as seen training for blenhiem tri,, and the ss is in need of a new chain freewheel , front ring , and jockey wheels for the bb mounted tensioner, but we will be there
Oldgit, this is an excuse for a natter and a pint, heavily disguised by riding around (slowly) in the woods.
Next question;
Singlespeed or gears?
Either one, I don't think we're going to be heading anywhere where you'd not manage.
I'll be along too and know all the trails there so can help out where necessary.
I'll try and make it, as long as you don't mind a slow old g*t 😉
The more the merrier 🙂 Thanks for the offer m'Lord
I shall be the slow old girl at the back 🙄
Working all weekends till the and of term, no days off at all 🙁
Bad luck Kris 🙁
Guess that means there will be more bl**dy cyclists on the road then 😉
I will be posting up final details tomorrow. Watch this space!
Better do a rollcall too 🙂
What time are we kicking off then?