Forum menu
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?
Ah glad it's still on, looking forward to this one.
nick - will e-mail you with route. Been a busy weekend with Chilterns recce on Saturday and that Exmoor ride yesterday 🙂
Reckon I said 10.30 am meet for 11.00 pedal.
Coolio.
[b]Final details[/b]
Meet in Watlington village car park (not the hilltop one) at 10.30 am to start riding at 11.00 am. Car park is free! Here's the link:
www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=469071&Y=194415&A=Y&Z=110&ax=469071&ay=194415
Route will be around 25 miles at a social pace including two options of shortening the ride. Terrain will be undulating and will include some singletrack, fast loose descents but, you have been warned, some of the tracks are very overgrown! There will be a fair amount of climbing, you can't avoid it in the Chilterns.
Some local Chiltern riders have very kindly offered to help out and they will be given a copy of the route. Polite request - could they please let themselves be known to me 🙂
During the ride, if anyone wants to cut it short can they please speak to me. I will happily guide you back. Nobody will get left behind.
You will need to bring a picnic and be self-sufficient. There will be lots of photographic opportunities - much prettiness and hundreds of red kites 8)
There is a pub with garden 100 metres before the car park and it would be rude not to sample the beer 😉
Phew! I hope that covers it but do post up if you have any questions. My email is in profile too. Can we have a rollcall now please?
Finally - the smiley-itis virus will be hitting the Chilterns this weekend so please be extra nice to other trail users 😀
As far as I remember the carpark is very busy but you can always park on the street further up the road I believe.
plus a chippy around the corner...
Waves to HackneyRider - does that mean we will see you and RudeBoy then? 😀
I'm still 50/50 on this Elaine.... It depends on how my prep fro the Alps trip on the 23rd are going. Nothing to do with the weather at all. Noooooooo.
Did you order a THT jersey by the way?
Hi Pete. OK, no probs. Not sure if Andy is coming either.
Yep, ordered a jersey - have they arrived yet?
to be honest I'm not sure - I was thinking doing some bike skills training this weekend plus I've just got a new car and I'm not sure RB is allowed in it yet!
Ollie
I'm sorry we won't be able to make it, as I'd forgotten I have to organise the Farnborough Flier a 12km multi terrain race on this day, its a shame as I'd much rather be riding my bike.
Have a lovely ride, and well done with all your planning cinnamon_girl.