[Closed] Chilterns riders.

Not bad at the moment near the M40, the rain this weekend brought back a little bit of mud but only in a few localised places.

Got to be honest, was out at the weekend for the 1st time since June (when I broke my hard tail) and I was genuinely horrified that the trails were worse in August (when it has actually been quite dry) than they were in February!

That sounds good enough for me! And seen as the weather guys have promised us some decent weather for next week I would say not too shabby at all!
Cheers.

Or not too good reading your report Sheck, I think I will go with Grillas!

Its certainly the worst summer I've seen and I've been riding the Chilterns since circa 1990. A few, always prone places admittedly, have pretty much winter levels of mud, plus the wet weather has made the vegetation grow particularly well, so that has not helped.

Have to say that after all those years, I've lost the love for the Chilterns and am so glad to have got a road bike, though even today I was riding down a couple of back roads that have 'puddles' fully across them.

Sure its rideable, just expect to get a bit mucky.

TGO... I share your sentiments... I was genuinely wondering whether it's the bad summer, or the increased trail usage as cycling gets ever more popular, but some trails that used to be 18 inches wide are now 4 or 5 feet in places! I'm genuinely not sure how / when they'll recover, but I fear it won't be this year. I had been meaning to start a thread titled "where once there was single track" but felt it might have been a tad melodramatic

I know what you mean Sheck. The numbers riding bikes now in the Chilterns is great on so many levels, but I do think back to the old days and reminisce of being able to go on a ride on a Saturday morning and not see a single sole. Certain trails are getting a lot of use and its not doing some of them any good while they are damp and more susceptible to damage. I also feel that a number of fallen trees / logs have been placed in certain locations on purpose possibly due to issues with some riders riding without respect for others.

(Prior to this summer 🙁 ) regular Chilterns rider here. Its just this summer has been so wet. Trails were lovely in April and then got soaked.

Starting to dry again now, but vegitation - particularly nettles - an issue, but much more rideable now

[img] [/img]

The worst spot on my loop north of Reading today

TGO - I think it's the weather first and foremost. Have been riding in the Chilterns for over a decade, and the trails have remarkable power of recovery back into neat singletrack ribbons, even from being bulldozed wide in the mud

I was out on Sunday and Monday. A couple of puddles and just one or two squishy bits. But not gloopy mud or anything that will slow you down.

Really localised - sure in the valley bottoms you may get a bit of mud, but its a hilly area with thousands of trails to ride.

Biggest issue at the moment it the undergrowth which has taken on Triffid proportions.

You have to pick your trail with a bit of local knowledge or good map reading.

most of 'my' trails are struggling from lack use as much as anything so the undergrowth is getting out of hand.

that said, what was just starting to dry has recieved another dowsing this week.

Yup - I look like a self abuse teenager haveing ridden overgrown trails recently.

drying up - just in time for this http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/mtbike/2010/07/chilterns-challenge-woodcote-nr-reading-berksoxon/ 🙂