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I've only ever done the daytime "shop" rides, I can get lost/dropped in daylight.
The people at the front and the middle know where they are going and are probably faster than you anyway both uphill and down (everyone is faster than me).
Bad mouthing the shop because you got lost is pretty bad form in my view, particularly on a night ride where I strongly suspect the people at the back are really slow and tentative. If you want to go on a guided ride pay Richard at All Biked Up £30+, he only does daytime rides.
Bad mouthing the shop because you got lost is pretty bad form in my view
No one's actually done that.
Agree re getting a proper guide.
Off topic, but someone mentioned the shop "Moto Sport", did they used to do a XC race series? Just wondering as I think I did my 1st ever MTB race with them - recognise the name 🙂
Off topic, but someone mentioned the shop "Moto Sport", did they used to do a XC race series? Just wondering as I think I did my 1st ever MTB race with them - recognise the name
Yes,I think they used to sponsor that race at the Land of Nod, past Hindhead.
That was a great venue!
Indeed they did. The shop became Beyond in 1997, and they stopped using the Land of Nod soon after.
I've heard stories of folk being dropped on Nirvana rides. No issue with that myself, as long as folk know that it's not a 'wait for the slowest man' ride. Agree that the reputation of the shop is perhaps being damaged if there are rides nothing to do with the shop.
Have bumped into a various people at different times that after general chatting the subject of Nirvana rides (daytime) comes up and they seem quite pissed that they got dropped or a friend did.
But yes, maybe it's just down to an understanding that it's that kind of ride.
I do Troll rides and normally they are fast as the slowest and that means they'll lay on a sweeper to ensure no one gets dropped, however they have a fast ride and it's established if you can't keep up... see ya! 😀
And yes, lots of rides start from Nirvana's place. I do some myself from there as it's an easy place for people to find. Just mates out for a lark. Though personally I find parking round there a nightmare and some Westcott locals stuck up snooty bunch (though I take my opinions partly from "that" TV show that didn't put the place in a good light 😉 ).
Most Nirvana rides I've been on go down something I'm a bit nervous of to say the least. Often there is no alternative line immediately obvious or indeed at all. The Surrey Hills are not a trail centre, often there is no chicken line (so you ride it or man handle your bike over the jump/gap/feature etc). As such you could get easily dropped, stuck in the middle of "no where". I go to watch decent riders ride stuff and to be shown new trails, for the company of a good group of people and to push my riding a bit.
I was referring to "bad mouthing" as people inferred that being dropped was giving the shop a bad name.
Been using Nirvana for some years now, as a Yorkshireman myself I find bluff straight talking Simon amusing. Nowt rong wi tellin it like it is...
Yes,I think they used to sponsor that race at the Land of Nod, past Hindhead.
That was a great venue!
It was at Stanstead Park, Rowlands Castle. 95 I think.
I'm another regular and the main lead rider from the 6.30 night ride starting at Nirvana - as Matt and Charlie have already said, its not really a Nirvana ride just a bunch of locals (Dorking Cocks) who find it a convienient starting point.
No ride has ever started out with the intention of losing anyone although as mentioned it has happened. Many people do turn up for a ride with us, some we only see the once where as others have returned and become regular riders.
We always do our best not to drop anyone whilst also trying not to compromise the ride - remember, the regulars all look forward to their weekly ride and it can be very frustrating to have 12 or 13 people hanging around at every junction for a newbie to catch up.
Rich, I can't recall the ride you mention but I do remember you, I seem to remember the 1st time you came along happened to be the night of our Christmas meal many years ago now.
Many people do turn up for a ride with us, some we only see the once
Analogies to Spinal Tap drummers come to mind. It's not everyone's cup of tea.
Is any of the Land Of Nod venue still rideable?
OS map suggests no public access, but...you know 😉
mattjg - Member
Analogies to Spinal Tap drummers come to mind
They spontaneously explode somewhere on the trail? 😮 😀
It's never been witnessed but we have returned to the site of last contact to find a pile of ash and a charred helmet.
Smiles, fist pumps with blones, even a dog walker hugging a mountain biker (TB is very huggable though 🙂 ). Just another Nirvana Freeride practice ride
too much standing around for my taste (plus I'm a bit of a wuss) but horses for courses of course. which one's you?
Wasn't all standing around that was a 28 mile ride!
Another vote for Nirvana from me. Have always found the shop to be friendly and helpful in the year i have been riding and i would not have tried half the stuff i have without Simons advice and encouragement.
Which is the trail from 1:30 in that vid?
It's the new "secret" jump trail no one's (*cough*) supposed to post videos of according to the notice up there because of all the months of work that went into it...
... built slap in the centre of one of the busiest areas, quite noticeable with the hoards of people who already know about it heading there every weekend 😉
It looks great and commend the effort, but I'm just waiting for the huff when it all gets flattened. I hope it doesn't, but really can't expect that to last where it is. Just enjoy it while you can and if lucky it will get overlooked, so long as no one has a really bad off.
Matt, not me, I used to go on these to practice the little stuff and watch the good riders ! Haven't been out on one for a while, I follow the videos though.