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[Closed] Old Swinley

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Found it on youtube.

Once you cross the boundary at the top of stony climb, you can go left or right. Left is more pumpy, i actually prefer right.

a couple of people are listing videos of another section as rollercoaster; also on the Old dean common bit, but instead going from near-ish the clubhouse - linked vid shows the rider going through the fence by the top of the climb. But that's not waht i'd call that trail......


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 12:06 pm
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Yup, same one as i thought. Didn't know that was it's name though ๐Ÿ™‚

bottom vid, i don't recognise.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 12:21 pm
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I am thinking of riding there tomorrow - parking at the Lookout and starting off on the red.

However - I really fancy throwing in Crowthorne too as was ill and couldn't make the Gorrick last week.

Can anyone advise as to where best leave the official red so that I can join the Crowthorne trails? and how to get back on it thereafter?


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 12:47 pm
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Yeah, As you are on the red, you'll come out of a short tree section. It's tight/twisty/flowy, you turn left and go down an off camber hill with a telegraph pole in the middle. At the gate on your right just after the pole, go over gate, follow up the hill to the right and then take a left where the XC Gorrick course goes.

I don't know which number trail though sorry.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 12:51 pm
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Yep - from the green gate you'll actually be looking down the start straight (devil's highway) although you're looking back along it, the race came towards you and then hooked 90 degrees left on the loose stony climb at the gate.

So if you follow that there's probably enough tyre tracks to lead you in. make like Tonto and read the tread if not sure of direction!!


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:13 pm
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Me and a buddy are doing it today actually ๐Ÿ™‚

I think we'll do blue red until we get to it and then shoot off, do the Gorrick course and come back in at the same gate after completing the lap. Then likely just head back to Lookout taking in whatever else we find really.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:15 pm
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Yep - from the green gate you'll actually be looking down the start straight (devil's highway) although you're looking back along it, the race came towards you and then hooked 90 degrees left on the loose stony climb at the gate.

So if you follow that there's probably enough tyre tracks to lead you in. make like Tonto and read the tread if not sure of direction!!

Thanks for that.... do you know where on this map I would find it please? Somewhere around Red 9?

[url= http://hampshiremountainbikeninja.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/future-ride-swinley-forest-saturday.html ]http://hampshiremountainbikeninja.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/future-ride-swinley-forest-saturday.html
[/url]


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:38 pm
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7 at a decent guess. You can see Corkscrew on the map there on the left.... which is over in the general direction.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:42 pm
 adsh
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think we'll do blue red until we get to it and then shoot off, do the Gorrick course and come back in at the same gate after completing the lap. Then likely just head back to Lookout taking in whatever else we find really.

Any chance of a photo/location thingy for where you leave new Swinley?


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:53 pm
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Any chance of a photo/location thingy for where you leave new Swinley?

Sure matey, i'll take one at the trail before as that's numbered. I'm not sure the next section of red at the t'graph pole has a number, but if it does, i will.

Will post them up about 8pm


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 1:58 pm
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Following this thread with interest. I'm off to Swinley on 27th Nov. Been up once before in the evening and just rode the Blue and Red twice. It would be good to find some other trails this time as we have a lot more time.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 2:03 pm
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7 at a decent guess

Yes. Green gate is at the major track crossroads just south of where the red 7 circle is on the map (west of where the *7 is)

Just noticed that also has 'Rollercoaster' on it - by red 12/13 although their arrow goes in the direction I'd go, not down the pump track in the video above.

In fact - see the triangle on that map created by the boundary of 3 tracks where Rollercoaster is actually written, with the reservoir in the apex. The smaller grey track along the base of it is the second video I linked (runs east -> west) But i wouldn't bother with it today / tomorrow / for the next 6 months unless you like wet feet as it floods in the bottoms of the whoopy-doos.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 2:31 pm
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Those of you who are heading out to Swinners...
Can I ask a favour?
It's really soft out there currently & there are far too many "desire" & Strava lines appearing (with the vegetation dying back) on some of the runs.....the Summer lines are still there - please try to keep them..
So could you please, please not use these "cheat" lines & if you see one appearing block it off with a couple of well placed sticks. Obviously any trail pixie work should be safe & considerate, but if we don't try to keep the lines running nicely we will end up with 2m wide straight slop rather than some nice sinuous and twisty singletrack..
POSTED 20 HOURS AGO # SHARE

Thanking you in advance.

๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 3:37 pm
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Alternative way to Crowthorne is to do a right/left over the fire road at the end of red 5 (not the one you cross in the middle) go straight on through the gap in the trees, then head in on the right past pips bench and go explore. Heading north ish will lead you to the corkscrew, South ish to Petes plummet and the gorrick start line area.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 5:06 pm
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[URL= http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/bike/IMG_20161116_151841_zps1zzkgir0.jp g" target="_blank">http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/bike/IMG_20161116_151841_zps1zzkgir0.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:11 pm
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[URL= http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/bike/IMG_20161116_151852_zpsdhsdkvty.jp g" target="_blank">http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg167/weeksy59/bike/IMG_20161116_151852_zpsdhsdkvty.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Normal route on top, gate on the right, go right at the gate, when you see the bench look for trails behind it


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:12 pm
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Now Im confused as that looks like start of seagull!!


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:14 pm
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Ah, easy to miss that gate, flying up to get over the roots on the Red. I think there is a gap in the hedge at the end of the section before? I went through there and saw the bench in front of me and though it didn't look promising so turned back ๐Ÿ™„


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:17 pm
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is that by pips seat?


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:22 pm
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teamhurtmore - Member

Now Im confused as that looks like start of seagull!!

Yes, that's correct. Start of Seagull, which isn't really Seagull any more as it goes into Witches Lair and Twin Tribes too... but still ends in the same place by the concrete blocks where old Seagull used to end.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:22 pm
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Yes and Yes to both.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:23 pm
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It is seagull. There is a gap about 50 yards short of the gate as well but the gates a more obvious directing landmark if people don't know where they are.

Why is seagull taped off?


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:24 pm
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They're working on it apparently. So is the bottom of red15.

My mate thinks he knows you, Simon, mid 50's, rode a white Zesty with Bobs 4-5 years back. Bit on the tubby side and would have been puffing and panting ๐Ÿ™‚

(Sorry mate, couldn't resist)


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:43 pm
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There re doing the trails yet again, 2nd part of seagull there putting in at least 1 table top. 1st part from green gate is tapped off, don't know what there doing there. Blue 14 has got some work going on aswell. Seems the whole thing is never open for long...


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 7:50 pm
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possibly - seen a few zestys over the years. Haven't ridden with them for a couple of years now though. I used to be one of the regulars on the Sat morning brownie point ride.


 
Posted : 16/11/2016 10:16 pm
 adsh
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Many thanks to Weeksy - now I know exactly where I am.

There tomorrow - brrrrr!

What time does the car park open?


 
Posted : 18/11/2016 6:14 pm
 adsh
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Website says 7am


 
Posted : 18/11/2016 6:17 pm
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There re doing the trails yet again, 2nd part of seagull there putting in at least 1 table top. 1st part from green gate is tapped off, don't know what there doing there. Blue 14 has got some work going on aswell. Seems the whole thing is never open for long...

It's to be expected with a place that gets so many riders..

Personally, I think they are doing an excellent job!


 
Posted : 18/11/2016 6:40 pm
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weeksy - Memberย 
I still get confused as to whether the long flat twisty blue is Stickler or something else beginnning with S

S for Shit.

If it's the tedious long flat twisty one with berms on the flat, *the* rock garden of Swinley and the wood ramp over fallen tree.

But yes, Stickler ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 18/11/2016 6:49 pm
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Instead of Stickler I now do the other Stickler which eventually ends in Dragon Valley and then pottle off towards to England drop off trails. And then back to those new looking trails which still need some work, across from Red 29 I think.


 
Posted : 18/11/2016 6:56 pm
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S for Shit.

If it's the tedious long flat twisty one with berms on the flat, *the* rock garden of Swinley and the wood ramp over fallen tree.

But yes, Stickler

Bit harsh, every time I see that comment. At the time (long before the TTS / influx of money) that stand of trees was set aside for a trail to go through. It wasn't the choice of the builders, it was what was allowed by the CE. The trail was built by volunteer labour, to make the best (and yes, most) of what is actually a small area of trees with minimal elevation difference in it. There are better trails in Swinley, and on other trail centres for sure, but to just dismiss the efforts of a lot of people as shit without knowing the background is a wee bit unfair.


 
Posted : 20/11/2016 6:52 pm
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theotherjonv - Memberย 
There are better trails in Swinley, and on other trail centres for sure, but to just dismiss the efforts of a lot of people as shit without knowing the background is a wee bit unfair.

I'm always mocking when I say it ๐Ÿ˜€ I do know the background and witnessed the volunteer effort on the extension to Stickler, pre "new trails". Not knocking them at all.

Not their fault, it's just... it's still shit ๐Ÿ˜›

Did it for first time in maybe year or two recently as someone wanted to do it despite protests from almost the entire group. I was just swearing all the way round. Makes me miserable that trail. That said, it fits in perfectly for a twisty course in small area suited to a race event for those who like going round and round that kind of thing ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 20/11/2016 8:51 pm
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Its one of my favourite trails!


 
Posted : 20/11/2016 8:53 pm
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I think it shocked the CE - when they said a trail could go through there I don't think they expected it to be a mile!


 
Posted : 20/11/2016 9:05 pm
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Weather's nice - feel the urge to have a crack at the drop!!

Will I have the bottle? Doubt it!!


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 11:40 am
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Excuses first

1. On my own
2. R5L has program from Stoke Mandeville on way over
3. Small mechanical at start with broken valve
4. Mental noise rising by this point
5. Err, that's it

Bottled it yet again. Didn't even look bad just....I don't know what. Time for the bimble thread!!

Plus side - love the bermy run near deerstalker and haven't ridded blue for a couple of years so had forgotten how much fun the berms there can be.

Other downside was mashing right bollock on tank tramps. Ouch


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 4:25 pm
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Rode the corkscrew last week for the first time. Must admit, had a first look at that drop off in case there was a nasty surprise on the landing - its a bit like the drop offs at the end of Stickler DH. Lots of nice chain ring scuffs on the log ๐Ÿ˜€


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 4:48 pm
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Can anyone point me in the right direction for the "Stickler DH drop offs"? Cheers!


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 5:09 pm
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Yes, there are lots of chain ring scuffs. I studied them at length! ๐Ÿ˜ณ All a bit pathetic.

Yes, stickler drop off????

(other bonus, found roller coaster which is a better way round to R15 IMO)

Red 2 was bogey so appropriate for Old Swinley thread!!


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 5:14 pm
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rbs - Memberย 
Can anyone point me in the right direction for the "Stickler DH drop offs"? Cheers!

It's the drop off the rock isn't it? ๐Ÿ˜‰

[url=


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 9:09 pm
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Nah, that's the swinley rock garden!


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 9:26 pm
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