[Closed] Righto - Pentlands ride Sunday 8th November

Bump this up for the morning crowd.

I'll be in for this Kit, hoping we cover this 'nail trail' I haven't ridden yet

Haha, I can tell you now that the nail trail will consist of a lot of puddles, and the top section is a bit swampy at the best of times.

Always felt it should be a summer only trail of the likes of Black Hill etc...

Kit, I'm definitely up for riding, will have to see how the weekend pans out though (already got a big ride planned for Saturday)

I wondered what the Nail Trail would be like at the moment, having ridden it in the dry - there'll be some boggy bits for sure! We'll see how the weather progresses over the week.

I would avoid it at the moment as it's going the way of Pistachio woods, i.e. a churned up mess. If you feel you must ride it, avoid the top section by continuing West parallel to the road and taking a right when you can go no further. This adds on another mile or so, but avoids the boggy top part.

This trail is best in summer and darkest winter, and nowhere inbetween.

I tend to agree with AlasdairMc. Its either that or drainage needs sorting / repairs need to be done.

I've only ridden it once, so didn't know what it was like. Best avoided by the sounds of it (like much of the Pentlands at the moment 🙁 )

I'd wondered about doing repairs, but given the militancy of the local anti-bike brigade, i didn't think it would be wise to broadcast our presence!

true, it ain't called the Nail Trail for nothing!

Drainage would be an idea, there are some parts that sit pretty low and would benefit from a run-off of some sort. Perhaps it would be an idea for a non-riding working party to head up there sometime with no mention of the fact we're bikers and see what can be done.

Alasdair, I'm in for that, but can't provide any tools. Are you local, can you get hold of a spade or two?

I cant make Sunday unfortunatly.

I was up last week and some of the bits I know were getting pretty muddy.

I began to wonder if there were more "suitable" winter tracks that are still interesting?

Anyone got any pointers (apart from my usual loop of Harlaw, Maidens, Green Cleugh, Red Road, Beech Ave)?

Edit: apologies for the hijack!

I might be up for the ride, will see how my week (and the weather) pans out. Anyone got a route/distance in mind yet?

Nail Trail - haven't ridden it, don't know exactly where it is, but I'll muck in with any underground improvements (am a construction manager so could get hold of a few implements / pipes / theodolites etc.)

Paul - I guess the route will stick to resilient paths, us being the responsible types (esp. with mud-chopper tyres on..!) or those already shredded beyond repair - Dreghorn army road, anyone..? 😉

Think I have a family thing on sunday though maybe I could do both.

As for a bit of ninja gardening, definately count me in, I've even got me own little spade. If anyone can figure out any way to keep pistachio a bit more intact this year- other than hiding in a bush and jumping out and whacking any knobber riding through it when it's hib deep in mud- that'd be another one worth looking at, I've done wee bits there myself but it's going to go to hell again over the next few months anyway

(there's a rideable diversion round each of the 2 really muddy patches in pistachio btw, first one's obvious- hop the tree root on the left- but the second one just beside the big fallen tree needs a bit of imagination...I did some ground clearing in there early in the year, might reopen it some quiet weekend, but it'd need some effort to make it actually good to ride)

I have to say I don't mind pistachio getting churned up - there is an alternative path if you don't want the mud and its nice to be allowed some mud to play in given that I tend to avoid other bits when wet.

In complete contrast to this - we were planning a Road-Lite ride on Sunday. Kinda out to North Berwick for chips and cake and tea and then back to town.

We would be aiming for a relaxed to comatose pace and all would be welcome if they fancied it.

2 rules:
1. No Heros
2. If you want to speed off and do some sprints or something you must stop and wait at the next junction for the last person.

I will make you all a cup of tea before we go if we go ahead with this (weather permitting!)

Mark
(if its a rubbish day for road then we might come up to the Pents)

Mark - perhaps a new thread would be in order.

on you go.

Bah, I'd actually be up for that Mark, however I have my adoring fans to think of and couldn't let them down.

Time for a thread resurrection
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Proposed Sunday route, in an anticlockwise loop starting from Harlaw (or Bonaly, depending who's coming). Click the link for a proper sized version.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerfox/4078477839/sizes/o/

Open to suggestions, but I think this will be a decent loop in what will undoubtably be very wet and muddy conditions.

Kit

Looks good to me... Still not 100% sure I can make it, but assuming I do either Harlaw or Bonaly works as a start point, it's not like they're far apart after all. I like this route more, no riding up puke hill

Looks like a good loop Kit, although I might slope off when we get to Torduff...

10am at the Harlaw Car park?

I'll be up there sometime tomorrow morning to give a new build it's first try out so wave if you see someone on a Van Nicholas as it'll probably be me.

10am, Harlaw Visitor Centre, Sunday 8th.

Will you be coming up through Bonaly Ian? Rob (assuming he's coming) and I can meet you there about 9:30ish.

Yep, I'll meet you there.

(assuming the Uni club don't rip my legs off on Saturday that is)

Ian, YGM (hopefully)

Looks good. When you say visitor centre, is that the Ranger centre on the map? I'll more than likely be going up the WOL from Stockbridge area to Balerno the on the road to Harlaw.

Hi Paul, yes the Ranger Centre.

I'll be heading up the WOL to Colinton then up to Bonaly. Drop me an email if you want some company.

Kit YGM.

Will catch you around Bonaly whenever yer passing guys - is Ian suggesting a detour down white hill?? Might take the pitch then, can't look totally inept without a decent bike, can I? 8)
Will 'mail you my mobile no. Kit, I presume you'll be heading for Torduff / Clubbiedean...?

take the pitch then, can't look totally inept without a decent bike, can I?

Steady there Rob! I'm expecting to see some super extreme gnarlyness now!
😀

Um, i wasn't, although I have no objections...

Depending on how people feel, and the weather, I thought going across the top of Capelaw then descending might be a bit more fun? Short sharp climb for a longish fast descent. Admittedly in the wind and rain thats a stinking idea.

Oi! MY ride. MY route. 😉

Indeed, we shall see how we are doing on the day. Weather's supposed to be decent, or so I've been told.

I'd actually considered Capelaw, Ian, but its been years since I've done that singletrack across to Green Cleugh. However, if the weather's braw, then Capelaw it may be 🙂

I'm going to regret putting that smiley in...
Worry not Paul, this aint a case of the podgy kid saying 'don't really play the guitar much', then laying down some [url=

dropping solo riffs[/url]...
This is proper 'some-gear-no-idea' ineptitude!

Can I propose Ian is restricted to a slick road tyre out the back, to give us half a chance...

Sorry Kit, don't mean to hijack! Although... are you confusing Green Cleugh with Phantom's Cleugh?

Rob, you do me too much credit, but as it is I'll be on the singlespeed, seriously restricted climbing (and I won't miss Puke Hill, thats for sure!)

Ian doesn't need that slick to get the back end out! photo evidence too... 😀

are you confusing Green Cleugh with Phantom's Cleugh?

Errr.... maybe? 😳

I forgot to say that I'll be along too. I'll see you at Harlaw at 10.

Al

So far, due to warm beds & central heating, it would appear we have;
Kit
13thfloormonk
Paul Gillespie
AlasdairMc
RobGarrioch

Possibly;
Northwind
Friend of Robs + friends brother, both on rigid s'speed 29rs (Just added by me! Sibling competitive streak will see them keeping the pace hot!)

Any more for any more?

I might just bring my SS as well if that's how it's going to be. I'll play my "too steep to singlespeed" card on Beech Avenue and Castlelaw.

Just a chance I'll be along if I wake early enough

I don't own a single-speed, but promise to only use 1 gear at a time 🙂

True to form my 2 niche-riders have pulled out (already!) so it's just Mr. Monk to take on in the s'speed league!

TJ - do you have anyones number in case?

TJ - I'm planning to meet PaulGillespie at 9am at St. Bernard's Well on the WOL, if you're riding up. Drop me an email if you want my number to yay or nay tomorrow morning.

Kit

Ta but I don't have a mobile phone so not much point in having someones number. I'll be on time if I am going to get there. Harlaw 10 am - ranger station (or car park?)

come to think of it I don't have a watch either. Oh well.

Are you not supposed to be rocking up to Rodney St at 10am?

Thats for a road ride - a very poor second - ( but an hour closer to home to the start point)

Room for one more late comer? It would be good to meet a few more faces.

I'll be coming up canal -> WOL so i'll send Kit an email and try and work out where to meet.

TJ - Rangers Station.

V8 - sure, always room for more!

I may also turn up. But dont wait on me.

But dont wait on me.

We'll keep an eye out for the cloud of dust etc etc 😉 Might see you tomorrow then George.

Kit, see you at the well 9am.

Didn't cross paths with the STW group in the end but it was a lovely morning to be out in the Pentlands:
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Was past morning when we got that far Steve, but a fine, muddy ride was enjoyed by 7 of us + 1 guest assimilated into the collective en route. Shame drainage wasn't high on the Harlaw road re-surfacing work...

A few of the pics I got (D'OH! left the date stamp on after using it at work...)

Ians reaction to learning of geared bikes, with front suspension, was a little worrying

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A new challenge has arisen:

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Capt. 'Lowside' Kit in a rare rubber-side-down moment 🙂

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Obligatory 'Gladiator' homage shot;

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Many more [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/robgarrioch/sets/72157622761457080/show/with/4086010841/ ]here[/url]. If anyone wants full size copies, give me a shout - will crop out the date too!
Good ride + fine weather, the ultimate combination!

thanks for a great day out guys, these are the shots from my phone.

cheers
Mark
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our ride did not disappoint either.

'Luca's Toffe Fudgey Wudgey please good ice cream serving lady!' was the call.

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(Thanks to Glen for the pic)

Ace photos guys!

Capt. 'Lowside' Kit in a rare rubber-side-down moment

Cheeky bastard! I only fell off twice... 🙄

Rob, you have some brilliant shots there. Can i get larger size copies? I guess they are beyond email, do you have somewhere i can download them from?
I love the 'gladiator' shot, that section of the pentlands is really distinctive.

Capt. 'Lowside' Kit

Digging my own grave there - shan't expect sympathy for my next tumble 😈

Thanks Mark - I'm not entirely sure, but you should be able to download from my Flickr [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/robgarrioch/sets/72157622761457080/with/4086010841/ ]Photostream[/url] - click the photo, then 'all sizes' above it, & it should come up with an option to download / save (above the pic, again).
If not, it's no bother at all to e-mail, can crop the date-stamp out too if you've not got the software.

Looks like a good ride. I had hoped to join you all today but circumstances colluded against me. Weather was lovely too, was only a teensy bit jealous.

Another pic for interest, GPS profile, not including W.o.L. extra miles. Not got to grips with it yet so apologies for no info., but the figures are:
- 29.95km
- 13.58km ascent; 13.27km descent (?), 3.18km level

(I know, it doesn't all add up - bl00dy technology!)

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I thought I posted something up earlier, was I imagining it or did it get deleted by the mods? 😕

If anyone's interested I'm considering organising a Christmas/Hogmanay Pentlands ride followed by a post-ride drink/night out. Will guage interest nearer the time, although the idea might die on its arse of course...

Ride to Flotterstone, get pished, and ride back? That could be fun.

Puke Hill, anyone?

That was good, cheers for putting it together!

Oh, and apologies for this but it's the law, I have to post these things...

I don't think I got either of Kit's, therefore they didn't happen 😉

Just stuck up another wee video, of the descent down from the side of Scald Law to Green Cleugh. Not very interesting this one as there's nobody in shot, just me, mincing... But if anyone wants to see it, here it is

Oh boy. thanks for that andrew... some would say it is the perfect advert for not wearing SPDs.
I think that is the first time I have been filmed on my bike, it should give everyone a laugh! It can only get better. 🙂
Mark

Christmas/Hogmanay Pentlands ride followed by a post-ride drink/night out

💡 Sounds like another winner Kit, hopefully I'll be around for that (always travelling well south -> well north over the hols, but planning to have a bit more r+r in embra this time)

p.s. Kudos to Mr. D for days best Schwarzenegger impression!?
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^^^ WTF?! Now that's turned a frown upside down!

Great ride! Nice fall Mark! Was totally knackered yesterday by the time I got home to my beer and steak pie! fell asleep on the couch in the middle of Die Hard 4.0!

Kit, I would be up for a Xmas/Hogmanay ride/night out. It's a busy time for me during that period but If I can make it I will.

Oh I chuckled at Mark falling off 😆 Bit of a comedy fall!

And Northwind, didn't realise that was you with Alasdair. Was I calling you Mark yesterday too? Oops, sorry!

Anyone'd think that was set-up, the way you shrugged that off Mark. A good flavour of the group camaraderie, the way we leapt to your aid... 😀

Good vids NW - Scald Law (Lovers Loup?) seemed rather steeper than it looks there, or was it just me?

Kit, if you did, I didn't notice- don't worry about it, I have no idea who anyone was

rob- yeah, it's a side effect of the helmet mount, it's so high that you lose any impression of speed, and since your head stays pretty steady you also lose any feeling of pitch/steepness, and it's like you're just floating serenely over a smooth flat path. Camera on the frame works far better but you're stuck with just the head-on view so it's not very good for group rides- it's nice to be able to pan around as you ride. I like handlebar mounts, it makes everything look crazily fast and chaotic, even when it's not 😉 I'll do it again next time I'm out with a frame mount maybe.