Taki - sounds good. I only rode FTD and there was some work going on during my trip. Bit of a pain, but like you say, as long as the wheels are turning what else matters?
Yep, you're right dawson, tis time to stop slagging it off and take it for what it is...10+ miles of uninterupted singletrack in superb woodland [b]and[/b] just a short drive away! My best bits...
First couple of sections up to culloden,
Old bit after beech wood (when not muddy!),
The one ending with the big berm,
Old section on north west side of forest (downy uppy downy uppy bit?),
Twisty pixie trail sections, for a bit of variety, (when dry),
Next couple of sections after that are my favourites, fast and flowy.
Done... cuppa and hot sausage roll, buy something from bike shop you dont need! 🙂
I might have a bit of this if I can get a pass from SWMBO
excellent Matt- it'll be good to see you!
Can anyone turn up and ride? I have not been to the pines for years. Were and what time?
cheers
Longstuff
@twang - Nice summary of the best bits, your descriptions are spot on. I know exactly the sections you are talking about 🙂
Hope it dries out a bit before the weekend. A buddy of mine rode their today and said it was very muddy in the muddy bits. Either way I'm looking forward to it. (The riding and the obligatory fat-knacker breakfast bap in the cafe afterwards)
10.30am at the cafe longstuff. Think that's the plan. Look for the big group whinging!
😉
Still the 14th? i will be on a cream Chameleon if i can get it BB sorted
Cheers!
Pook, your gonna have to do a register are'nt you ? 
14th - ie: Saturday
I might bring a megaphone.
is that different to an iPhone?...
...gets coat.
Weather looks dry but breezy on Saturday chaps
So how many are riding this Saturday so far?
Me and two buddies will be along. I will be on a gold Giant Reign X and answer to "Daim", "Damian" or "Oi!"
Sounds like it's going to get busy 🙂
I think that Sherwood Pines may introduce a 'congestion charge' after this weekend.
I feel sorry for any poor sod thats on a bike but not involved in this meet - they'll be wondering whats going on!
///
just thought of a collective term for a group of mountain bikers - 'a whinge'
//gets coat...
Right - so far we have....
Me,
My mate Ed
Will
sooty and jim
Snotrag
Orena45
FunkyNick
Riofer
Gravy + mates
Fallguy
Twang
Dawson
Anthony
Matt_outandabout
Daim + 2
Adey205
TheBoatman
Momo
Longstuff
Which i tot up to about 22.
😯
🙁 😮 😀
[url=
rad pines action taster[/url]
Lol - I may be matt_outandaabout +1.....!
I think I've got a pass out so I'll be there but it has rained and it may rain again on Thursday. It will give you a chance to explain how everything is perfect Gravy.
Its not that I dislike the pines, it was superb last summer.
It rained all summer, except the 2 weeks I was in the Alps, 😕
Abductee, I am of the same opinion of most of the bikers and of course your self. So much more could have been done when Clixbys were there. I will explain.
I might be there, with my mate on his new Trek
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/video/15048/ ]Vid i did a while ago, think it will be a little wetter when we go 🙄 [/url]
It's going to be such fun!
May well be able to get a pass out too, either my (orange) Love/ Hate or grey Motolite (if I sort the gears!!).
Wow, If everyone turns up that will be 27 currently. That's more than the new years eve Swinley Forest ride I was on!
It'll be like a midlands bogtrotters ride, but who's going to be sfb?
A couple of days late for this thread, but count me in.
I will be there too!!! Just look for the very green bike!!
I'll be on a green bike also 😆
I'll be the lanky one 🙄
Got my pass sorted, now just need to get my car running again.
I hope nobody minds if i call them by the wrong name, I am officialy useless at remebering peoples names
I'll bring the Camera then ! 💡 smile
We should have name badges 😆
My bb bearings are ****ed but i have stripped and greased them. Freehub bearings are ****ed but that can wait. Anyone bringing a tow rope?!.
Frame is clean though 😕
Yes longstuff, freehub bearings you will not need...as it is all up hill!
I'll be wearing a red rose!
Spud - MemberI'll be wearing a red rose!
I won't be, but I'm sure that I'll be sporting a red face as I'm rather unfit at the moment!
I've fixed my car now, so there's nothing standing between me and getting out on the bike now though.
Do we need to pre-order cake at the cafe?
Oh it's gonna be mad ! There is more than one cafe Matt, the one on site and another just off after some great singletrack 😛
UP HILL? ....i don't do "up hill"
You could ride all of the pines on a 44 16t combination, you'd be fine 😆
how do all. Been away for the day and I've come back to this.
Have i got to make a speech?
Tally:
Me,
My mate Sam
Will
sooty and jim
Snotrag
Orena45
FunkyNick
Riofer
Gravy + mates
Fallguy
Twang
Dawson
Anthony
Matt_outandabout
Daim + 2
Adey205
TheBoatman
Momo
Longstuff
Spud
Haddock (ie: my mate ed)
BenjaminJDC
Ventana
Midlife crashes and his mate
I could be there too!
Speech? better not 😉
I think we need about 10 groups!
Who's bringing the register?
Been years since I went to the 'pines, where is this cafe then?
can't miss it once you're in there, it's one of the buildings in the main area. I'll be in a red top.
This is me in my exact garb for Saturday
[img] 
[/img]
not long got back from night ride, trails seem to be ok in general. dry in all the right places, just ask gravy! some of the sweeter trails should be good if this weather holds up. now getting excited. never had so many new platmates to lose in the woods 😈 👿
Pook ,I expect a hand made sign AND a speech
ok so I've got the names. I now need
Badges
a megaphone
a hand made sign
a speech.
and to think I only wanted a ride in the woods....
😕
Pook - Member
and to think I only wanted a ride in the woods....
Plenty of Dogging at night i'm sure 😉
Will, I've not even met you yet.
😆
We will be expecting a goody bag at the end of the ride too as a nice memento of the day 😀
Theboatman
have a look at orena45's post on page 1 And the subsequent post by thefallguy its just off the coast of Mogadishu if you don't paste the whole link into your address bar.
its looking like a good turnout for saturday, should be a good day, I was in the pines tonight and it was mostly dry with only the most die hard muddy sections refusing to dry out totally.
the weather forecast that I saw last night for Saturday doesn't look very promising... 😥
Its only rain, what harm can it do 🙂
Trees = cover.
😀
Light rain forecast. Might have to bring the hardtail so I don't get my new bike muddy 😉
Ha my thoughts exactly - sad isn't it. 😆
Ed - do your faffing on Friday. Or should that be [i]start[/i] your faffing on Friday?
Yeah! - disadvantage of the trusty hardtail, no ; dual air, pro pedal, shock pressure, re-bound, compression, u turn, and temp effected air pressure changes, to spend hours and hours adjusting in the car park. 😉
muppet.
blank route map for you to think up a route[img] 
[/img]
my proposal...[img] 
[/img]
p.s. bikes will wash you know!
for identification purposes only
me on Saturday[img] 
[/img]
I'm happy to be led!
I don't want to lead! it's your party!!
I'll be quite happy at the back as my current level of fitness won't allow for any other position I'm afraid.
I haven't ridden all of the kitchener yet so that might be a good starting point!
I agree Pook, the route i'd in mind uses the new trail but deviates here and there
Another happy follower here. Looking at the route above, I think it takes in a few of my favourite bits of the pines, plus a few new bits that I've not ridden before, so looks like a good one to me.
Probably best if we keep it quite informal though rather than having a route set in stone.
sounds like a plan! we usually set off with a route and adjust as we go along, I imagine some rides will know some other good bits they will want to take in.
Right - the CONCRETE PLAN (which some seem to want and I seem to be in charge of!) is this
10.30 am Meet at the cafe (or just out the front of it nr the decking as there's so many of us.
Then....
aim to do the kitchener, but suck it and see how it goes on the day, and then go on other trails if you so fancy.
Then eat cake.
🙂
The plan sounds good to me Pook!
There were 20+ at the Swinley NYE ride and it was a fairly informal affair with the route chosen more by consensus than anything else. As long as most folks are willing to 'go-with-the-flow' then it works well. The main thing is to stop at the main sections where there is a choice of trail. (...he says selfishly as he will need time to catch up.) 😉
I am happy to ride wherever as long as it includes that lovely first section of the Kitchener.
I assume the 10.30 meeting time is the "ready to go time"and not get a cuppa and faff time!
agreed mr ventana
yes ventana. I will sound a klaxon.
Got room for one more.
I only live about 4 miles from Sherwood Pines, but have only ever been twice and struggled to find any decent trails, so it would be good to follow someone who knows their way around. (and since I am not what you would call a racing snake, it will probably be following at some distance)
Andy (riding a black Trek(yeah, I know, sorry))
Evening all
I'm also local and if I can get a pass out wouldn't mind a to join in either if there is a spare place going?!
Everyone is welcome, just tag along. I'd agree about the 10.30 being ride off time rather than aim to meet time.
Jon, you look like Mr Toad in your pic. Toot toot. 🙂 Are you parking at the Pines?
Looks like a good route plan as it takes in nearly all of the new trail + quite a lot more of the locals trails. Looking forward to it.
First one back buys the cakes
with regards to the route, if your interested, i'm quite sure me and gravy could sort some thing out as i believe we have about 20 years experience riding the area between us 😆