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We have a few weeks to go so fingers crossed that Spring arrives early!
My usual routine is to ride the planned route a few days before to see how the land lies. Then a bit of tweaking here and there if needs be. Might just have to use a bit more fireroad, sorry!
It can't possibly be like the Swinley Monsoon in November 🙄
Karin - nice idea - i can pedal home from there or be camp 😛
[b]Genuine plea[/b] - could really do with a few folk who are happy to help with guiding/sweeping, on the offchance that 50 STW'ers turn up 😉
E-mail in profile and I won't broadcast your name on here either so hopefully that will offer some reassurance. Discretion is where it's at.
Thanks in anticipation. 🙂
Just a wee bumpity bump - it's not long now 8)
[b]##### Immature-content warning ######[/b]
Went for leetle scouting today in the woods in question to see if I could figure out some sort of route, just in case some unlucky punters should have the misfortune to be following me around next week. 😀
Conditions were fair to good - man-made, armoured trails were superb and fast and most stuff is rideable, though some areas are properly sh@tty.
As for actual route-planning, my ailingly ancient GPS was stuck in "will I stay on/won't I stay on" mode the whole time so fug-knows-where I rode today - it was a bit random, but I had fun so hopefully you will too!
I had to head home a bit early though as I medical condition that results in me sufferring from a child-like [i]inability[/i] to NOT ride through massive puddles leading to soaking cold feet. Honest, I've got a doctor's note and everything... And as the lake-like puddles were frozen over I defintitely [i]did not[/i] pretend to be a nuclear-powered icebreaker navigating the North West Passage. (Read any euphemisms in there that you feel necessary...)
Thanks for the feedback bananaworld and trust you are now at home warm and dry!
I'll drop you an e-mail in a minute anyway.
Update due to be posted over weekend!
Would still appreciate an idea of how many are coming though, e-mail in profile if you prefer.
Reckon this will be such fun 8)
I'm still planning on turning up C_G
Offer still stands of doing a little sweeping at the rear 😉
Just a little reminder that you need to check back tomorrow for final details 🙂
Tomorrow, Bananaworld and I are meeting at Swinley to put a route together. He can indulge his love of splashing in puddles as long as he doesn't mind me pointing and laughing at his niche bike 🙄
MaverickBoy - you're very kind, thank you 🙂
Am really looking forward to this, hopefully, inaugural event. Don't forget that the only rule is to have fun fun fun 8)
Is this a guaranteed gang-bang?
I might come.
Is this a guaranteed gang-bang?
😯
OK, here we go:
[b]Meet[/b] at 10.00 am, ready to pedal 10.30 am. I have a banner that I will endeavour to hang either between trees or on a car/van. Nearest station is Martin's Heron and it's just a few miles pedal away. Link:
There are NO parking charges BUT the car park gets very busy so allow plenty of time.
[b]Permit[/b] - you need to purchase a day permit, price £2, to ride here. This can either be purchased from the Visitor Centre or online. Save time and purchase online beforehand! Link:
http://www.gorrick.com/swinley/permits.php
The Visitor Centre and award-winning toilets open at 10.00 am. The Cafe also opens at 10.00 am where hot and cold food, together with drinks, can be purchased.
Terrain - mixture of fire road and single track on a sandy soil, some exposed roots. Swinley can eat brake pads so you have been warned! Single speed friendly, niche bike friendly too.
Will report nearer the time on trail conditions but full-on mud tyres are not really necessary.
Depending on numbers, we may need to split into groups, each with a leader and sweeper. Nobody will be forced to ride anything they don't want to and I'm always happy to talk through each section so as you know what to expect. Please ask me!
Aiming to be back at the Cafe for around 1.00 pm for lunch, then more riding in the afternoon for those that want it. If you just want to join the morning session, that's fine.
Phew! Have I forgotton anything? If I have, please shout either on here or e-mail in profile.
Really looking forward to meeting everyone 😀
[b]The only rule is to enjoy yourself[/b] 8)
Oops, should have said that I will bring sticky labels for name badges but this is purely voluntarily [s]I'm an old girl with a shocking memory[/s]
Now where did that silly name badge thing come from?
I maybe coming by train as there appears to be a severe shortage of single people in my area.
you don't have to be single Sharki, look
[i]The only rule is to enjoy yourself [/i]
Cool! i'll see if the wife and GF wants to come, they need to meet sometime soon.
'Twas a bit bit squidgy undertyre in places in Swinley today, but still great fun, especially under the guidership of the inestimable C_G.
A word of warning. Well two actually.
Firstly, I'm still not sure of an exact route and the precise locations of all the best bits, but I've been round on my own a few times and while I may have failed to find all the famous trails, I didn't fail to enjoy myself, which is what this is all about!
Secondly, should we have too many people for just one group I have been 'nominated' to lead the "fast" group, which makes me a wee bit 'clenchingly' fearful. Whilst not adverse to a bit of speed in the right places and at the right times (heh heh heh) I want to 'assure' all likely punters that even the "fast" group won't be screaming along at race-pace. There will be regular sandwich and toilet stops (perhaps not at the same time though...) and much slacking and banter.
Fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun!
p.s. please don't be put off from coming by anything you may have heard about unconciousness and air ambulances at Swinley today... 😮
should we have too many people for just one group I have been 'nominated' to lead the "fast" group
LOL
I know someone who's going to be spending most of the week coming doing his best to put as many people as possible off coming to Swinley next weekened then! 😉
Well, I'll just be trying to put off the [i]fast[/i] people really! Don't want them smokin' me on the climbs and making me look bad in front of the many hot biking laydeez who'll be there.
For that reason, you're still invited, MarkyBoy... 😆
one request....should a 'slackers' group develop can i ask that a proportion of it doesn't turn into a 'fast slackers' group?! last time it was a nightmare because people kept bombing off - i was left to sweep people in the wrong direction 😯 😉
Just use the opportunity to go where you want, say you were chasing someone who looked like a straggler then go home when you've had enough.
one request....should a 'slackers' group develop can i ask that a proportion of it doesn't turn into a 'fast slackers' group?! last time it was a nightmare because people kept bombing off - i was left to sweep people in the wrong direction
Seconded...
Don't worry about the pace being "too slow" C_G, worry about it being too fast! When someone had a mechanical last time and Aleigh, Jedi and Oldfart stuck with him, I had to REALLY put the hammer down to get back and then to catch up with you guys again...
[i]Just use the opportunity to go where you want, say you were chasing someone who looked like a straggler then go home when you've had enough. [/i]
or.....if i hit it off with someone, sweeping them in the wrong direction would be ok then wouldn't it?! 😆 (only joking lads!)
if i hit it off with someone, sweeping them in the wrong direction would be ok then wouldn't it?!
this would be the [b]I'm-off-men-aleigh[/b] ?? Be afraid lads 🙁
*whispers* shhhhhhh, don't tell everyone 😉
Blimey, what a surprise, the thread has degenerated in typical STW stylee 🙄
OK bananaworld - (cool guy in a crisis) you're perfect for leading the niche pack 🙂 Keep away from him though when puddles appear!
I was extremely embarrassed by my lack of fitness and walking yesterday so would be happy to sweep for the slackers. You youngsters put so much pressure on an old girl 😉
Just so as you know who to look out for at Swinley, there's a little pic of me on the "doppelganger" thread on the Chat Forum 8)
Jeez, I'm such a minx sometimes 🙄
Weather looking good for Sunday 😀
[b]have you purchased your permit online yet?[/b]
what time sunday? if its too wet to ride herts i may pop down if thats cool?
Tony - 10.00 am meet for a 10.30 pedal. Would definitely be cool if you could make it 8)
[b]Guys[/b] - numbers have increased in the girlie posse 😉
ok, expect me if its wet 🙂
No photo.
No "doppleganger thread" on the Chat forum. I just tried (curious, nothing more).
Sunday clashes with the Gorrick race series.
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/post-a-pic-of-your-famous-doppelganger/page/2 ]Doppelganger thread[/url]
Well, of course this ride will be so much more fun than a race 😉
People will actually communicate rather than "outtamyway, racer coming through" behaviour.
Aleigh has a pretty impressive vocal range - guaranteed entertainment 😀
We will enjoy a civilised lunch at the Cafe where we can discuss the merits of High Rollers vs Nobby Nics 🙄
And not forgetting that we only get to ride once around the Forest then finish up at the Cafe again for tea and cake.
Pic is still there, just my usual attention-whoring 😉
No contest really, Swinley Forest is where it's at on Sunday 8)
Dez - you doing pics or Gorrick racing?
Well, if M.F. is turning up, I might not make Gorrick after all. 😯
Have a fun ride.
M.F. ? You've lost me!
We will without a doubt have a fun ride. That's what I love about group rides - everyone rocks up with the intention of enjoying themself 8)
My bike should be arriving tomorrow, so assuming that it all fits back together fine I'll be coming!
Seriously, if I pitch up (no pun intended) will I get my hole?
allyharp - good luck with the bike! See you Sunday.
cynic-al - sorry I'm a bit thick but don't understand your question?
Smooth Al - real smooth 😆
ti29er - you're in luck! The first Gorrick race isn't until the Sunday [i]after[/i] (racing on Valentine's Day, how romantic!) so come along!
jedi - would be great if you came along!!
Took a couple of people around Swinley yesterday and the conditions were much improved since Sunday with plenty of drainage having taken place. (Ah, sand: so shite for your brake pads, but so wonderfully free-draining...)
It was a mixed ride yesterday, once again. Happily no major injuries this time and I got the route [i]dialled[/i] (thanks, C_G, you're a great guide!) One of the people I was riding with was a girl, and she's single, but all ideas about inviting her along this Sunday evaporated after she proved to be all talk and no trousers: "I've done 87 100km elite Enduro XC races on snow-covered European mountains but my glycogen is low today so, no, I can't make it up this hill. Or down that one. And my gears are grinding. Also, I've got flat pedals on when I really should have fitted SPDs. I'm getting some cable-rub. It's no good, I can't go on as I'm not sure about the high-speed compression damping setting on my fork." 🙄
Suffice to say, I'm very much looking forward to this Sunday where we can all have a good time and just enjoy ourselves.
Woo hoo! Roll on the weekend!
(Please note: pleasure can be greatly enhanced for both partners if you bring along some spare brake pads 😉 )
C_G. / M.F (Marianne)
Have you come across www.FitnessSingles.com ?
Another route to networking other singles perhaps
Banana - how did you know about this week's excuses! My tux' is still at the cleaners; perhaps?
Bike is going into the LBS right now for some work, so unlikely to be ready.
Have a fun ride.
[i]cinnamon_girl - Member
Dez - you doing pics or Gorrick racing?
[/i]
Not sure what Rob's up to, so there might be a different ride in the offing*.
Quite happy to do pics as long as they're not too adult oriented 🙂
*[edit] seeing as I don't qualify for this one 😉