[Closed] There'll be trouble ahead - Swinley Forest content

Luckily I don't live down there anymore, but what we use to love doing was just exploring.

Off the established 'trails' are hundreds of yards (and more) of singletrack that folk just don't use. And this is what I think is the loss.

buzz-lightyear - Member

Don't be so defeatest. Fallen trees and debris can be moved, bracken can be cut, wardens can be politely ignored. Keep on keeping on.

Love this. Fight tha power!

Personally I'm gutted as I've spent a lot of time up there in the last year and even though I expect the new ones will be fun, its a shame to lose some great trails.

Give it some time Ralph, these issues often turn in cycles, the boundaries move one way then the other. It's rarely static.

There's a ' Mega Train ' opening ride on Good Friday posted up. This group are involved with CE , so I think we can take it that's the official opening day.

Alas , it still can't be guaranteed that all trails will be fully opened cus of this shitty weather.

Story here http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/2125872_new_swinley_forest_bike_trails_to_stop_insurance_claims

What kind of dickhead would sue the estate after crashing on their bike?
Jeez.

I'd say that the chances of stopping insurance claims entirely by putting in a purpose built trail are very low. They might be able to defend them more effectively, but you can't stop numpties from suing you.

Some people are reminiscing about the old off piste trails that might be lost.

Regular riders might agree that it's all been so over ridden & the weather so foul , barely nothing is ridable at the moment , a complete bog.

The new trails will at least give some ' all weather ' options.

Remember , Swinley forest is but a small part of the ridable area.

If you want natural , there's Crowthorne Woods , Bagshot Common , Broadmoor , Sandhurst ect , all without crossing a road !

I'd say that the chances of stopping insurance claims entirely by putting in a purpose built trail are very low. They might be able to defend them more effectively, but you can't stop numpties from suing you.

True, I'd guess tho CE have a pre-prepared defence, they've likely already done it as part of this process. This means the cost of initial, and hopefully usually successful, rebuttal of the ambulance chasers will plummet to a letter.

In which case the ambulance chasers will move on to other low-hanging fruit. They're not in it for the benefit of the injured party, it's a numbers game to them.

[i]In which case the ambulance chasers will move on to other low-hanging fruit[/i]

So next time you overcook it on [i]that[/i] high consequence off camber section and all you can see as you high side the bike is a sea of blokes in suits proffering business cards you know it'll be time to find a new favourite riding spot.

the estate was currently facing a £50,000 out-of-court settlement to an injured rider.

I've mixed feelings about the direction things are taking at Swinley, but ultimately CE have to make some tough choices and I'll be giving them a large helping of benefit of the doubt. If it turns out rubbish, well there are other places to ride.

This means the cost of initial, and hopefully usually successful, rebuttal of the ambulance chasers will plummet to a letter.

If only. I used to work in PI law and the firms that instructed me would never be put off by a strongly-worded letter.

The end of the recoverability of ATE insurance premiums will probably reduce the number of low-value claims massively, not sure whether the same can be said of the the new generation of purpose-built trails.

Does anyone have a good idea how long the new red and blue trails are?

Surely people are missing the main advantage of this initiative.

With nice all weather one way trails we won't have to endure the following threads again:
What tyres for Swinley coz its raining?
I got lost in Swinley last time I went - anyone around to guide me?
What are conditions like in Swinley after the rain yesterday?

On a serious note - this seems like a good thing. One way trails is a great thing for the area and some of the new (open) trails are pretty good. Also they have kept Stickler which is just brilliant.

This what we were all waiting for, and in the circumstances it is not unreasonable. For the masses it is necessary, enforecement has to be seen to be done, but relatively few people rode corkscrew, bombholes, rollercoaster etc. Watson's wander was a rooty bog not a trail.

However as long as there is Gorrick and races at Swinley, there will be sneaky off piste left from the races that can be used by the few.

' Over the wire ' Bagshot Heath

I heard there may be a rideable route through the back of pennyhill, does anyone know? Else where do you normally go, up Maultway or climb over under the pylons?

Also they have kept Stickler which is just brilliant.

Has someone hi-jacked your login Shortcut? I didn't think you could get your big wheels around Stickler?

"its a shame to lose some great trails"

You aren't!

I think there is a lot of precious behavior over all the redevelopment. No need really... It will be fabulous for the sport if more people can access fun trails. Good news.

GB

No more racing in swinley, from what I understand

[quote=theotherjonv said]No more racing in swinley, from what I understand

The Enduro's still on the Gorrick calendar for May.

Just move further North and/or West. There are far better places to ride 😉

As someone who has actually checked out most of the new stuff I can report that this is def a good thing for Swinley. The best old stuff made much better and lots of excellent new stuff built by someone who clearly knows what they're doing.

Unless I'm missing a bigger plan of everyone moaning so it doesn't get used much, I'd recommend stop whinging and get down there.

Email today was written in a negative way 'cos those guys got cut out of the process and are unhappy.

Of course we just have to take their word for it that they've been sued.

It's plausible though. I doubt they'd lie, they've no reason to.

Do you believe everything you've read/been told? 😀

Muppet - the new blue and red will be 15 miles combined.

Which bits are open now, and are they signposted?

I'm taking a group of kids there on Sunday and I haven't been for about a month. Last time most of it seemed to be shut.

As JonV points out, no more racing (at least for now) in Swinley. The Gorrick Enduro is NOT in Swinley this time round, although the website still says it is. It will be hosted at Porridgepot/Windmill Hill (Deepcut).

The creation of the new trails is a good thing for 80% of the people using the forest. The locals who ride it at odd times fo the day, and spent hours learning the random sections and knew the little bits of trail to connect other areas are the ones who will feel let down by the developments. I'm not saying they won't enjoy the new stuff, but the ability to vary your route each time is going to be removed or reduced considerably and that will probably reduce their enjoyment.

Yes, there is plenty of other riding in the local areas, but there have been issues with riding on the MOD land so the risk may be that these areas end up with more riders on them as they seek variety away from a pre-defined loop.

Which bits are open now, and are they signposted?

Officially I think its w9y, stickler, tank traps and the labyrinth area. If you see plastic mesh pushed to one side at the start of a trail that means its still closed but someone who thinks they know better has ridden it anyway. If you see plastic mesh at the end of an apparently open trail then you must immediately repent and strangle one kitten for every time you thought you were enjoying yourself.

[i]Muppet - the new blue and red will be 15 miles combined. [/i]

Well that's the morning sorted, with a late start...

I think riders are worried that the trails will become crowded with perhaps little opportunity for old girls like me to pull over for a fag and a breather.

Absolutely detest anyone on my back wheel, it can be quite intimidating and offputting.

Would be interesting to know what the percentages are of locals and those who travel further afield.

[i]Officially I think its w9y, stickler, tank traps and the labyrinth area.[/i]

Thanks. That lot added to some of the fire roads and Crowthorne should give us plenty of riding. Is it obvious which way round they have to be ridden or are we still going both ways?

Do you believe everything you've read/been told?

@cg no but neither am I as cynical as I once was. Most people are just trying to do their jobs as well as they can, just like we do.

I don't see CE making up a bare faced lie, they've no need to. They'd just say "we're scared of being sued" rather than quite specifics.

@somewhatslightlydazed , sign posted & one way.

Went the other day and everything I rode last year was still there, with added packed down kitty litter. The new reservoir trail was fun, just needs to dry out lower down, the top is quite quick already. I don't know the locals secret stuff so cant comment on that. I normally take a weekday of work to ride it, so I'm not going to worry about traffic as there isn't any then :).

Can Swinley still be ridden at night?

Wondering what happens if you were to get lost off the exceedingly well signed trail. I imagine it would take quite a bit of exploration to get back to the exceedingly well signed trail.

Wondering what happens if you were to get lost off the exceedingly well signed trail. I imagine it would take quite a bit of exploration to get back to the exceedingly well signed trail.

And you might accidently ride a section the wrong way by mistake.........

I think riders are worried that the trails will become crowded with perhaps little opportunity for old girls like me to pull over for a fag and a breather.

Absolutely detest anyone on my back wheel, it can be quite intimidating and offputting.

Would be interesting to know what the percentages are of locals and those who travel further afield.

I dont want to appear unkind but you arent forced to ride at Swinley..

I rode some of the new stuff last week its a lot of fun, as long as the play areas are still accessible it should be fine

Im happy to drive 2.5hrs to cwmcarn for an xc loop with no off piste, im just as happy to drive 45mins for the same

I think the new stuff looks great. I do hope there is a settling in, rebuild time. Some of the new stuff, (eg off the tank traps) may erode quite quickly. There is, from what I have seen, plenty of opportunity to bin it and land in a crunpled heap. Stuff near the reservoir had my grinning but I am old and slow ( :wink:)

yeah that bit dropping in just past the reservoir is really good flowing fast

I dont want to appear unkind but you arent forced to ride at Swinley..

I think the point CG was making was that if you live in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Wokingham, etc then it's the local woods and the new setup is worse than what it replaces. If you're driving from further afield then you've got a choice of your local riding or driving to Swinley, or elsewhere. Whereas if a local doesn't want to ride a pre determined one way trail their alternative is to drive somewhere (which is obviously worse than being able to ride from your door).

I am prepared to give them e benefit of the doubt at the moment. I think it will be great to have an all weather option in the area and there is plenty of other stuff nearby. Plus SF was close to a TC anyway IMO. Hopefully the whole DH will stay the same?

Might put more pressure on Porridge Pot etc..?

My friend was telling me that she saw mums with pushchairs on some new singletrack.
Also, an update to say that a phone call was not received from Crown Estate. Civil servants eh.

Hitting walkers doesn't actually hurt very much.

They tend to take most of the energy from the impact. 😆 I haz experience in this matter.

I luckily stopped some downhillers just in time before they set off down the new fast section by the reservoir, because I saw a group of young kids pushing their bikes back up the track to do it again, despite there being a forest track parallel. To top it off there was an adult behind/with them 🙄

The new trails were fun, but I personally found it a shame everything is so smooth now. Absolutely gutted if they do get rid of the other trails in there.

I know what you mean about the smoothness, prefer some roots\ruts\rocks thrown in there. I used my HT over the full sus after a few rides there, might have to go rigid next after the smoothing down. I guess they wouldn't be willing to set any rocks in place in case of injury.

I think the point CG was making was that if you live in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Wokingham, etc then it's the local woods and the new setup is worse than what it replaces. If you're driving from further afield then you've got a choice of your local riding or driving to Swinley, or elsewhere. Whereas if a local doesn't want to ride a pre determined one way trail their alternative is to drive somewhere (which is obviously worse than being able to ride from your door)

This is exactly the point. I am not longer a local - but the main fun of SF was being able to string a ride together - indeed I used to drive from Bristol to meet up and ride. No point any longer - if I want a guided trail - I'll go to Afan

Overall, a poor result for locals - unless you get "lost" though I understand much of the Crowthorne trails are still there

If there really is no off piste - then I'm glad I don't live there any more

It really isn't a poor result for locals (as a local) - hardly any of the old trails have gone...

Still don't get the moaning.

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Having spent a few weeks riding the new loop it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

On the downside:

It's chuffin busy at weekends, not so busy that quick laps are impossible, but busy enough that you'd struggle to get a clean run through any section. Not the end of the world, but it's certainly busier than it used to be.

The swinely facebook page is full of moaners moaning about everything from slower riders, to braking bumps, and 'XC' riders cutting the ques for sections.

On the plus side:

It's weatherproof, the fire roads are suffering (very badly in places) more than the trails when it rains!

While a lot of stuff that ran vaguely nearby to the new stuff is beyond riding (or just not as good as the new bit), there's still loads of off-piste alternatives to keep a sense of variety if you ride the loop regularly.

If it's hugely popular then it might get more investment and more trails. Or cynically it might get overused and eroded.

I'm with gee. Just because there's a bunch of posts with numbers on people seem to think that's all you can ride. You can ride them in any order you like, go off piste, head to crowthorne etc etc. The only real constraint is that you stick to the signed directions, but if its quiet you can even bend that rule on some sections.