Er, I'm leading the Whippets ...
I'll probably be a slacker- unless living at altitude has made me fit enough to compensate for not having done any serious riding since January...
Only just spotted this, but as i'm a local it looks like an ideal first STW ride for me.
I'll go with the whippets, unless its wet - then I'll plod along with the slackers
Better mention that on-the-day weather will play a very large part in route choice/s.
Why does almost everyone want to be a Slacker? 😉
Am recce'ing the Slackers Ride tomorrow, must remember to slow down. 😉
You Slackers are going to miss out on some fun stuff ... but the good news is there's plenty of other good stuff to be enjoyed. 😀
Modest? Moi? 🙄
Oh and of course I will be checking for bluebells!
How did the recce go?
I can't make the ride unfortunately, do you know if anyone will be recording a GPS of the route or anything like that?
slackers....whippets.... can't we just all cycle together? It's a social thing!
That was my thinking this weekend with the Purbecks ride Anna. Can't see the point of all meeting up, shaking hands and disappearing for the day. You can go fast on your normal rides, these are supposed to be about meeting people and riding new places aren't they?
Sounds like a good point to me, I'm happy to ride in any group but would be good to have a massive social...
Thanks for your input. 🙂
At the moment we are trying to more or less have one group. Let me explain ... currently looking at possibility of Slackers putting themselves and bikes in an STWer's van for a different start point. This would mean a saving of some 5/6 miles so that naturally means more singletrack and fun stuff. 8)
The Whippets will catch us up at some point so we can either ride as one group or stay in two. It therefore means the Whippets will have a longer ride.
If, by any chance, there is anyone else with a van who would be willing to transport Slackers bikes and bodies, that would be brilliant. E-mail in profile if you prefer.
Route is sorted and it's a good one. Classic XC. 8)
Bluebells have been spotted but need a wee bit longer to be at their best.
Don't forget there will be a 'happening' after the ride, with a request for a couple of quid charity donation. Unfortunately I really can't say exactly what it is but you will enjoy it. 😆
poppa - shame you can't make it. Is a gpx route any good for you?
Looking forward to this one! 8)
pedalhead - don't suppose you fancy swopping bikes? 😉
Any news on the new one?
The thing is which group do I go in if I think I'm a slipper/whacket/slacket/whipper..... ! 😉
Bring the Ocoee and we can swap for the day 😀 . I finally gave up on the new one yesterday & asked for my deposit back. Nearly 8 weeks into a 2 week delivery was getting a bit silly. Now thinking I might snaffle a bit more away for a while & go full custom later this year or next. Will probably get a cheap & cheerful steel frame to keep me going for a while though in the meantime.
I had an idea - I'll ride the Ocoee on the uphills and your Blur on the downhills. 😆
That's a shame about the Ti. Quite happy with my Soul, running 120 Fox's. Not a patch on the Ocoee obviously. 🙄
Just a thought ... folk may need some reassurance that we will NOT be parking in the town centre which gets extremely busy. As mountain bikers, we are relegated to the outskirts of town [s]and thus avoid parking charges[/s] 😀
Seems to me like its going to be a good day out... I guess someone coming is half decent with a camera, would be good to have a couple of pics??
It will be a GREAT day out. 🙂
It's a shame that Mr Poddy will be unable to join us, he normally does a really job of recording Forum Rides.
So ... a polite request ... who is good behind a lens?
Well I'm not great but I always bring a camera and I'm fairly trigger-happy 🙂
If I come I will take flattering images
pedalhead and rOcKeTdOg - thank you. 🙂
Can you post an idea of the route? I'm hoping to attend once the Doc let's me back on a bike!
leftyboy - it will be undulating but all ride-able. Some steep descents, fast singletrack through the woods, a gully, water. Am hopng to make Slackers ride a bit shorter than 52km.
If you have a full-suss, bring it but, equally, hardtail/singlespeed will be fine.
Hope you get good news from your Doc.
Looks like I will be there now the Ash has shifted- looking forward to getting out in the UK spring- won't be back for again for a couple of years...
Everyone - final details including link will be posted up next week. We could be in for a treat with bluebell displays. 😀
Paul - pleased you can make it!
Excellent, thanks for your planning as ever CG 🙂 . Looks like I'll be bringing along a mate too for this one. He's treating this as his "birthday ride" as he's thirty...something (I've lost count) a few days later.
pedalhead - we are indeed honoured. 😀 Your friend will have a memorable birthday. Of course we do not age-discriminate at all on the Forum Rides 😉
heh I should mention I'm older than he is 😀 . He's not been out on the bike much lately, so expect much puffing and whinging, but that's all part of the fun isn't it (unless you're the one doing the puffing and whinging).
It's a broad church on STW, hell, they even let middle-aged birds like me on here. 😉
Reassure your friend that he will fine in the Slackers group - Auntie C_G will be on duty!
Well, I'm honour-bound to stick with him, so I'll bring the jelly babies and be sure to make him regret his decision with frequent photos of his struggle 😀
Hi All,
Been watching this thread with interest.
I live in Kingsworthy and one of my regular loops takes in Alresford and Micheldever (another over Farley Mount way, oh and another to Cheesefoot head and around).
Can't commit to joining or not ATM but will see how things pan out next week.
One word of warning though - King Charles in KW has closed down. Not sure if is was on your route for a munch stop.
Would love to see a map of what you've done/doing. intrigued by the thought of a gully and water (unless thats cress beds).
The rain over the weekend has left a lovely slippery sheen on top of hard ground. Made last nights single track through the woods more exciting.
oh - I also saw bluebells in the woods alongside the andover road from Winchester this morning!
Hi there Brooker! Hope you can join us but a gpx will be available afterwards.
Am not intending to stop at a pub. From past experience, some mid-Hampshire pubs do not welcome mtb'ers and, quite frankly, are only interested in the 'well-heeled of Winchester' types. 🙄
Of course, chalk is lovely when damp. 😉
I haven't been back to Winchester since I was at uni there, oh...a few years ago. Should be a nice trip down memory lane. Not that I can remember an awful lot about that hazy period 🙂
Pedalhead how long ago were you at uni there? Did you ever sample the delights of the Mash Tun and the company of burping Ron?
I was there for a couple of years 1994-1996. I remember the Mash Tun yes, though only went there a few times. We tended to stay further up town or in the SU bar. Ah, good times indeed.
the mash tun is now a trendy tapas bar don't you know, no more sitting on the floor listening to bands...
Is there aroute for this ride yet or is it a secret, could make it with the wife childcare dependant...
There are a few pubs that don't mind grubby people on bikes just have to route them out...
the mash tun is now a trendy tapas bar don't you know, no more sitting on the floor listening to bands...
Or sitting on the comfy sofa around the fire getting slowly hammered on a cold winter evening. I used to love that pub.
Steelsreal - route is a secret, only known to myself, singletrackmind and Mulletus. Any rumours of me losing folk on a ride are untrue [s]except when at Swinley Forest[/s] 🙄
PS Actually I think some people like being led around the countryside by a mad woman. 😉
Any woman would do to be frank
Any woman would do to be frank
😆
Sorry to butt in... but
MAsh Tun a trendy tapas bar!!!!! Bloody hell. I grew up in Winch (17 years) and had the pleasure of living round the corner form Ron. The Mash when I was there was full of dope heads and a few random skag heads to boot..... Things change! Ace pub it was.... Spent most of early adulthood there! Then it went art studenty....
Good riding to be had, cant make it unfortunately...maybe the next one. Have a good un.
When you say 'some people' ALL blokes like to follow a lady on a bike, nothing better 😉
Bigface - you've set me a challenge, I will try and act like a lady on the ride 😯
Oi! The rest of you can stop guffawing 🙄
Cinnamon Girl - know what you mean about well heeled winchester types and local pubs.
Will keep a look out for the meet details and join in if I can...
count me in! Let me know if I can be of any help as a sweeper, as I'm likely to be at the back 😳
no, i'm at the back
Thanks AndyRT. 🙂
Details will be posted either tomorrow or Monday.
Bluebells will be outstanding. 8)
kinda interested!
a " youngster"
Looks like i've got the green light, so see you there. 🙂
Rusty, Are you travelling down in the morning? If you're local I can give you a lift over if you want.
leeson - I'm pleased you're flattered. 😀 You and Alex were certainly impressive with your never-ending wheelies on the Purbecks ride. 8)
rusty - glad you can make it!
Mulletus - i'll call you this week when i know what we're doing.
Bluebell update - the ones in my garden look nice.
Full details will be posted in the morning, once I get my keyboard skills in proper working order. 😉
Any chance of a gps route if you have one c_g? Cheers 😀
pedalhead - sorry but I reckon surprises are best. 😀
[s]Actually it's a power thing, STW'ers having complete confidence in a mad woman leading them around the countryside[/s]
CG - whats the plan for next Saturday? I've not heard anything back from you since your last email to me. Are you still after some assistance on the ride. Will you be pre riding any bits between now and Saturday? Can you let me know either through here or via my email address.
Thanks.
Matt
bikey - I thought you had left the country! Will send you an e-mail.
bikey - e-mail just sent. 🙂
[b]Details:[/b]
Saturday 8th May, meet at 10.00 am for a 10.15 am pedal.
Meet point is Prospect Road, New Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9QF. It is on an industrial estate (signed Household Waste amenity) on the western side of the town.
New Alresford is just off the A31, east of Winchester. Also easily accessible from M3 motorway.
Once you have turned into Prospect Road, continue to top of hill and bear right. There are parking spaces but you may be directed into the compound. Link:
You will need to bring a picnic, camera recommended for stunning scenery, also a windproof/waterproof top as some of the route is exposed. Route is an undulating 52km with around 800 metres of climbing, less for those who will go in the van.
As mentioned there will be a surprise ending so please bring a couple of pounds to donate to Help For Heroes charity. You will love it. 8)
Any questions, post up or e-mail in profile.
So ... who's in?
me 😀
Me me!
Yep. 😀
OH YEAH..!! Packing my water shooter for the Wet T shirt Comp 😯
OH YEAH..!! Packing my water shooter for the Wet T shirt Comp 😯
LOL 😆
Yep.
I should add, I'm bringing along a couple of mincers with me 🙂
I wish I could go 😥
Sounds like its going to be good!
i'm in assuming house sale/completion goes through ok friday.
Looking forward to my first stw ride
I'm in, may well be battered/hungover/half dead though as its the missus' nice's 18th birthday the night before to which the whole family is invited.
Given that the family seems to be dreading the occasion I think I may have to resort to getting hideously drunk in order to forget the shear awfullness of having to spend the evening in the company of middle class teenage girls who all think they are infact black and "gangstaa 4rm da ends" (sic).
I may not shower for 48hours before hand to ensure that no one attempts to start up a conversation in my vicinity.
Water pistol, mincers, hangover. 😯 What a great ride this will be. 😆
I was hoping to join in but sadly the Doc says "No" so I hope you all have a good one and maybe next time... 😥
No Lexiekay to push up the hills on this ride, shame . Or tubes to change really quickly.
I really hope its dry at least, looking forward to it already.
I think i am sweeper / mechanic for the 'scenery admirers' .
Just bring some foodage , water and a sense of humour. Should be a grand day out.
Anyone thinking of using the train PM ME and I should / might be able to collect from Winch station. If there are a few using PT then some waiting for trains from other departure points might be neccessary. There might also be the possibilty of a return to Winch station as well.
See you all Sat.am
leftyboy - that's bad luck. Get mended soon!
Any more?
Me and my dad may come, and my dad might bring a friend or two if that's alright?
Count me in with 1 or 2 hangers on