Was that Cove? I lived on Sandy Lane for a year or so and figured Cove was south of the M3 as there was a sign saying ‘Welcome to Cove’ when I drove that way.

Yes, definitely Cove, Farnborough postal address. I lived just off Sandy Lane!

so what is the riding actually like round here? any comparisons?

Hmm.. not sure. It’s somewhat unique because it’s MOD owned land which has not much purpose beyond allowing soldiers to run around and be preserved for the environment’s sake.

Some hills, some flat bits, loads and loads of twisty mostly man-made singletrack. Sandy soil, which means it drains well unless it’s wet enough to be properly waterlogged, in which case there’s nothing to bind it so it dissolves into mush and is unrideable. Doesn’t last long though like that. Swinley is a highlight imo (at least it was before the trail centre stuff). If you’ve got a bit of leg power and can handle a bike it’s an absolute blast of flat out high speed singletrack. Tunnel hill is less extreme sport more rambling exploring, but very pleasant – nice mix of woodsy singletrack and clearnings with views.

As for technical – depends what you mean. It’s not rocky or steep, but if you ride fast it’s very technical indeed. Definitely worth a try.

This.

so what is the riding actually like round here

Tight twisty singletrack mostly, and LOTS of it. Head over towards Caesars Camp (aldershot way) for more steeper stuff to play on. There is some slightly jumpy suff around here, but there’s not a lot of elevation to loose/gain so it’s mostly pedally. It’s easy enough to do a 50-mile loop hardly touching any roads but you’ve really GOT TO know where you’re going or you’ll never find most of it. For instance, I can ride out of my garage to the end of the road then use traffic free cycle paths 90% of the way to Tunnel Hill, ride Tunnel, Porrigepot & Frith Hills over to Swinley, do 25-40 miles and probably not use more than a mile of tarmac total…. 🙂
Get out on a Trolls ride if you can is the best bet, cos you’ll just get lost otherwise! 🙂

Down next week then, by the look of it.

I live a couple of miles from the centre of Farnborough, and think I have been into the town centre once or twice over the past 10 years. Once you get away from the centre there are plenty of nice areas. Funnily enough I was born very near Ramsbottom, and while I go back occasionally I have never felt the desire to fully return.

The posts above sum up the local riding pretty well. Lots of twisty rooty tree lined single track, no rocks, fairly small hills but plenty of fun.

The section on the Tunnel Hill Troll website about single speeds and rigid forks was a bit of an injoke at the time. Plenty of people do ride them and keep up okay.

Probably easier for you to go over to Camberley isn’t it Jason? 🙂
To be honest I’d imagine most people don’t go to any town centres that much any more these days do they?
We buy stuff from wherever its best or most convenient. Supermarkets are mostly out of town, small specialist shops like butchers are generally not in the middle of town either.

To be honest I’d imagine most people don’t go to any town centres any more these days do they?

Not if we live somewere with a crappy centre, no. If you live somewhere with a nice centre people go there all the time, cos it’s nice 🙂

Mol, yeah, but big towns are mostly all the same these days aren’t they? Gap and H&M. Move out of the centre and they get nicer usually, all the cool shops and cafés are there because the rent is cheaper and there’s more space.
Small towns and villages are where it’s at. 🙂
That said, we’ve been going into Farnborough more and more recently….. Because it’s getting nicer. 🙂
It’ll never have a bustling nightlife because there’s no clubs. To me this is a plus point though.

Mol, yeah, but big towns are mostly all the same these days aren’t they?

Not really.. some are, for sure, in terms of shops. That’s why people usually stick with one when they want to shop for clothes etc. But The environment is a key thing.

When we go into Cardiff we go to a coffee shop; browse some of the big chains for clothes or whatever; our kids usually want to look in one of several good toy shops that we have; sometimes we visit the library; sometimes we have lunch somewhere good; sometimes we pick up essentials which you can still do in Cardiff; sometimes we are at the dinosaur museum which is also in town; sometimes the castle or just the park. So town is still fun for us.

I also like small towns and villages – I’d live in a small country town if I could (and will move when I can afford it I think).

So town is still fun for us.

Cardiff is a city…

Used to live just off Sandy lane also, and as said above, its only the town center that lets the area down, its relatively nice compared to a lot of other places.
I’m surprised they never developed the local airport into something more major instead of getting a 3rd runway at Heathrow, there are some good transport links there.
As for the Tumbledown, went in there a few times in the 90’s but I used to work the bar at the Agincourt in Camberley, that was a far worse experience.

I’m surprised they never developed the local airport into something more major

Apparently they can’t because of the technical college being slap-bang on the end (beginning?) of the runway. Or summint.

I lived in Northcamp…. that’s not too bad. Sydney is nicer tho.

Is there a decent LBS in Farnborough? One that can install an in-line brake lever to some drop bars?

I would aim for Mountain Trax in Barkham, near Wokingham.

Another thought – Purple Bike Shed are mobile and possibly in Farnborough, worth a call.

Purple Bike Shed are in Farnborough, Andy’s a great chap.

Xodus Cycles, North Camp (area of Farnborough).

Anyone riding Tuesday eve?

I would but I’m working nights! Can probably do Weds?

Trolls will be, somewhere in the area.

Maybe after the Bank Holiday Mol if you’re still around ?

Weds night would be ideal, after work.

ATP yes, I’ll be there for the long haul. You’ll know were to find me 🙂

No probs Molgrips. I’m off on Weds so let me know a time and we can meet at the layby just after the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre on Mytchett Place Road. All are welcome. E-mail in profile. Will probably be around 10 miles on Tunnel Hill and Porridge Pot at a social pace!

Might be up for that depending on time.

I’m staying in ‘boro so I can be there 7 or so.

Ah, I can guess !

PeterPoddy – Member

how does it not win reccuring Crap Town titles every year?

Because Yate exists.

I was back in the area over Easter and I had forgotten how faceless Yate is & that Tesco’s really is like a cross between The Mother Ship & The Death Star.
I thought to myself “how did they get planing permission for that” & then I looked around and realised I was in Yate 😮
Yet 1 mile up the road is Chipping Sodbury which has character?

Quick reminder for Molgrips and anyone else who’s interested. I’ll be setting off from the layby next to the Basingstoke Canal Visitors centre tomorrow night at 7pm. We should be able to squeeze in and 1 hour to an hour and 30 before it goes dark. I’ll be on a grey Santa Cruz Nomad. Let me know if you’ll be attending. 🙂

Cheers

Andy

Yep, will be there and will be lit up in case it goes on a bit longer / anyone wants to extend a bit.

Is there a decent LBS in Farnborough? One that can install an in-line brake lever to some drop bars?

If it’s mechanical services you need, my email is in my profile.
LBS mechanic by trade, I do private work too. 🙂

Nice one TOJ. I’ll bring two sets of lights so I’ll have a spare should anyone else need it.

I can also recommend PeterPoddy as a bike mechanic. (Wasn’t sure if you were still doing work from on here Peter hence not mentioning you earlier!)

I’ll be there too, I will have lights, and can donate my helmet light if anyone needs it.

Hopefully there are fewer puddles than at Swinley last night…

are you guys ‘fast’?

I’m not fast by any means. Not looking to go out racing, just a social pace on good trails.

Tunnel Hill drains very well. Should be fine by this evening. See you at 7 guys.

Fast as lightning. You’ll be eating my dust.. For breakfast.. Or something 😉

Someone pm me with a mobile number. I might not be able to make tonight after all, but I’ll need to text someone.

Oh.. looks like I can come after all.

Sorry only just checked back here. Any issues just mail me.

Just commuted back home over Ash Ranges, it’s wet out there 🙂

Have a good ride.