Just moved to Horwich, and have been out quite a few times around Winter Hill, but am really keen to hear if there are any 'regular' night rides around these parts.

So, where do folk meet up, and is there a 'night' when you usually go for a ride?

I think the Groovy Tribe used to do it every Tuesday evening! The southern chapter of the Bog Trotters go there quite often, and also other trails nearby(ish) like Great Hill, Darwen Tower, White Coppice, Gisburn, Longridge etc

Try getting hold of Lowey or Junkyard..

Both absolutley top lads, and local to that area..

Junkyard and Donk usually ride every Wednesday starting from over your neck of the wood.

Kingkongsfinger rides Thursdays I think, again from over your way, but he is a leg ripper.

We ride most Thursdays (although not always) but we start from Sharples which is to'ther side of the hill to you. Also, If I'm completely honest, our mid week rides are really just a quick blast out then back to the pub for 5-6 pints or back home for a fire and Bottles of beer.

Junkyard will be your best bet mate.

Junkyard is your man. Might need to take a spare chain with you though. 😛

Lowey is an alky

Lol at the replies so far – thanks guys 🙂

I guess I'd prefer it if I could ride straight from here, or else not have to drive to the start of a ride, especially if there may be a pub involved!

Junkyard or Kingkongsfinger then. Whats the deal with taking a spare chain for riding with Junkyard?

http://www.thewoollybacks.co.uk/

We have the odd ride up that way from time to time

Whats the deal with taking a spare chain for riding with Junkyard?

Marvel at Junkyards preparation ineptitude.

Aha, I see Lowey…

I've had friends (on here) turn up for a ride without wheels! That was an EPIC fail!

Kingkongsfinger

Depends on your fitness I suspect. His introductory post to his rides on here went something along the lines of 'if you get dropped, you get dropped'. So expect to be left in the middle of nowhere if you can't keep up. 😉

**** off yer b@stard …one simple mistake and will you ever let it lie.

Ok I ride mainly Tuesdays [sometimes weds]with DONK, Trio and others from here
I always manage to get there as I ride from home so dont forget bits!
Donk and I ride whatever the weather …we have been known to only use singlespeeds throughout the winter and ride at a reasonable/social pace ..he is faster than me but patient.
Usually meet at Barn for 7 pm and ride till about 10 ish …we ride back so you will be home 9-9:30 ish.
SO
Join Lowey if you prefer to ride in nice weather and never pass a pub.
Join King Kong if you want to ride like the wind ..he is sound though but quick
Chucky AKA Vortex rides Weds in Winter IIRC.

Cheers Junkyard – I've been known to ride with Trio from time to time, she showed me some of the trails around here when I first moved here.

If there's a ride on tomorrow night, I'll get down to the lower barn for 7 and hopefully see you guys there.

that picture of Junky is terrible – how could anyone think to ride in those shorts ???

😆 at sfb
But really fashion tips from Barnes and objecting to shorts 😯

and objecting to shorts

your shorts
with leggings
and your spindly legs inside 🙂

Depends on your fitness I suspect. His introductory post to his rides on here went something along the lines of 'if you get dropped, you get dropped'. So expect to be left in the middle of nowhere if you can't keep up.

It's not for nothing that we nicknamed Gav, 'Tortoise Boy' when he lived down this way.

There is a group of us that do a ride ever Tuesday night (starting a 6:15) starting and ending at the Sunnyhurst pub in Darwen.

Feel free to come along if you want.

Google Map

Cheers Nezbo – that would have been ideal a few months ago when I was over in Belmont. Good to know there's lots of groups all over the place up here.

Lowey is an Alky

My Body is a temple Mr Barnes as well you know.

You moved from Belmont to Horwich ? are you mad ? Christ you'll be in Chorley next if your not careful

😯

These are hard times – plus the trails are rather good over this side of the hill too!

When I was staying in Belmont I had the massive bonus of riding down the San Marino descent at the end of pretty much every ride – but pretty much every other option involved quite a lot of road ,or lifting the bike over fences…. 😕

There`s a few of us out tonight…meeting up at Bob smithy half 7.

Jeez I wish I still lived in bolton (5mins from Bob Smithy) – all this talk of Winter Hill / San Marino descents makes me jealous. It used to be so easy to pop out after work for a couple of hours on them moors.

Gavin, you should have tapped us up when you were in Belmont. We used to go to the Bull after most rides for a few beers.

Gav I am not out tonight – long story but will e-mail you for next week

After a 9-year hiatus, I'll be moving back to Rivi (well, Belmont this time) in a few weeks. As most of my old cycling mates have now moved away, or given up, I'd be very much up for meeting some new people to ride with…

Email's in my profile, but I suspect I'll resurrect this thread when I move in!

Gav,

About 2-6 of us always meet at the Bottom barn on a Thursday at 6.30 for a 2 hr ride. It is fairly brisk but not eyeballs out.

If your >14 stone you may struggle (unless your Magnus Backstedt) 😀

Your more than welcome to join in, theres no through and off this time of year. 😳

Me and a few mates ride from around the area Belmont, Abbey village, rivington etc. Mainly Tuesdays and some Tursdays.

Going tonight form abbey village(hare and hounds pub) at 6pm.

Email in profile.

Cheers Bolt

Cheers guys, I really appreciate your help here!

I think I'll pop on over to Bob's Smithy tonight and then assuming I'm still weighing in under 14st by Thursday, I'll try to meet Kingkongsfinger then 🙂

Be sure to sample a Pint of Bank Top in the smithy!!

Be sure to sample a Pint of Bank Top in the smithy!!

Curiously, I've gone off Bank Top recently. I'll have to drink more this weekend in an attempt to rectify this problem…

See you at Bob smithy then,as lowey says,bring a few quid for a post ride Beer or two.

Curiously, I've gone off Bank Top recently. I'll have to drink more this weekend in an attempt to rectify this problem…

Upon your return to civilisation then, Get yourself into the Bull and sample a pint from Al's cellar. His Flat Cap is simply the finest ale known to man. Truly the Champagne of the North. It tastes better than the pints we get straight from the brewery.

Ah, that's the problem you see. He also keeps Moorhouse's fine wares extremely well. If only he'd get Black Cat or even better, Black Panther in – Blonde Witch is a little summery for these long cold nights…. (I shall be living about 20 yards up the road from the Bull…)

I'll be down most weekends, but as I'm in the process of moving house to Belmont, sadly no room for bike in car, as it's full of boxes each weekend, and sadly the missus' little 14" Merida is a little too small 🙁

Most certainly up for getting involved when I'm settled in properly though, if anyone will have me…

Ask him. He has a list of beers he can get hold of.

He may be a touch on the morose side, but he is a fookin craftsman when it comes to keeping beer.

GavinB, I think I'll pop on over to Bob's Smithy tonight and then assuming I'm still weighing in under 14st by Thursday, I'll try to meet Kingkongsfinger then

Good lad 😀

Ask him. He has a list of beers he can get hold of.

I did. Sadly he reckons he doesn't sell enough mild / stout / porter to warrant it. He pointed me to the godawful keg mild instead!

He may be a touch on the morose side, but he is a fookin craftsman when it comes to keeping beer.

I'm not arguing with either of these points! 😉

I look forwards to meeting up with some of you in the new year, unless any of you happen to be in the bull any off the weekends prior to xmas…

Watch out Gavin, you might get your arse handed to you on a plate.

We are having our xmas ride either the 5th or the 19th. Will be decided tonight. If its the 19th Then its also Al's 60th and he's having a bit of a party at the pub.

I'll let you know.

I 've been riding with Lowey and gang since the beginning of this year, good group of lads and enjoy a good crack.