STW Singletons Social Networking Ride at Swinley Forest – Sunday 7th February

Rocketdog – discrimination is always rife on STW 🙄

And, of course, we wouldn't want it any other way 8)

Hi C_G. The ride was good. There were three of us, which is ok considering the very short notice and the conditions. It was a lovely day, the tracks were mostly not too bad considering, but the ones that were bad were very bad. One place where you have to cross 100m of field was just horrible and the bikes clogged up completely so we pushed. Next time I'll give more notice and when it's drier. A couple of people said they were interested, but working, so maybe next time they'll be free too.

Good to hear Karin.

Do organise another one please 🙂

CG, i've ridden Swinley once and know it really badly….i'm happy to sweep up the rear so to speak.

I have gained some 3/4 lengths just to show off my butt, this is in favour of the pink thong option which i think you'll agree is a good idea given the time of year….

don't post THE pic sharki

C_G – I will.

Actually, I've got an idea brewing here for a bike fest, arrive Hertford Camping & Caravanning Site Friday afternoon/evening, get set up and meet. Saturday rides for different tastes – maybe we could ask about the local 'shore (may be a charge, don't know), there could be xc rides in the woods, along the river towpath rides, or along the Cole Green Way for those with children/trailerbikes. Saturday evening BBQ music chat dance and generally get trolleyed, Sunday stagger round blearily and make your way home.

Does STW ever meet up down at Swinley on a non singleton basis?? I would quite like to have a guided/knowledgeable blast around there. I always seem to be lost.

You are on STW and ur not single? 😯
THe clue is in the name

Busted: back over to Bikeradar

sharki – it will be good to see you again but please please please leave the thong in the Q's 🙄

karin – that sounds a terrific idea! Is there any B & B nearby for a wuss? Could I just mention that some STW'ers are not lightweights in the alcohol department 🙄

Tiger – may end up organising another Swinley ride in Spring time. Am totally dependant on the lovely STW'ers to step forward and help with guiding and sweeping though. I'm certain they will step up to the mark again so keep checking the Forum 8)

I'll leave the thong then..sorry for all the hopefulls….well one at least..that's me!

I'll have words with the idiots i know who know the forest but they are lucky enough to have city wages which have gained them wives girl friends or other gullible types making them un-single, but for non singleton porposes i think they may step up and provide.

As for the Herts idea….could be a good promo chance for the already successful and awesome service that http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk/index.html provide..

C_G – Yes, Hertford is very close, Hotels and B&Bs there.

Sharki – I did kind of have UK Bike Skills in mind, but I have not spoken to them as the idea is only half-formed in my mind. I don't know whether they need any help, I thought it was a success anyway, but I will email them and see what they think.

i'm up for riding and chilling for a weekend. i'd prefer not to offer herts shore though as weekends the members will be riding it.

The 'Swinley Conditions' thread makes for disturbing reading – what implications might it have for this ride…?

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 😛

Genuine plea – 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)

##### Immature-content warning ######

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 inability 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 did not 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:

Meet 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:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&source=hp&rlz=1R2ADFA_enGB341&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=look+out+discovery+centre+bracknell&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=look+out+discovery+centre&hnear=bracknell&cid=0,0,13360349763248809014&ei=r-xlS_KzKYr-0gSm4LzGBg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQnwIwAA

There are NO parking charges BUT the car park gets very busy so allow plenty of time.

Permit – 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 😀

The only rule is to enjoy yourself 8)

Oops, should have said that I will bring sticky labels for name badges but this is purely voluntarily I'm an old girl with a shocking memory

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

The only rule is to enjoy yourself

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 fast 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…

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.

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 I'm-off-men-aleigh ?? Be afraid lads 🙁