Just to confirm that this is most definitely still going ahead. Aleigh and myself will be leading a posse of STW’ers around the singletrack of Swinley Forest on Saturday 10th January 2009. Meet at 10.00 am and ready to ride at 10.30 am.

For those who have never been here before, you’ll be in for a real treat. Loads of singletrack and doesn’t matter if the weather is unkind cos it all drains well and some of the trails are aggregated anyway.

Swinley Forest is located near Bracknell in Berkshire, if coming by car follow the brown tourist signs to The Look Out, on the B3430 which is just off the A322.

Nearest station is Martin’s Heron, Bracknell, and it’s just a short pedal away.

You will need to purchase a day permit, cost £2, but the good news is that you can buy this online and download the receipt (obviously bringing it with you). The money raised goes towards the cost of supplies and specialist equipment needed to maintain the trails. Link here

<https://sslrelay.com/www.mbsawebsite.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=15495bb078032ba/shopdata/index.shopscript&gt;

We will ride in the morning for a couple of hours, return to the Cafe where you can purchase reasonably priced hot and cold food/drinks then riding in the afternoon for those who want more entertainment!

Just to emphasise this is a chilled-out ride, easing gently into good habits to maintain those New Year resolutions 😉 We will be riding as one large group which will certainly be a challenge and a sense of humour is essential!

Please ensure you make yourselves known (I will be wearing a bright green STW jersey) cos discount vouchers will be handed out for a brilliant local bike shop – Mountain Trax in Wokingham are again very kindly supporting.

Polite request – those who know their way around Swinley and are prepared to be “strategically placed” within the group – could they please e-mail me. Thank you!

Look forward to meeting you all!

cinnamon_girlATtiscaliDOTcoDOTuk

Sorry for the waffle but wanted to cover everything 😀

I will be at the back of course as I have been known to make the odd noise and also park my bike in between trees from where I’ve been riding too fast – and there’s no way you lot are going to witness that!

I’ll be there, email sent because I know Swinley pretty well 🙂

Aleigh – a prerequisite is to have a sense of humour for this ride! As I’m leading I will also provide the entertainment – good job I can laugh at myself 🙄

Blokes do come off sometimes but it’s normally when nobody else is looking!

We will both be there and e-mail sent

I’ll be there and J might be along as well.

For the shopping down the road of course, not riding. 8)

I’ll probably come along if my legs recover. I know my way around mostly so feel free to use me as a sweeper/whatever. I’ll be near the back anyway 🙂

I’ll try and come along. I’ll be the one touching myself innappropriately and making wildebeest noises.

I may be present depending on lift availability. CG it’s bad form for the bloke to come off first 😮

i will be aleigh’s crash mat

Thanks for the replies and offers of helping, much appreciated.

pete – you need to tell J that the Spring range is making an appearance!

pk – there’s a place nearby that is warmer and safer than the forest, shall I make a reservation for you??!! You can almost see it from Swinley! Top quality clientele!

Sandwich – I couldn’t possibly comment!

rOcKeTdOg – I don’t think you ride a bike cos you never come to any of our events!

cg, no need for that, I’ll try and behave, i’ll try and beehive, i’ll try and dance the tango. And i’ll sing you a nice little tune about rabbits, fairy tale castles and nuclear weapons.

Righto, off to get bollocksed. HNY.

Would definitely like to tag along on this one too if that’s alright. Good to hear Chris and co from Mtn Trax supporting – just the spot to head to afterwards for some post ride retail therapy!

rOcKeTdOg – I don’t think you ride a bike cos you never come to any of our events!

are you sure you haven’t seen me riding as you seem to describe it exactly as it looks…like i nver ride one 🙂

RD…sure has a bike. 😆

sounds fun , shame it so far away from dear old somerset. Doh !

Knottie8 you are welcome to stop over here the night before to split the journey

Think I may make an appearance! Down in Southampton all week so may be able to stop off on my way home on sat. Sense of humor is always packed! Will confirm asap!

Dunc

“I’ll try and come along. I’ll be the one touching myself innappropriately and making wildebeest noises”

grrrrrrr!

pk – can you get hora to join us?

rocketdog – thanks for offering to be my crash mat 😆 i accept, hope you know what you’ve let yourself in for 😉

auricgoldfinger – everyone welcome! Retail therapy is always good.

db – no excuses, Soton is only an hour away!

atlaz – can I have your e-mail address please?

pk – reckon aleigh will need to keep you under control 😉

I will be driving up from Southampton with room in the car for one other person and bike. Swinley is only 30 minutes from Southampton when I drive.

😆

WCA – don’t forget the flyers for the BigBikeBash, they can be handed out with the vouchers. Happy New Year to you!

Happy New Year

PS How did you know I am WorldClassAccident?

😉

I’m up for this one too, Happy New Year!

I’d like to tag along as well, as long as the numbers aren’t getting unmanageable. Would be two us, myself (Nev) and Konahead (Julian).

r6ymy – I hope you aren’t implying that Aleigh and I are unable to control a crowd of STW’ers?

Take 2 feisty ladies plus some “strategically placed” locals and, in the words of the inimitable WorldClassAccident, “what could possibly go wrong?” 😀

Worry not, I have done this sort of thing before … many times … but not with such an eclectic gathering 8)

We can’t wait!

dobo – Happy New Year, glad you’re coming and you will see some different trails to yesterday!

more different trails…look forward to it

hora won’t come down for it. he’s too busy licking windows

Count me in. Have not been round Swinley before although it is only 40 mins away, too busy with the Devils Punchbowl and Hankley Common. Will bring a mate as well.

I’m probably going to be in Swinley that morning too – starting earlier (like 9-930ish) but finishing around the same (lunch)time. If I run into you will say hello for sure and may join you for a bit!

theotherjonv – our ride will be much more fun! I’m sure we’ll be easy to spot, snake-like through the singletrack!

May try and get my arse down to Swinley for this one, but not promising. It is almost 2 hours away after all!

hora won’t come down for it. he’s too busy licking windows

well someone has to do it i guess 😉

Cinnamon_girl
I have at last managed to get my password sorted and I am up and running again. I am sorry to have missed the ride yesterday, but I had no way of contacting you through this site! I am still up for the ride on the 10th, if it is not already over-subscribed? I did msg you before Christmas, remember me, the wheezey bloke with a note from his mum?

Let me know if there is room for one more slacker?

Matt

Wow – it’s gonna be quite a turnout!

mboy – put your foot down, you’ll get there quicker! It’s not every day you get the chance of being led around trails by two gorgeous girlies 😉

Hello bikey, yes I remember you! Oversubscribed? There’s room for everyone, including slackers!

gorgeous girlies? Who else is coming then?! 😯

wanna slap pk?

mboy – put your foot down, you’ll get there quicker! It’s not every day you get the chance of being led around trails by two gorgeous girlies 😉

Appealing to my shallow side I see!

In that case, will have to see what I can do. Though don’t you dare disappoint! 😉