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Hello all,

Just rejoined this site after a year off riding. Very interested in getting out and doing a few rides early in the year. I've already been to Swinley and Hadleigh.

I'm based in Wickford and have transport. Previously I've ridden Hadleigh, Thorndon, Epping, Swinley and Bedgebury Pinetum.

If anyone is interested, please get in touch.

Ben

Evening,

What are you looking to ride (XC, jump, DH) etc? I’m in Wickford also and will be getting back into it soon as winter fades. I’m more of a XC/Trail rider than DH etc. so if that’s your style let me know - always looking for company to ride with!!

Hi James,

The riding I do is mostly trail riding. I like to push myself though to keep things interesting. But don't worry, I'm not a cross country wippet or a no fear downhill loon. Black run at hadleigh and a six foot gap jumps is my level at the moment.

What do you ride? I have a Scott genius and a Cannondale Jekyll. Both have heavily upgraded. I also have a marin nail trail from 2000. Very retro with mostly original parts.

Anyway, let me know when you are riding and see if we can meet up. I'm riding most weekends to try and get my stamina up. Did two laps of hadleigh two weeks back and felt great till I throw up in the car park. Lol

Bye Ben

Well, first ride of 2019 out the way, turns out mud tyres might be a thing after all! I ride an On-One 456 with an...unorthodox build! Still, it managed the black sections at Hadleigh last year so will be interesting to give that a go again!

I’ll be up for a spin one weekend if you want, Hadleigh’s probably a good shout as pretty much all of the rest of Essex is a pure mud bath at the moment! I’m around early Sunday if you fancy, set off at 8ish..?

Got your reply and interest about the ride but the conditions this weekend might be tricky. Could you do Saturday or Sunday this weekend about eleven? Hadleigh might be the best call.

11 on Sunday works, might let the frost thaw a bit! Meet in the car park?

Sounds like a plan to me. See you then.

I'll message you Saturday to make sure it's still on etc.

Definitely going tomorrow.

I'll be on the black Scott plus bike with the green decals with matching lid.

Grand, I’ll see you there. I’ll be on the all black rigid with the Blue pack.

Hi James,

I'm going to go to Swinley on Sunday if you want to come. Car share if you need it.

I will be taking the quicker bike too.

Ben

Their website said they were closed due to weather, dated 3.2.19?! Seems odd for a place that markets itself as an ‘all weather destination’! Do you know if that’s still the case? I’d hate to get to the other side of London just to turn around!

I'll double check later in the week. I would think that was because of the snow.

Hi. I'm local to Wickford. Been to Hadleigh, Swinley etc. Wanted to jump on an early'ish Sunday ride ? Interested in someone showing me Thorndon and or Laindon as have been to both but not found a huge amount of trails. Cheers

Hi James.

I checked Swinley again and it was open today. Looks like it was the snow or maintenance. I'll check again later in the week.

Hi A Rogers,

We might not go Thorndon this week as it's a mud bath and the bits you want to find will be dangerous. Definitely going soon though.

Hi, ok thanks. Is there another ride on Sunday you might do ?

Cheers