Forum

Time for this one again I think

Previous thread.... http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mountain-bike-away-days-events/chilterns-and-ridgeway-sunday-30th-november-t5952.html

I haven't decided exactly when but thought I'd see who was interested.




Aiming for approx 45/50 miles total depending on the conditions.



Some important stuff....

From the last time I think most of it should be ride-able.... It's mainly bridleway and tarmac ( very quiet B road and single lane stuff ) but there are a few sections that I'm pretty sure will be a foot deep in mud and need pushing through by now. There isn't much single track but the route was good to ride with a few challenging climbs

It's not really a beginners ride due to the distance and climbing but there's nothing technical or difficult.

You REALLY need to be self sufficient.... to be able to deal with a puncture, weather, carry enough food and drink ( really important ) and to be happy to get yourself back to the car park if you have to bail.

I'm not aiming for a blistering pace but I'd like to keep it fairly constant.

Would be an early start... 8:00 at Ivinghoe Beacon to make the most of the day light.

So in summery start 8:00am ride away from carpark for about 4hrs... turnaround ride back

Just to add last time most of it was very ridable but some bit were rather hard going, I doubt it's changed much

Meeting point - https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ivinghoe+Beacon+National+Trust+Car+Park,+Dunstable&hl=en&ll=51.833464,-0.604559&spn=0.004707,0.011362&sll=51.84527,-0.604763&sspn=0.037648,0.090895&oq=ivinghoe&hq=Ivinghoe+Beacon+National+Trust+Car+Park,&hnear=Dunstable,+Central+Bedfordshire,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17

I eat a lot Martin I'll need a bigger pack

Hopefully i won't be ill this time ,so count me in Martín.

This is on my list for the year... But not until a little later in the year...

OMG your freaking crazy guys, i went with them on the last one. I will be up for this one as well depending which week end it is. Got a few other things already in the calendar for Feb. End of a dry week would be ggrrrreeaaat though Think you can book us a week of sunshine to dry it out Martin

One of these filled with biscuits was my solution to the bigger pack problem



Picking some decent weather is one of the reasons for leaving the exact date for a bit... when I say decent I really mean not actually raining

Lots of vitamin C Harry.....

Looks a bit strange Martin from the 90's
Monster and haribo it is

Hey It's not even remotely '90's'...

It's a bang up to date tri-sided storage system using a flexible construction material with a single sided access point. It's under gone extensive testing and development to ensure that it perfectly aligns with both the bike top and down tubes allowing the use of a propitiatory hook and loop mounting arrangement.

Rigorous in use post purchase verification has confirmed that it is ideal for keeping your biscuits in.

I can't really comment on it's suitability for storing Haribo though as I like to keep them in my pocket.

How do you get back though? Do you come back to the start point?

Suggestion: What about an all-dayer 123km Capital Ring loop around London start and finish in Stratford? Yes its longer but we can ride for 3-4hrs instead of driving back and forth. Easy to jump on the train should it get difficult along the way.

Maybe another time?

Turn around at about 4 hrs in and ride back Back tracking the way you've been seems ok on this route. I think it's because it's all about the climbs... so a climb on the way out is a decent on the way back folowed by a 'new' climb.

For me it's a bit of long term project and a winter fitness thing that I hope will pay off in the summer so the drive up there every couple of months doesn't worry me and tbh it's quicker for me than going to Swinley or similar.

Capital loop looks interesting for a summers day with plenty of pub stops

Lol. Pub stops and 123km ride dont go together but I like your enthusiasm

Ok, for the Ridgeway. I must make sure it does not clash with the Thames Path ride i have in mind. No date for that yet so i am flexible but i was hoping for end of Jan or Early Feb.

Up for this one !, but will most likely have to book that weekend off work as will be working weekends in February

Remi... I'm sure we can organise it so they don't clash

Simon.... how much notice do you need to give to book the time off? The long range weather forecast shows 14 days so 2 weekends ahead, how accurate it is in February is anyone's guess though. I don't mind a bit of precipitation but a full day of rain could mean a last minute change of date

Dont worry about me, nothing is organised for TP so I am flexible. TP is always there. Whenever it suit others. Hard to tell in advance when it will be a good weekend the way the weather changes now.

Depends on date but I should be in for this,