Forum

As there doesn't seem much interest in this I've made other plans for Sunday.





Winter is coming

It's only a matter of time before Epping turns into a swamp so I thought it would be a good idea to get this posted up sooner rather than later.

I'll be riding with my son so a slightly gentler pace than Laser's ride




Leaving at 10:00am from Bury Rd car park. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.635904,0.012584//@51.635456,0.012647,191m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!4m3!1m1!4e1!1m0?hl=en

Postcode - E4 7QJ

The car park linked is in two halves... rough part and a tarmac part. Either part is fine as you can see one from the other.

If you're running late and miss the start you may be able to join us at the bacon stop here - https://goo.gl/maps/z3ni5 We usually stop at the cafe next to the Kings Head at about 12:00, although be warned we don't always stop there and the time can vary

We ride for about 5 hrs ( maybe a bit longer ) and cover about 25 miles depending on the route. Pace is moderate with a bacon stop about halfway through

All Welcome.



FAQ.

I'm not a guide or an instructor, you're responsible for what you ride / don't ride yourself.

What do I need to bring?

Apart from you and a bike...
.
Some way of dealing with a puncture a spare inner tube in whatever flavour you need is best as it’s quick to change... a repair kit is good to carry but a bit of a faff to use in the middle of a ride. If you’ve got a tube lots of people will help you to change it... pull out some patches and glue and we’ll meet up with you on the next ride . A pump, someone will have one but you should have your own anyway.

A chain quick link to match your chain type for those broken chain moments.

Multi tool and tyre levers, again someone will probably have them but so should you!

Something to drink and a snack.... cereal bar, banana or similar. We stop for bacon but you never know when the munchies will hit.


Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Really the answer is yes and no.... This isn’t a ‘fast’ ride but you do need some sort of basic fitness level ( not much... but some ) . There aren’t any massive descents that need full body armour but there are some ‘interesting’ sections. Nothing that can’t be rolled over. Lots of slippery roots to keep you on your toes though.

We stop at the end of each section for everyone to catch up and get their breath back, although maybe not as much as you would like. We try ( with limited success sometimes ) not to lose anyone.

So...

Just bought a bike and haven’t done any sort of exercise for the past 20 years, this was me a year ago , you’re possibly going to struggle but come along anyway and give it a go. If it’s too much for you or the rest of the group are having to wait too long we can point you at the fire roads and you can enjoy the day at your own pace

Just bought a bike or been riding for a bit and have any level of fitness... yes you’ll be fine.

I'm fairly new with basic fitness. Don't think I've ever been in the saddle 5 hours though!! :-O But I'm tempted.

If you have to it's pretty easy to bail in Epping.... you're never that far from a road and as long as you have google maps or similar on your phone easy enough to find the car park

Ride cancelled.... see above.

Hi Bugeye,

I just discovered this site - too late for tomorrow but I'd be up for coming along to the next one (before Epping gets too swampy!). I've ridden Epping a few times over the years but I get the feeling I haven't discovered half of the trails yet, so would be good to go out with locals who know where they're going!

Iain

Just found the site as well .... up for a ride tomorrow (24th) if anybody is going, but does cancelled ride mean nobody shows up, or not the moderator to show us around? I've ridden Epping for about 20 years so know my way around, but my regular riding buddies start to go quiet as the forest gets muddier - and it's a pretty muddy ride right now! Would like to join you guys for a ride some time, and maybe occasional away days. I'm James - hiya!

Just seen think was cancelled other ride else were.

NP ... went out today and it wasn't nearly as muddy as earlier in the week, I suppose it can still dry quickly for now! Will watch the forum and try to get along for the next ride.

Sorry I missed your post jrg, would've been keen to come along. I went on Saturday evening and discovered a whole new side I hadn't found before! I'll probably head on this Sunday morning if you're interested... assuming it's not turned into a bog by now.

I can't make this Sunday but definitely up for a ride on Sunday 8th.

Or Saturday 7th as a second choice. I suppose it depends which day is going to be sunniest!

Looks like Sunday 8th might be drier, although not too much sun going around. I could do with getting out on the bike, could aim for 10am?

I'm up for Sunday, count me in. Might be worth creating a new thread for the date, so people see it.

Sorry for the delay, I'll post a new thread now in case there's any last minute interest. Meet at the front of the King's Oak Hotel? That's where I tend to start from, but open to other places if more convenient! I'll be on a black & neon yellow Giant Talon with a white helmet.

Cheers,

Iain