Damn, wrong end of the country 😉
Now on a serious note, everyone who can make it I am rather jealous of where you live.
Is there anything resembling a conditions update, I'll be hacking the rigid SS..
Ta.
@bikebuoy - me too, I'm riding some of it tonight so will report back (also on rigid SS), but Pook's route is the best of the trails for the moist conditions - but not for SS Knees!
Although there was a good frost this morning so if the temp keeps dropping it could be cracking.
At uni until the 18th-ish of december so won't be able to make it, have a good one all!
I'll be scouting the first half of the route on a SS ht on Friday afternoon to double check conditions
Any bike is suitable, though a good few sections will be rocks, it depends more on your wrists
I am hoping to come along, but have a must not miss appointment in Holmfirth at 5 (8yo daughters dance show). Any idea of a finishing time? Rough estimates are all I expect!
If everyone turns up you'll not be home before Tuesday
Lots of people means lots of delays
I'd say the average pootle fitness person would be looking at 3 hours on a good day in a small group
Add in any number of mechanicals & cake stops I'd estimate 4 hours minimum, weather could extend it further
Yeah podge is about right. The big group makes it slower but I can always advise on escape routes if needed.
Thanks guys. I'll be there on my new steed, SS karate monkey.
Looks like I'll be bringing about 4 people with me (2 of which lurk on here, but don't post). I have warned them about the cake requirement. No need to worry about them going too fast though 🙂
Getting that many people through the first gate is going to take an hour all by it's self
If I climb off my bike (because my knees are f***ked) and push on the serious technical sections will I be alone?
Up hill, no
Down hill, maybe
I'll be out providing I can throw the man flue, hoping to drag some Sheff and lincs guys out to.
Cup cakes in the oven tomorrow.
May be a few coming with me.
It's not going to be a quick ride but it will be fun.
There will be lots of pushing up hills.
I'm one of the Lincs guys referred to by jameswilliams54, there's likely to be at least 2 of us. It will be good to escape from the flatlands and sticky clay again.
I'm tempted to join you Pook but I've only got my gay pink bike, not really suitable for XC riding!
I've been a bit worried about this.... You know, with 70+ people! But.... The more I think about it, the more I realise that it's just going to take a long time!!!! And we all get to speak to everyone as we go! 😀
And fwiw - I would love to make some nice gluten free yummy bits for after but I'm flat out this week so I'm sorry all you coeliacs out there!
hsmith - Member
I'm tempted to join you Pook but I've only got my gay pink bike, not really suitable for XC riding!
POSTED 7 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
It's ok!!!! I have pink bits on my bike so it won't look out of place at all!
Chris has pink bits on his too
If anyone has any walkie talkies or similar can Pook & I borrow them so we can keep track of front & back markers, some of the route isn't covered by phone or internet signal
Thanks
This is Broadsword calling Danny-boy. This is Broadsword calling Danny-boy. Are you receiving me, over?
I’ve a pair of motorola walkie-talkies. I’ll make sure the batteries are charged up
Ooh what moniker can I have?
The Sunday Ramblers are going to be a little unhappy aren't they?
If my budding plan works out - not so much. But it is a concern I have.
Some of you may be relieved to hear I can't make this now - going down to Essex to pick up our two new miniature Beagle pups
I should be able "borrow" the radios from the mrs running club.
Confirm tomorrow.
Just back from a quick spin around the valley, we opted not to do the route as we'll be doing it on Sunday but we were on trails nearby and they are wet, muddy and there is quite a bit of standing water about the place.
It was warm tonight and sufficient cloud cover to prevent a decent frost.
Str.... Can I come?
Haha - wondering what you've gotten yourself into Pook?
My record is 38. This is the next level.
If it helps on numbers, I now won't be able to make it. My knee is absolutely buggered. I suppose I could do a Hora and turn up without a bike, just to soak up the ambiance*
Actually, looking at the numbers, and the inevitable vortex of faffing you'll be sucked into, I could probably walk/hobble round quicker 😉
* he has actually done this
Sorry to disappoint folks, but Hora has just cried off.
I'm cunningly leaving the country for this, but I wonder if it might make sense for you to split into several smaller groups and take slightly different routes with a pre-planned lunch RV or similar where you could always 're-group' into slightly different factions.
I'm sure you've thought it through anyway, but I'm thinking no so much of the folk on the Pootle, but others using the trails at the same time. Anyway, just a thought.
BWD, plans are afoot or should that be awheel?
We've all clocked that ~100 people on the same trail at once isn't possibly the brightest move
Oh and if everyone could carry their own spares that'd be good, stopping 10 people to ask for a chain link / pump etc will cause lots of issues
Yep. Lots of back room discussion about plan b and plan c.
We think we've worked something out
* he has actually done this
Promised someone a lift and kept my word. If I hadn't the bloke wouldn't have been able to do the ride.... plus it meant a hoon back in a Mini Cooper at the time.... 8)
I still have a really bad chest. Don't want to upsur my recovery. Have a great one.
Sounds crowded, 18 of us at Cannock seemed too many on Sunday
To help with the numbers a nice lady hit me with her car a couple of weeks ago. The pain has subsided to aches but I won't make this Sunday. Have fun!
As predicted by someone on here the numbers are dropping fast, by Sunday it'll be just Pook, Grattan Catalogue Man and Podge!! 😀
If it's just them two I'd drop out too
Bring lights me thinks 😯
ASIDE:
Did you know that mini Victoria cake tins cost £15 for one!! EDIT: will cook 16 'tiers'...and I'll be in tears cooking 140 of em. Promises like pie crusts mi ma used to say, but for the above reasons, I'm out.
You'll have to make to with 3 bags of wine gums ........
balls, been wanting to go on my first pootle since I met Chris and he told me about them and I can't make this one either. Out Saturday night with a mate I haven't seen for ages, won't be in a fit state. Will probably be hungover too (budum tish)
Have a good one folks
When did we meet?
There will be carrot cake. Not enough for 70 though. First come first served though.
Another cry off chaps. Pook you're a victim of your own success. 70 riders is a huge amount (even if only 75% turn up) so I'm going to do the decent thing and go to Macc Forest instead!
Have a good un though.
Right folks, here's how it's going to work. Rest assured, it's not being cancelled - this is just a plea for your help!
I started the Pootles about four years back to establish a properly inclusive ride. Over the years I think we've managed that and the Pootles have been fantastic for getting forumites who perhaps were a little nervous about joining a group ride involved and out with others. As a result, and as you can see, the word has spread and we have this mad (but amusingly) massive group ride going on. It gives me a few concerns...
- I can only count to 20 so keeping track of everyone is going to be a nightmare
- the probability of mechanicals happening has gone through the roof
- 70 riders trundling past is going to seriously annoy walkers
- while the route I've picked is very hard wearing there'll still be some impact on the trails
[b]
So I ask for your help in a number of ways [/b]
- if others of you would like to splinter off and do other routes I can plan some for you happily (the alternative Pootle routes)
- please be entirely self sufficient with spares and repairs
- we are going to annoy walkers. Please, smother them with kindness; big smiles, cheery hellos, give them plenty of room and act as an ambassador for mountain biking. If we need to bribe them, share cake!
- let me get to the bar first when we've done!
- if you know you can comfortably ride a bit quicker - please see the plan below....
[b]For those pootling we're going to do it slightly differently. [/b]
- there will be two groups; fast-Pootle and slow-Pootle. Both groups will still be at Pootle-pace but with the fast-Pootle slightly less pootley than the slow Pootle.
- fast Pootlers will have a head start. Same route, led by one of the Pootle regulars.
- depending on how we are doing, we can build in a couple of extra loops - the two groups will be in touch with each other via walkie-talkie so we can coordinate 10-4 roger tango. Basically, the fast group will have an extension if needed
I know I can trust you all to help me out - it's going to be a laugh I know.
Looking forward to it as always.
I'd still like to come (for the slow pootle) but my car has just given up the ghost for the 3rd time this month. Anyone from Manchester way heading over with room for one? Happy to give petrol money, will be bringing cake and should be able to provide walkie talkies if necessary.
Chris, the megaphone is here, I'll drop it round before Sunday, I'll have walkie talkies tomorrow
If anyone needs a lift from East Midlands Airport area, shout up, or drop me an email (in profile!)
Chris, I'm not riding this time as it clashes with the climbing club's annual bogtrot. I do however have a pair of Motorolas if you want them and can meet me at Fairholmes before 9.45. You can return them via Jules. Let me know.
I think we're OK now. We have two sets which should do us. Thanks though
Wifelet has chosen christmas Crafts over me this weekend (if she's reading this -not really :-P) Edale carpark 10 am, I'm presuming the one next to the station? If so count me in.
Driving from 'Bratford' if that helps anyone?
Lift available from Roundhay/North Leeds.
Buck drop me an e-mail but it depends where you live
We can't make it - unable to swap shifts.
Not a happy sausage.
Sorry.
Around 790m of climbing for the "mid pootle loop" if my electromap is anything to go by.
Full pootle routle details tomorrow.
I Think there will be no more than 40 folk.
Hello,
I am in. I have a weekend pass so will be camping nearby and making the most of the Peak District Loop around high peak and tissington, before the inaugural pootle.
Will stock up on bake wells and cherry cake.
C
Lee, we'll see!
Put me in for the slow group, my ankle is still swollen after my crash on the road bike last Friday.
I'm not missing the Pootle though, I've even got a new Battery for the Car as it was playing up a bit.
I'm not coming now. Taking the opportunity of a gap in the weather and a day pass to have a ride around Coed-y-Brenin on my own and take in some of North Wales' finest driving roads there and back 😀
I'm still in, definitely plus one, possibly plus two. Will be joining the slow group I think (I'm average downhill, but a wheezing mess uphill) and I shall be bringing a camera.
I might have a walkie talkie if it's needed?
Communications are covered thanks
It's just stopped leathering it down so I'd expect it to be a bit squelchey on Sunday
I would expect nothing less!
Junkyard, thanks for the offer. YHM
We can't have everyone in the slow group by the way.
I suppose it's quite tricky to work out what group you need to go in. Riding with regular buddies I know exactly where I sit in the scheme of things, but that doesn't really work in a pootle format.
Car park race to decide?
How about everyone lines up and group leaders take it in turns to pick riders.
I reckon by the time you've worked out who's in what group and got it all sorted it'll be about 3pm and everyone will be ready to go to the pub.
😉
There's a plan in hand for sorting out the groups, too.
Crazy-legs, there's room in my car if you need a lift?
Jules, thanks but I'll ride out there.
Anyone need a lift from j26 m1? (passing through chesterfield).
Unforeseen circumstances I'm afraid.... I'm not going to make it. Gutted. I'm so sorry Pook, I still owe you one & I stick to my word!! You'll get a nice red with an explanation some time, I promise!
Have an absolutely fabulous time everyone & remember to laugh.... A LOT!!!!! 😀
Solarpowered 🙁
I wanted to check on progress.