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Have to drop off and collect something in Newbury today, with a free hours spare in between. Haven’t been to QECP before, am I better off going there or Swinley after the last few days weather? Thanks.
QECP is well worth a visit. Better than Swinley, IMHO. It's got more elevation and there's some good off-piste stuff if you have Trailforks or Strava Heatmap.
QECP is chalky, Swinley is loamy/sandy. Would opt for the latter in this rain.
Its wet. Swinley
swinley is fairly pants though. the reds, miles from teh car park, are ok but to get there is fairly dull
but on the basis its really wet i`ll be going to swinley
swinley is fairly pants though. the reds, miles from teh car park, are ok but to get there is fairly dull
The whole of Swinley is about 2 miles across. If the blues to get to the red are that bad just ride 5 mins up the fireroad to intersect red 5 and then lap the red.
Have to say I was really disappointed with QECP the only time I rode there. Just something about it never worked for me. Swinley not perfect but generally rides fairy well and despite the criticisms there are some decent bits.
I like QECP but in the wet I'd not be driving 45mins past Swinley to go there.
You want a guide for QECP to be honest
Just go to Tunnel Hill instead!
QECP is chalky
I'd say more rooty. But yeah not so much fun in the wet
The whole of Swinley is about 2 miles across. If the blues to get to the red are that bad just ride 5 mins up the fireroad to intersect red 5 and then lap the red.
the red is just as boring as teh blue! i`ve only been once so didnt know you were supposed to skip most of it - my daughter and i did wonder why so many were riding the fireroads - haha! There are some nice bits but they are spread out and the trails in between arent amazing. That said its better then no ride! we are from brighton so used to limited elevation and trails!
Swinley is more fun the fitter you are and the faster you go. It rides pretty much the same wet or dry
QECP will be very slippy in these wet conditions, doable but expect to wipe out as if you hit black ice occassionally. Whether thats more fun probably depends on your definition of fun!
Swinley, be prepared to put a new chain on in about a week 😉
the reds, miles from teh car park, are ok
and
the red is just as boring as teh blue
- I think I misinterpreted your first comment in which case i'm sorry. Are you saying the furthest away bits are OK (I assume from that you mean Deerstalker, etc.). I mean, I tend to disagree, plenty other bits of the red are OK - Seagull is good, Tanktraps is good, reservoir run is good even if not trail centre downhill red type good. There's plenty to enjoy if you approach it right. Would i drive past BPW to get there? No, but it's accessible, all weather, and fun enough for a couple of hours.
kinda agree with what's said about Swinley, it gets better if you can just ride ride ride, if you ride it like winch/plummet and stop at every start and finish it definitely drops its interest a bit...
But i guess the OP has already headed to wherever by now and enjoying the rain
I'd rather stay in bed than go to Swinley 😂
I’d rather stay in bed than go to Swinley 😂
depends who with, and how much energy you have surely.
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But i guess the OP has already headed to wherever by now and enjoying the rain
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didn't have the opportunity to reply but against the advice, headed down to QECP. Enjoyed it despite the intermittent rain, chalk/moss/roots/mud etc was a change and a nice wee refresher of skills. Can see on a good day I'd enjoy it more than Swinley.
Pitch Hill and Holmbury were good today.
i'd have recommended QE hands down as its my local... its definitely a skills tester, and fitness tester in these conditions.
|really worth it with a guide, unfortunately some of the extra sauce has recently been unworked by forestry...