[Closed] Whitwick / Coalville / NW Leicestershire Riders

As nobody had said they were coming by the time I was due to leave work, I stayed to finish up a few things so I'm not going to be there either. I think that means this week is off so don't rush to try to meet anyone, Scandal!

Fathomer: just to satisfy my curiosity are you fat homer, or someone who fathoms? 🙂

Ok then people. Who is up for Saturday?

No worries if the answer is 'no-one', I'll be going anyway!

Suggested meet is the layby on the A512 heading into Loughborough, just after you come off the M1 at J23. I think 8-15 am is a reasonable time(?)

Let me know if you want to come, if no one does, I'll just blast straight up to the peaks.

Cheers.

I'm a definite no I'm afraid, the weekend has rapidly filled-up with various other commitments - shame as I've not been on my bike since last Saturday, still hoping to sneak a quick ride in at some point this weekend but it's not looking good...

Enjoy the ride though!

I'm a definite no as well due to having tickets at the Tigers. Probably going to head up Sunday on my own and do something around Hope/Edale.

muddyfool – Member
Fathomer: just to satisfy my curiosity are you fat homer, or someone who fathoms?

I'll be honest, it was originally fat homer, but it's now someone that fathoms as it doesn’t make my sound like a five year old 😀

Sorry Danny i have to work saturday and sunday this week. Have a good ride, the weather is supposed to be good too.

No worries fellas. Looks like I'll be solo-ing it, then.

On the plus side, the weather looks great, so I won't miss you all too much!

See you next Wednesday?

Let me know the next time you are out there, I'm desperate to try it.

Well, I don't want to make you all jealous (well perhaps just a bit).

I had a bonza ride in the Peaks today. Weather perfect, trails firm but a bit slick under the trees due to wet leaves starting to drop. Five climbs and five descents, all classics. Hagg Farm, Blackley Hey, Lockerbrook and Whinstone lee Tor in both directions. I was totally shot by the end.

I won't be able to do an away day for a couple of weeks at least, but the next time I do, I'll try to coax some of you along.

Good luck for the Viking tomorrow scandal.

See you Wednesday evening!

Sounds fantastic, glad you had a great ride.

Sadly my day consisted of watching the mist boring game of football I have witnessed in a good while, in fact I spent most of the game thanking my old man for making miss the ride.

Anyway, had a cracking ride locally today and I'm desperate to get back out on Wednesday, so who's game?

I'm there!

Next away day not for a few weeks, I'll be consulting the kitchen calendar over the next few days, subtly of course.

And yes, we do have a calendar with our names and social engagements on it in the kitchen. Sadly, my kids seem to have more of a social life than I do!

Anyhow, Wednesday at 7 it is.

Touch and go for me at the mo.
New lights - check 🙂
More pitches in work - check 🙁

Will take everything to work hoping I don't get roped in.
If I'm not there by 7.05 go without me - have fun you crazy kids.

Try to play the 'grey man' at work. There, but not really noticeable!

Had to do some extra hours yesterday, and am going in earlyish tomorrow to make sure work can't screw this up for me!

Hopefully see you there.

Doesn't work like that here.
A mugging is always imminent.

I should be able to make it but I'm not certain, so leave without me too if I'm not there by 5 past.

Im going to be there, rob from t'other week should also be coming.

Yes, deffo for me too - goody two-shoes that I am means I have done all the work I need to before tomorrow, so away on time tonight.

See you there at 7pm

I'm going to make tonight as well, without trawling the thread, I assume the new meet is in the pub car park?

Depending on numbers I have a route idea.

More than happy to be led this time!

Good ride last night folks (five of us made it out).

We basically rode our legs off for two and a half hours (at least that's what it felt like to me!) A good mix of trail riding and xc type hacking.

Only one over the bars, one failed light, one knackered brake pad spring and one snapped dropper cable to report - BTW that means the Bardon descent now has a 100% take-down rate, two rides, two crashes.

Here's to next week............

Yeah, really enjoyed last night. Legs are feeling it a little today but it looks like my trip to Snowdon tomorrow is probably off thanks to a combination of strong winds, fog and cowardice.

100% take-down rate

Right then folks, I'm going to put a date 'out there' for a peaks ride.

How about the weekend of 9th / 10th November? Just a one dayer, no stopover or anything flash!

Multiple route choices, I'd be more than happy to do one of my faves. Either day will do at the moment, but if we could firm up on that in the next couple of weeks that would be great.

It has also been suggested that one of the Wednesday evening rides could be over this side of the NWL riders range. Perhaps Wednesday after next (23rd oct)?

Again I'd be more than happy to concoct a route for that.

Let me know what you think about the above ideas.

Cheers.

Excellent, ill consult she who must be obeyed when I get in.

I think this is worthy of my first post. Both outings sound good to me. I will just go with the flow (unlike my riding skills!). Rob

Saturday would be better for me, but Sunday not impossible.

She's a good gal 😀

Count me in on both chaps!

Sounds good. I should be able to make both, and I'm fine with either the 9th or 10th.

Looks like it might be a wet ride this week!

Wetter than an otter's pocket methinks. Probably not the best time to be carving a rut through a nature reserve 😉

Still, more than enough good stuff to be had. 7pm at the Rag n Mop as usual - see you there.

My little local pootle yesterday was 'moist' to say the least, although the ground hasn't given way yet, so there wasn't much actual deep mud - just loads of puddles and the odd mini-stream where there usually isn't one.

I've also had to manufacture a longer bender fender as cleaning my eyes out with cotton wool buds after the ride is not something I enjoy!

We can discuss next week's ride starting near mine as well. I've got a few ideas - including a cracking start along a gun-barrel straight mud over hardpack path through six foot high maize stalks!

Or as Rob Warner put it recently, "wetter than a dolphin with a bladder infection" 🙂

Will be good to see some more trails over our side of the M1 actually - I know a few but I'm sure there'll be some new ones. All bridleways of course!

The way the rain is today I think it's not long until the proper mud starts unfortunately...

I can report that there is a fair amount of proper mud in places in the woods.

Also, quick question chaps.

If a frame has 135x10mm dropouts I take it I would need new wheels if they were 9mm quick release?

Or is there a way it can be done?

Cheers

9mm qr should be fine in the bottom of a dropout for 10mm, shouldn't it?

I might be talking bollox, though.

But surely it is the act of doing up the qr that compresses the frame against the locknuts (and their slightly serrated edges). This, I believe, is what holds the wheel in place rather than a tight fit inside the slot itself.

Might be bollox, rob used to work in a bike shop, he'll know.

Can I please not be following you when you try this out for the first time, mind?

😆

I did think that but just wanted to be sure, just thoughts rather than a real life issue at the moment so don't expect my wheel to fall off just yet.

Roll call for later then?

7pm in the Rag n Mop car park - wetsuit and snorkel optional.

I'll be there.

Currently trapped in the car due to a directionally confused hurricane.

Still hoping to be out.

But surely it is the act of doing up the qr that compresses the frame against the locknuts (and their slightly serrated edges). This, I believe, is what holds the wheel in place rather than a tight fit inside the slot itself.

Kind of - but you'll need to make sure the wheel is square in the dropouts - I did this once and it's surprising how much out of line the rim/tyre can be.

Doubt I'm going to make it tonight, if I'm not there by 7.05pm don't wait around, I'm still on site unfortunately 🙁

Meeting overran so still at work but I should be able to make it thanks to the 7pm start!

(I should start taking my bike to work I think, would increase my chances...)

Slight change of plan, I'm now stuck in the anstey co-op car park waiting for the AA. Guess that means I'll be giving this week a miss! 🙁

I'll be there.

So will I.

Unfortunately for you pair so will I.

Nice ride again tonight fellas. A bit clarty in places, but nothing too boggy.

Rascal, hard lines with the wheel, at least you've got a few days to sort it. I hate that feeling of thinking you've got a good deal on something and it turns out to be not quite as expected.

Looking forward to next week already.

7pm in the village car park in Woodhouse Eaves for some variety. Finishing at the Curzon. Tidy.

See you then.

Hi there- I would be up for joining in on this. I have recently moved to Castle Donington and work in Leicester.

Last night i was supposed to be riding around Lady Bower but the traffic was too bad.

What are the trails like?

theglover - it's the East Midlands so not a patch on the Peaks unfortunately BUT not that bad either considering. There's not much height to be gained other than Beacon Hill and Bardon Hil but lots of cheeky woodland trails. It was 'otter's pocket' wet on the ground last night which made for some interesting unplanned drifts.
Every trail looks and feels completely different to how it does in the daylight anyway. Always ends with a pint at the local hostelry too 🙂

Different location next week - a bit further away from you but will be worth the trip.

DISASTER STRIKES.

Well not a major one, but slightly altered plans for the Peaks are required.

I am going to have to push the proposed weekend for the peaks back a week to the 16th/17th. I really hope that this doesn't cause you all any problems.

To cut a longish story short, my mother in law is (very generously) trying to organise a special weekend away for my wife and I for our tenth wedding anniversary. She was trying to do it for the weekend of the 2nd, but something cant be booked that weekend, so she is trying to do it the weekend after. If we leave it any later, we will be struggling to do it near to the actual anniversary, so the moment will probably be 'lost'.

Sorry to mess you about, but this is outside of my control. A point-blank 'no' wouldn't go down all that well, I think.

See you next Wednesday evening.

Scandal. I've just picked up the warranty replacement frame.

Google 'Genesis Core 50 2011', to have a look. It is a 19" not 18 as I said before, but it is quite a short frame.

If you are interested we can talk about a price. P.S. It also has an oversize headset ready to go in, but it has not been pressed yet.

I don't know if you like 'raw' finishes on frames, so this might be a bit of a marmite thing, you either love it or you don't!

Sorry again about the peaks reschedule. Unavoidable I'm afraid. If a group of you can't do the week after and want to give my route a crack, I can write out some instructions that will make it nigh on impossible to go wrong!

Then. I will go Billy no mates the weekend after 🙁

Hello, I see that you are meeting nearer to me this wednesday and would be up for joining you all if that is ok.

How long do you tend to ride for?

Cheers - Rob

We tend to ride for between two and two and a half hours.

The pace is 'social', if anyone gets carried away they end up holding open a lot of gates and helping to lift bikes over fences!

See you on Wednesday.

Sounds good to me, see you wednesday

I think 16/17th will be ok for me but will have to confirm nearer the time, Danny. Should be there on Weds too 🙂

Good to see a couple more joining this week too, don't forget to add 20 mins on to those times for a quick pint at the end!

Thank you for the reply. Woodhouse Eaves is very easy for me to get to as I work in Narborough...

Hope to make it along tomorrow. Is that ready to ride at 7pm?

Hoping to make it tomorrow...2 factors may scupper it though - no rebuilt wheel yet and new cat arrives tonight which will need bedding in over next few days (which I'm quite excited about I'm not afraid to admit). I could chance the wheel but inevitably more spokes will go 'ping'. Shame if I haven't done a night ride in my 'local' area for yonks.

See you all there tomorrow. I might be a bit slow as I am currently off work with what is politely termed a 'stomach bug'.

Got home from work last night and was absolutely fine. Lugged a bag of firewood up the garden, no problem. Came back inside and said to my wife "I dont feel all that well". Twenty minutes later and I'm on the khazi for the first time. Eventually gave in at about 10pm and took some Imodium. I normally don't subscribe to using Imodium, preferring to let things take their course, but this was a bit different.

I'm starting to feel a bit better now, so should be fine for work tomorrow and then the ride. The pace might just be a bit more 'social' than normal. I might not put in any big pedalling efforts either, just in case.........

See you tomorrow.

rascal - dropped you an email, I've got a spare rear wheel you can borrow in the meantime if wanted?

Thanks Mike...will see how things go with the new moggy tonight.
Also, not sure I want want Danny's got either!

Don't worry about catching anything from me. No one else in my household has come down with it. I'm just a lightweight.

was planning on heading out with you tomorrow evening, but broke my xc frame at cannock this weekend, hopefully should be able to repair it this weekend ready for next week!

Sounds like there could be a good turnout this week.
Still not riding behind Danny though.

Yes, sounds good. I doubt anyone will be riding behind me, though. Going on past experiences, I will be taking it very easy at the back of the pack.

I can't quite decide if I'm ok now, or the Imodium is still working, but it should become obvious at some point!

I never used to get stomach bugs until the 'drinking stream water incident' in South Africa. Since that, I seem to be more susceptible. Still, never seems to last more than 24 hours.

I'm reluctantly gonna bail from tomorrow's ride.
I think there's a good choice I could have made it (could borrow a wheel off Schmiken) but I have a new kitten roaming round the house sniffing everything for the first time. Think he needs a few faces around at the mo to help him settle in - yes, I know...I'm a right pussy 😉

Sorry for lack of reply this week.

I am up for tonight so should be there on time for once. Danny, I have already purchased a new frame (not received yet) so unfortunately wont be able to take the Genesis off your hands, I'm sure you will have no trouble getting rid though.

Oh and you can't be at the back, I'm looking forward to having no clue where I'm going for once 🙂

Regarding the Peaks, I actually think the following week works out better for me so I'm still game.

Looking forward to this evening. I will be there even if I have to shove a cork up my jacksie.

Scandal - what frame have you ordered? Always happy to drool over new bikes.

Good to hear the Peaks still works for some of you. I'll firm up the saturday or sunday thing soon.

Howdy - can you just help me with the location of the "Village Car Park"?

I have been virtually walking round Woodhouse Eaves but I am not sure were it is...

Depends where you're coming from, but everyone seems to know where the Bull's Head is so I'll do the directions from there(?)

If you are coming from Quorn, the Bull's Head is on the left, on the corner of Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street, drive about 200 yards and you should see the a gap in the houses (adventure playground and village car park). It it about 10 yards after the doctors surgery on the right.

If you get to the village shop and the turning for Maplewell Road you have gone too far.

There should be ample parking unless there is something like the scout group on a wednesday, which I dont think there are.

It it about 10 yards after the doctors surgery on the right

Just to clarify, the car park is on the left, the doctors is on the right. It's signposted when you get there, and right in the middle of Woodhouse Eaves so hard to miss.

See you all at 7!

Can someone take responsibility for me yet again and bring a spare rear light 😳

And Danny, it's a 456 carbon, always fancied it and got a good deal so took the plunge, will be ready for the peaks.

Just looked at the on one website, that is a good price! And no worries, I'll have my Aldi backup lights with me again 🙂

Excellent ride tonight chaps.

Thanks for battling through the illness to lead us, Danny! It was a really good route including some bits I'd ridden past plenty of times and not realised were there.

Scandal: This is the work stand I mentioned:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0080R1CBG
I've nothing to compare it with so I can't say if it's better than others but it seems stable enough to me at a good price.

Chaps

Room for 1 more??

I've not long moved to Broughton Astley and between moving/new job/baby....the bikes haven't really been touched!

Would be good to get out and ride some local(ish) trails.

What other areas do you ride? (Woodhouse is prob about 30 mins from me). Cannock is about 1hr from us a bit of stretch with 5pm traffic!

Cheers,

Where did you ride last night?
Good turn out?
How did it rate compared to the birthplace of the NWLRC?
Worth mixing up the destinations a bit more?
Wished I'd come out last night...I'm sure the mog would have survived me going for a ride 😀

Rascal.

Remember, we're not allowed to mention any specific trails around here 😉

But suffice it to say, we rode many of the highlights of the area and we did not restrict ourselves too much!

Perhaps we could alternate the meets, one week rag n mop, next week here, type thingy?

We can discuss next week, although I am not 100% for that! I have a feeling work is going to screw me over the next couple of weeks.

That's if I still have a job. I came within an ace today of losing it. Having your boss say "I bet you wish you hadn't had the day off sick on Tuesday now" nearly prompted a row. I kept it to a very terse and short "it couldn't be helped".

Particularly galling when I'd had to take more Imodium this morning so I could be at work without shitting my breeches.

I'll see how it goes!

P.S. Thanks to all the chaps who turned up. I'm sure you had some really good 'getting to know one another chats' while you were waiting for me. I would claim it was a cunning plan to get you all talking socially, but if think we all know different.

Really enjoyed the ride on Wednesday. Thank you again Danny for leading.

Should be out next week and will have the portable pressure washer with me again 🙂

Wil be heading over Swithland Woods way very shortly if anyone's at a loose end.
Will be around the bombholes @ 11...cheers

Rascal.

Hope you had a good blast this morning. I did a small local ride yesterday morning as still not feeling 100%. But as I wasn't in too much of a hurry, I rode virtually everything in Swithy. It is still running really nicely, only a few bits of clag to report.

I'm a bit worried about this supposed hurricane that's going to hit overnight, though. The ridiculous summer storm in July 2012 led to one of my favourite bits of trail being interrupted by a fallen tree for well over six months. It won't take much for a good amount of our local stuff to get blocked again.

I guess it's luck of the draw, so here's hoping not too much damage is done.

Fingers crossed the winds don't do to much damage locally.

Danny, regarding the Peaks ride, I've checked with the social secretary and I'm definitely busy on the 16th and probably busy on the 17th unfortunately, so plan as if I'm not about and if I am it'll be a bonus for me!

Looks like the storm wasnt too bad.

There is nothing to stop us going armed with a hand saw or too though?

The woods were running surprisingly dry.
A few sticky bits but the bombholes were good and that's what matters 🙂
A mudguard on the back saved me getting too cacked up.

Loads of big groups of horsey-types out and about - undoubtedly doing much more churning than any amounts of bikers will ever do. Ended with a run down Windmill Hill and a few cheeky TT Landlords at the Curzon. Bike only needed a quick mud brush off which was a bonus considering.

Doubt I'll be out this week as off to Whinlatter Fri AM - if I get sh*t up on Weds I won't get all my gear washed and dried in time for Fri.

Storm, what storm?

Anyway, I'll pop the trusty folding saw in the bag just in case!

The trails are running brilliantly right now - because we had a decent summer, I think the top layers of the ground actually had some spare capacity for water this year, not like last year when everything was a slurry fest after May.

The meet this week is in the car park of the Man Within Compass pub in Whitwick (also known as the Rag n Mop) at 7pm on Wednesday evening.

My personal odds for wednesday night have moved from pessimistic to optimistic, but I'm not taking anything for granted. Work is poised at a delicate point - if people start being stupid and tinkering with stuff we've already done or asking stupid questions, then I won't make it. On the other hand, if I am left relatively alone for the next couple of days I should be alright.

Here's hoping to see you then..........

Think i passed you guys a couple of Wednesdays ago. I was going towards bardon hill and you were coming from kellams farm. There was about 5 of you and i was buy myself.

Theres a big group of us that go round beacon hill/bradgate/swithland every Thursday evening but i go quite a bit by myself round here ( i live on Hall Lane)so could do with someone to go with round here. I know some good routes but its on private land so have to be really stealth. Could do with some new routes.