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Yep - not going to be a frosty one, but I'll settle for it not blowing a gale and horizontal rain for two hours like the last Wednesday night ride!
Should be OK - a nice couple of hours followed by a pint, just the job.
There's an organised ride in the Peaks on Sunday 23rd Feb led by the bloke I normally go on organised rides with. We can discuss later - but the ride takes in some lesser known, but really good stuff out of Hayfield. If you are up for going, I'll give you the details......
I will hopefully be there too. If I am not there at 7 dont hang around for me.
Currently arguing with an angry Russian woman on a TC at work.
If I am not there at bang on 7 leave me behind as it's looking like a long one.
Typing quietly**
Going to give it a miss guys. Still full of flu.
Danny I hope you get this
only just got in after taking 1 hour to drive to Whitwick from Loughborough. A closed for some reason.
was well up for it this week as well.
Sorry pal
Jez / scandal
No worries, got your earlier post about 7 on the dot, so we didn't loiter.
Just the two of us on a very slip-slidey set of trails. Did just over two hours with some fairly major sideways moments (especially in my case). And another bastard pinch flat for me into the bargain.
Got to Curzon, but shut 🙁
Don't know why, but there was a skip outside, so guessing some kind of referb.
Let's set the meet as 7pm next Wednesday in the car park of the rag n mop Whitwick.
Ok.
The meet is 7pm man within compass car park Whitwick, tomorrow evening.
Who's in?
I'll be there.
Hi Danny
Yet again I'm out, been collared into going out with the missus :x.
I must say though, the trails are utterly saturated around there at the moment so I would recommend something to sit on in the car 🙂
Hi Danny,
I am going to head to Cannock tonight so wont be joining you.
Sorry.
No worries fellas - thanks for letting me know.
Is anyone else going to be there tonight?
If no one is going, I don't fancy loading bike into car, getting changed into bike gear etc..........
I'll scour this thread when I get home at about 6pm - if no one has replied in the affirmative I'll bin this week as well.
If this leaves someone standing in a car park - sorry.
We probably need to come up with a better way of communicating 😕
Popped out for a very local ride this morning as our youngest kept us up most of the night due to the cold he has, which I am now getting. Anyhow, spent nearly three hours slithering around like a landed mackerel on the deck of a ship in Swithland wood and environs. Good fun, the highlight of which was a lovely result of my 'killing them with kindness' approach to grumpy walkers.
I arrived at the bottom of a naughty bit at the same time as an old bloke and his missus, who just had that 'self-appointed local magistrate' look about her. As he was about to open the gate I stepped in, opened it for him and held it open for the old battle axe with a cheery "there you go, I'm not really meant to be here, so after you". The look on her face was like watching someone's brain short circuit in slow motion. She tried to be uppity but polite at the same time, the combination of which was toe curlingly embarrassing and awkward. This was added to by my parting shot of "enjoy the rest of your walk". Mint.
Anyone up for Wednesday evening round this way?
Can only think of two words to say to people like that. Starts in F and ends on OFF!
Yet again im in flooded Dorchester next week so no bikies for me.
😆
Excellent, you can rest assured that it will have ruined her entire week.
I am going to make every effort possible to get over this Wednesday (Yes I know)
I am also up for the Peaks ride Danny so will have to discuss.
Ok.
The time: 7pm Wednesday (tomorrow) evening
The place: Woodhouse Eaves village car park
The theme: The bit in 'Predator' where Arnie covers himself in stinking mud to throw off the predator's infra red. Or standing behind a muck spreader, either is appropriate
The payback: Pint in the Curzon. Plus the company of the NWLRC for a couple of hours.
What's not to like?
🙄
Erm, I have been off work for 3 days with this ****ing Novovirus shit that I managed to get at a wedding at the weekend.
Needless to say you will not want me there.
I have had the shittest start to 2014 biking and illness wise.
I really hope at least a couple of you make it out.
Not good to hear that Scandal. I've had that a couple of times in the last five years. You can't beat a bit of uncontrollable vomiting and pissing rusty water out of your arse to make you want to stay indoors until May.
Anyone else going to make it? If you are, please post up here - I don't want to make a big effort to finish stuff at work, get changed, put the lights on the bike and waste a pair of contact lenses to arrive in an empty car park(!)
I am up for it if someone else is!
Not me I'm afraid, busy tonight and for the next couple of Wednesdays 🙁
Swithland woods is under water.
Swithland woods is under water.
Could be construed as 'fun' or 'character-building' though!
I would like to go out for a social ride this evening, but riding solo doesn't really appeal.
OK folks, looks like it's a non-starter (again) 🙁
I might nip out for a bit on my own later, but no group in tow(!)
I'd love to join in one night if you can put up with a fat, unfit 40 year old with a buggered knee and ankle
Danrandon,
You'll fit right in (at least with me). Some of the fitter ones amongst us mash around on singlespeeds - I suspect it is so they can still get a workout whilst they ride at my pace, but they are too polite to say so!
Anyway, keep an eye on this thread and I'm sure we can meet up at some point.
I actually made it out for an hour and a half this evening. Three times up and down a well-known local hill 😉
I have to say conditions at the top of said hill were not that hospitable, and I didn't linger.........
Still, better than sitting on the sofa fuming about work.
It's quite eerie riding a bike with n/w chainring and clutch mech at 20-30mph down a hill with a 20-30mph tailwind. Almost total silence other than a bit of wheezing from the fork.
So I guess we could say I kept the ride alive, but it's vital signs are fading. Come on folks, let's keep it up til we don't need lights at all!
Due to the utter shitfest on the trails near me I'm heading off to Cannock in the morning.
Going to be the 1st time iv'e been out in weeks so will be utterly leisurely.
Glad you got out Dan
Scandal42 May just see you there, Keep an eye out for a Whyte T-120 being ridden by a fat, unfit 40 year old with a buggered knee and ankle
I'm over at Cannock tomorrow as well with the wife in tow. I'll keep an eye out for you both 😀
sound almost like an unofficial meet up anyone else there?
I'll be indulging in the 'utter shitfest' around the local area tomorrow morning - can't really make Cannock, ride and back.
Enjoy yourselves - with the thousand other MTB riders who are likely to be there as well!
Remember a mile ridden in winter is worth two in the summer............
I think the key is to start fairly early. The forecast from 12 is looks a bit brutal.
Have a good ride chaps
Well cannock was not that bad mud wise. Some puddles as to be expected but overall fairly unmessy. Had a great ride. 2 laps of the dog and 1 of the monkey with coffee and cake inbetweeners.
Funny moment of the day: blowing my front tyre of the rim on the last rock of rock and rollers on my last lap of the day. Perfect timing for a flat with just a couple of hundred yards to push the bike to the car.
Lucky sod, everything round here is just a bog 🙁
Yes, I can confirm that the local trails are a bit moist. Ok with a bit of 'this is good exercise slogging up/along/through this track that takes a quarter of this effort in the summer' attitude, though.
It also keeps walkers to a minimum, so swings and roundabouts really. Cademan was fun yesterday, the wheels were rarely pointing in the same direction and some 'body english' was required to keep it rubber side down in places. Needless to say I felt on quite good form yesterday, if it had been an 'off' day I would now be complaining about the state of the place!
Anyway, look on the bright side, still light at 5-15pm now. Nearly summer again.......
Anyone up for Wednesday evening?
Any of you guys and girls ride at hicks lodge on Thursday night?
Not to my knowledge. We try to do each Wednesday evening alternating between my neck of the woods (Woodhouse eaves) and the ride's spiritual home (Whitwick).
We meet at 7pm and ride for 2 to 2.5 hours finishing with a pint.
Nothing super-serious, but not just tootling along lanes and field edges either (although these are a necessary evil as NW Leics is not exactly the Lake District!)
Generally speaking if there are two or more people interested, then a ride happens.
If you want to come along, then keep an eye on this thread and let us know.
Could anybody send me a gpx (email in profile) of any of the rides in the Whitwick area? I live in Derby and tend to ride in the day as I am retired.
I ride to Hicks Lodge and back sometimes often via Breedon and Rough Park and Repton Shrubs. I see Breedon is only ~4 miles from Grace Dieu area and probably bits to do in those woods round there but don't know where to go. Not been in the woods around GD, High Sharpely and Swithland in over 25 years and never on a bike so memory a bit hazy.
From posts above may need to leave it a few weeks for water levels to reduce. Thanks.
Dannyh, I'd love to join in one evening. Only problem is making it on time, I work over in long eaton and sometimes don't get out until 6:30 which is pushing it a little for time.
anyone riding tomorrow, if so where is the meeting place for this one.
Just started snowing in coalville.
Right then - can I please set the meet for tomorrow evening?
7pm Woodhouse Eaves Village car park.
If anyone is interested, I will be there!
Snow's just melted in Coalville!
P.S. The weather for tomorrow evening looks vile, but we can call it 'character-building' if necessary.
As above, if anyone wants to come, I will be there........
sounds daft but where in the village is the car park
It is on Main St. I assume you'll be coming from Coalville down from Beacon Hill towards the Bull's Head?
If so, turn right at the Bull's Head onto main street. Drive about 300 yards and it is on your left opposite the doctor's surgery. It's not tricky to find, so you'll be OK.
Cheers Danny, I'll be coming from Loughborough as I work in long eaton and will be coming straight from work. I'll see if i can get there in time.
I'm still working in Dorchester so can't make it again.
No worries Jez.
It looks like being a 'type two fun' ride, but hey there you go.
If you'll have a new, old MTBer, no gear and no idea, I'd like to join you.
Roll call for tonight, then.
At present I think it is me, danrandon and timba.
Meeting 7pm village car park woodhouse eaves.
Danrandon and timba, if you are not going to make it for whatever reason, please post up here before 5-30pm. If I don't hear otherwise I will be there at 7pm.
Anyone else interested in a ride that you can tell future generations about? You know, the time when we rode into rain and sleet so hard it made your face bleed?
Again, post up before 5-30pm if you are coming, please - I'd like to keep hanging around in a freezing car park to a minimum if poss.
Danny - major problems at home what with this bloody wind, i've got to go and batten down the hatches on several items which are now no longer attached to the house 🙁
was so looking forward to it as well. Barsteward weather
Last night's ride was just the two of us (timba and I).
Weather-wise it was one of those rides that errs more towards an 'experience' than a 'ride' as such, but it was still great to be out in the great outdoors for a couple of hours. Great to be breathing fresh air (granted, that fresh air was mostly barrelling past at about 70mph).
We only decided against one bit, where it didn't look all that much fun to be pedalling on what is normally a nice flowy descent.
Rounded off with a pint in the Curzon.
See you (hopefully) next week - Scandal, give me a shout about the Peaks ride on the 23rd if you want to come and we can sort out some travel arrangements.
Hats off to you Daniel - you a one hardy individual!
I think I have become a bit of a fair-weather rider - that would explain my lack of biking activity over the last few pathetic months. I will be much more up for a crisp, crunchy-ground type of ride - sorting the bike and all the shit that goes with it is not appealing at the mo.
Will be trying out Blaengarw this weekend as in S Wales anyway - hopefully go some way to getting my mojo back! 😳
Thanks for putting up with me Danny
At least the wind noise covered the sounds made by the big cat/axe murderer that lurk in dark woods.
Some statistics: 18.4 miles, a good evening and a pint
Really glad you boys made it out, great effort to keep it going chaps.
Apologies for the absence, I have been working away for the last 3 days.
Danny, Peaks all depends on me getting some miles under my belt before hand, obviously not been riding on a consistent basis recently and don't want to be holding things up on an organised ride.
timba - no 'putting up with' required - always good to get out and about on the bike with some company rather than shitting myself every time a branch moves in the woods on my own.
18.4 miles - are you sure about that? I think that may have been km or you might have left the satnav on for part of the drive home(!)
I suspect it was more in the region of 10-12 miles, but good fun nonetheless.
Scandal - you really don't need to worry too much about fitness. The bloke who guides the rides does two 'levels' of ride - 'Social' and 'Big'. The ride next Sunday is a 'social' - meaning that group solidarity and a social element is paramount.
The 'big' rides are ones where cracking on to get it all done is more prominent, but I've managed some of those OK. Mind you I did nearly die on one climbing up onto the Long Mynd ride five times.
You've got enough fitness to be fine on a social ride - so don't worry.
Excellent work on keeping this going fellas. Hopefully I'll get out again in the near future.
😳might have left the satnav on
Some statistics: 10 miles, a good evening and a decent pint
18.4 miles with my back wheel slippage, no grippage, (maybe) 😀
Right Dan, Im In
Just purchased some army surplus waterproof trousers as I am quite sure they will be needed on the day the way things are going.
I text you t'other week but not sure If I have the correct number, have you received anything from me? would be good to get a plan of action sorted.
Scandal.
Good man. I'll text you early in the week and well sort it. The ride starts in hayfield (which is a little further than Ladybower). We'll need to be on t'road by 8am latest, whatever permutation of driver / car we choose.
It's a great route we'll be riding. A lot of it is slightly off the well beaten track (some people think the dark peak is only Ladybower or Edale). There's a couple of really fun descents that not many people know much about.
OK then folks - Wednesday is approaching rapidly (at a rate of about one hour per hour in case anyone was wondering).
Against my temptation to set the meet for 600 yards from my house, shall we set the meet as:
7pm Man Within Compass car park Whitwick.
Look forward to seeing you there & then.
Roll call tomorrow lunch/afternoon please as I don't want to have to load the car up if no one else is bothering!
I'll let you know now, I am 100% out.
Belated Valentines meal with the missus 😐
Still on for Sunday though Dan
Hello all. After a weekend test ride I seem to have an almost fully functioning knee again so I will be out tomorrow.
Nice one Bob. See you there.
Scandal. I'll let Col know that you're coming on Sunday as well.
I haven't got any texts from you, and I don't have your number. If you put your house number on here, I know the street you live on! If I don't speak to you before then, I'll see you at your house at 7-45am on Sunday morning. If we're on the road by five to eight we should be there in plenty of time. The ride starts at 10am, but we don't want to be rushing.
Have a look at theedgecycleworks.com and click on shop rides, the details are there. You can also link to the route guide and photos from there.
Hopefully see some others tomorrow evening as well......
Still in Dorchester. Only 8 days left. Yippie.
I'll hopefully be there. Picked up a silly injury so I'll see how the commute goes, I'll confirm later
Without trawling though all your messages (sorry), what day & time do you guys usually ride?
Hi Frankers
Our weekly meet is 7pm every Wednesday, we alternate between Whitwick and Woodhouse Eves.
We also have the odd 'away day' or local ride at the weekend.
Scandal, I'm in for tonight bike is prepped and ready to go, getting the missus to drop me off.
any idea of the route we are taking?
I am not sure of the exact route Dan has in mind,
It may include the likes of the quarry / Bardon Hill / Blackbrook / Warren Hills etc.
I can't make tonight unfortunately.
I am not sure of the exact route Dan has in mind,It may include the likes of the quarry / Bardon Hill / Blackbrook / Warren Hills etc.
Me neither! Actually that's a bit of a lie - I have a pretty good idea where I'd like to go this evening - and it's not exactly Dartmoor, so no danger of getting too lost(!) It'll be the usual haunts, but I'm going to start with Cademan Wood as it has the best trails and I'd prefer to ride those whilst still fresh.
Scandal - sorry if you haven't read back up the page - stick you house number on here and I'll see you there at 7-45am on Sunday (assuming we don't communicate in any other way before then).
Oh yea 🙂
45
Just remember guys i'm old, fat, unfit and dragging a buggered knee and ankle but i'll do my best not to slow you down too much.
Definite for tonight. See you at 7
Well done to Bob, Dan, Timba (and me) for 'keeping the ride alive' (registered trademark) this evening.
A fun-filled couple of hours slipping and sliding around the riding hotspots of Whitwick. Rounded off with a really decent pint of hobgoblin in the Rag n Mop (at least for Bob and I). The trails were actually not quite as bad as I thought they might be, some water has soaked in (god knows how). I thought we might be in for some bits like where the Martin Sheen character in Apocalypse Now comes out of the water to kill Colonel Kurtz, but actually I'd say they were holding up pretty well. For now at least.
And just to reiterate, there are no worries about being at the back of the ride at all. I have been on plenty of rides where I have been that person who feels like they're holding things up. When I've then ridden with the same people again and mentioned it, they don't know what I'm on about. Riding is riding, it's better than sitting on the sofa and (as far as I am concerned anyway) we aren't some kind of 'devil take the hindmost' roadie chain gang who leave other riders to their own devices miles behind.
Roll on next week. Although things might conspire against me. But I will do my level best to make it on Wednesday evening.
Watch this space.
Good work lads.
Will try and get my lazy arse out next week - Swithland area?
Rascal.
Good to hear from you.
Yes, more than likely Swithy area. If you could guarantee your attendance then that will set the meet for there (if I get stitched up at work, you could then do the 'knowledge').
Danny, thanks for the ride last night (while it lasted for me), gutted i couldn't finish as I was really looking forward to it. The major stomach pain finished at around 3am this morning and finally managed to get a few hours sleep.
The woods were not as bad as i had thought they would be, they can get pretty darned boggy at times.
Hope to see you all next week without any pain. 😀
I should probably turn out for one of these rides at some point...
Maybe when it dries out a bit, as I can't be arsed dealing with 2 filthy rides a week.
Hey Gents, I would be interested in an early evening ride. I haven't ridden for a while. I have been suffering from lower back pain which is easing nicely, I'm itching to get back in the saddle.
Give me a nod when you decide a week day ride, I'll see if I can join you.
Cheers
Right - for this week I am going to get all complicated on you lot 🙁
Basically I cannot guarantee being able to make it out on Wednesday night. I would say I'm about 60:40 to be able to make it at the moment. Work is not my friend this week.
The best scenario (for me) is that we set the meet as 7pm in the Woodhouse Eaves village car park, but that someone else who knows the area well enough will be coming in case I can't make it - they could then lead. Rascal - I'm thinking of you here(!)
Can someone please post up if they would be willing to lead a ride from Woodhouse Eaves if I can't make it? If someone does, then we can set the meet as above.
Danny - I'll charge the lights up tonight for the first time in months.
I will be there providing A) I can get the stops sorted on new rear mech, and B) It's not pissing down.
I fore warn you I am badly unfit at the mo - I will be panting at the rear 😉
Seem to be a few newbies on the thread lately - the more the merrier though hopefully someone else knows the area too - if I get too destroyed early on I might shorten it or even bail - hopefully not though.
See you there.
Is there any chance of an earlier start? I work in Swad and live in Leicester, it would be good for me to go straight from work.
Lights? oh! Not sure if I can get anything for this week. I'll see if I can borrow some. I'll let you know tomorrow.
Cheers
Hi asbrooks.
We originally started with a 6-30pm meet, but this was too tight time-wise for most people, so 7pm was a far better option to accommodate the majority.
Hope you can still make it along at some point..........