Forum - Essex Herts MTB
http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/php/forum/

Chilterns and Ridgeway 15th or 22nd February
http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mountain-bike-away-days-events/chilterns-and-ridgeway-one-sunday-febuary-t6037.html		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  bugeye [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Chilterns and Ridgeway 15th or 22nd February
Time for this one again I think ;)

Previous thread.... http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mountain-bike-away-days-events/chilterns-and-ridgeway-sunday-30th-november-t5952.html

I haven't decided exactly when but thought I'd see who was interested.

Image


Aiming for approx 45/50 miles total depending on the conditions.



Some important stuff....

From the last time I think most of it should be ride-able.... It's mainly bridleway and tarmac ( very quiet B road and single lane stuff ) but there are a few sections that I'm pretty sure will be a foot deep in mud and need pushing through by now. There isn't much single track but the route was good to ride with a few challenging climbs ;)

It's not really a beginners ride due to the distance and climbing but there's nothing technical or difficult.

You REALLY need to be self sufficient.... to be able to deal with a puncture, weather, carry enough food and drink ( really important ) and to be happy to get yourself back to the car park if you have to bail.

I'm not aiming for a blistering pace but I'd like to keep it fairly constant.

Would be an early start... 8:00 at Ivinghoe Beacon to make the most of the day light.

So in summery start 8:00am ride away from carpark for about 4hrs... turnaround ride back :D

Just to add last time most of it was very ridable but some bit were rather hard going, I doubt it's changed much ;)

Meeting point - https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ivinghoe+Beacon+National+Trust+Car+Park,+Dunstable&hl=en&ll=51.833464,-0.604559&spn=0.004707,0.011362&sll=51.84527,-0.604763&sspn=0.037648,0.090895&oq=ivinghoe&hq=Ivinghoe+Beacon+National+Trust+Car+Park,&hnear=Dunstable,+Central+Bedfordshire,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17
Author:  Madasnibbor [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
I eat a lot Martin I'll need a bigger pack :)
Author:  harry48 [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Hopefully i won't be ill this time ,so count me in Martín.
Author:  stumpie [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
This is on my list for the year... But not until a little later in the year...
Author:  Scarper [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
OMG your freaking crazy guys, i went with them on the last one. I will be up for this one as well :wtf: depending which week end it is. Got a few other things already in the calendar for Feb. End of a dry week would be ggrrrreeaaat though :thumbup: Think you can book us a week of sunshine to dry it out Martin :?:
Author:  bugeye [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
One of these filled with biscuits was my solution to the bigger pack problem ;)

Image

Picking some decent weather is one of the reasons for leaving the exact date for a bit... when I say decent I really mean not actually raining :lolno:

Lots of vitamin C Harry.....
Author:  Madasnibbor [ Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Looks a bit strange Martin from the 90's
Monster and haribo it is :)
Author:  bugeye [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Hey :o It's not even remotely '90's'...

It's a bang up to date tri-sided storage system using a flexible construction material with a single sided access point. It's under gone extensive testing and development to ensure that it perfectly aligns with both the bike top and down tubes allowing the use of a propitiatory hook and loop mounting arrangement.

Rigorous in use post purchase verification has confirmed that it is ideal for keeping your biscuits in.

I can't really comment on it's suitability for storing Haribo though as I like to keep them in my pocket.

:geek:
Author:  Whytey [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
How do you get back though? Do you come back to the start point?

Suggestion: What about an all-dayer 123km Capital Ring loop around London start and finish in Stratford? Yes its longer but we can ride for 3-4hrs instead of driving back and forth. Easy to jump on the train should it get difficult along the way.

Maybe another time?
Author:  bugeye [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Whytey wrote:
How do you get back though?


Turn around at about 4 hrs in and ride back :D ;) Back tracking the way you've been seems ok on this route. I think it's because it's all about the climbs... so a climb on the way out is a decent on the way back folowed by a 'new' climb.

For me it's a bit of long term project and a winter fitness thing that I hope will pay off in the summer so the drive up there every couple of months doesn't worry me and tbh it's quicker for me than going to Swinley or similar.

Capital loop looks interesting for a summers day with plenty of pub stops :thumbup:
Author:  Whytey [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Lol. Pub stops and 123km ride dont go together but I like your enthusiasm ;-)

Ok, for the Ridgeway. I must make sure it does not clash with the Thames Path ride i have in mind. No date for that yet so i am flexible but i was hoping for end of Jan or Early Feb.
Author:  Simon [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Up for this one !, but will most likely have to book that weekend off work as will be working weekends in February
Author:  bugeye [ Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Remi... I'm sure we can organise it so they don't clash :D

Simon.... how much notice do you need to give to book the time off? The long range weather forecast shows 14 days so 2 weekends ahead, how accurate it is in February is anyone's guess though. I don't mind a bit of precipitation but a full day of rain could mean a last minute change of date :(
Author:  Whytey [ Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Dont worry about me, nothing is organised for TP so I am flexible. TP is always there. Whenever it suit others. Hard to tell in advance when it will be a good weekend the way the weather changes now.
Author:  Ciar [ Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chilterns and Ridgeway One Sunday in Febuary
Depends on date but I should be in for this,
Page 1 of 3 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/