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Wednesday Evening Mountain Bike ride!

edited August 2010 in General
Want to improve your bike handling skills, improve your strength and power, and have a heap of hair raising fun in the process - then this could be for you.........read on.

With the weekly time trial coming to a rather wet conclusion this evening, I'm proposing to replace these horribly testing rides with something equally as testing - a 7pm Wednesday evening off-road night ride around the Greenways of Letchworth. If these rides were to begin from Ashwell they would be approx 23 miles in total. However, it would also be possible to begin the rides from Nortonbury, as the Greenways route goes straight through at this location - this option would be about 14 miles. For route details see http://www.greenway.org.uk/

Having now done the route a couple of times over the last week I can confirm that the trails and paths will remain rideable throughout the winter. That said, as the weather deteriates it will definitely become increasingly more difficult and a whole lot more FUN in the process. So; don't take my word for it, I'll be doing the route this coming Saturday morning (weather looks good), and it would be great if a few of you could join me. Anyone wishing to join in the fun and give it a go please meet at my place this Saturday at 09:30 - my gravel driveway is directly opposite 27 Backstreet ashwell - you'll see my bike propped up outside the house.

All takers will need; a sturdy mountain bike with off-road tyres, a helmet, a drink, and glasses would be advantageous. If you want to join me on the Wednesday night ride you will require a back light as there are some short road sections, and of course you will need a good front light!

C'mon!

Comments

  • After the tt being called off tonight due to small canals having formed on the course your timing is spot on Phil.

    Will try and join you if i can work out a way of getting a ride and pass to Mildenhall rally on the same day.

    btw you should go for a spin with the Baldock mtb boys on a Thurday evening. 7pm outside The Cock. Its just like an off road tt and one day i will be able to keep up with them! Usually about a 2 hour ride along the most wonderful tracks i never knew existed.

    Baggies or lycra?
  • Hi James,

    Lycra.....

    Probably didn't make it all that clear, but this Saturday's ride is a one off (for me at least) as I'll be switching to the Saturday meduim group rd ride from the 4th Sept. I thought that this Saturday would be an ideal opportunity to try the route out in the relative safety of day light before starting the barmy wednesday night rides.

    cheers All.
  • phil,
    will try to make it tomorrow but will give it a go on my cyclo cross bike. should be fun and dodgy.
    hope it won't be too muddy for me.

    Regards,

    Vincent
  • edited August 2010
    Vince,

    Cyclo cross bike - perfect.

    Everyone please note my driveway is actually opposite number 27 Backstreet; not 37 as originally stated (and now edited to reflect the correct number) - clearly they've swapped numbers since I last checked.

    Cheers folks.
  • The arrangements for this Wednesday's regular off-road mud fest are simple; meet on my driveway at 7pm and we'll depart at around 7:05pm - location details are above. For those that would prefer to set off from Nortonbury, the Ashwell contingent will arrive there at around 7:30pm.

    fyr - I would expect the ride duration to be no more than 2hrs for those leaving from Ashwell.

    Cheers everyone.
  • Only me this evening, and what a superb evening. The sun was shining (until about 8ish), the air was still, and the paths were clear and dry. The ride went smoothly and as predicted, it took a little under 2hrs.

    A word of caution though, some of the corners do need to be taken with care, otherwise they will have you off and eating dust. Then as the sun set the rabbit population exploded and they all appeared to want to commit harry carry under my front wheel. Still, it all added to the fun.

    Report in again next week.

    Cheers.
  • am intending on joining you, was caught up at work 'til god knows what time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! grrrrrrr
  • Just confirming all go for this week. The weather doesn't look the best, but as Shackleton once said "there's no such thing as bad weather simply inappropriate clothing".......
  • Should be there. Lights are charged and ready to dazzle!
  • Great stuff - see you there........Good news, the weather is slowly but surely becoming slightly more favourable.
  • Terrific ride last night. Just Mark and I, and once again we were blessed with an ideal evening, including a very picturesque and misty sunset over Hitchin.

    I appreciate its not everyone's "cup-of-tea" but it would be good to see a few more out - its a blast.....

    mc as discussed my email address is jo@adamsjp.freeserve.co.uk. cheers.
  • Apologies for not being there this week. I forgot it was a partners meeting so didnt get home until late. Next week is looking clear and i am going to be there!

    Did a 2 hour ride on Tuesday before pub night which consisted of Baldock, Quickswood, Wallington (across the top), Wallington Common (great nature reserve), Redhill, Sandon, Therfield, Royston Heath and woods, across the golf course over the A505, into Littlington then "Ashwell Street" back to The Three Tuns. A good route if you fancy something a bit more technical.
  • Hi James, I'm open to all ideas and routes, especially the more technical ones. The key reason for the Letchworth option is that I reckon it'll stay rider friendly all winter. Mark and I were also discussing the possibility of organising a Saturday afternoon off-road excursion to Chicksands perhaps in couple of weeks or so - watch this space.
  • I really fancy having a go at this. I live in Letchworth, a mile or so from Nortonbury. I'm really rusty but I'm hoping to get fit over the winter. I know the greenway fairly well and could easily get home if I'm left behind!
    A Wednesday night is ideal too.
  • Just confirming we're all go for tomorrow evenings ride.

    Nipper, be good to see you, I'll arrive at Nortonbury approx 07:30pm.

    cheers All.
  • I hope this becomes a regular evening over the darker months as its a good training loop.

    I rode it all through last winter with no problems.

    Can't make it for the next two Weds but hope to join you after that.

    Dominic
  • Will meet you at Nortonbury car park at 7.30 chaps
  • Terrific ride guys, hopefully do it all again next week - thanks.
  • This Wednesday is go, go, go........Usual arrangements; my house for 7pm and/or meet at Nortonbury for 07:30pm. Two laps?
  • Phil - just so you know - I've created a new discussion category 'Wednesday eve MTB' and made this discussion unsticky: I think this, like the summer Tues chain gangs, is great to have as a separate category - a good thing for the Club.
  • Hi Mark,

    Unfortunately, I will not be able to make this evening - sorry mate.....

    Phil.
  • For the second week running I'm afraid it'll be no show from me. Apologies.
  • Hi Mark,

    No problem - I'll do a gentle-ish road ride instead.

    Thanks
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