Mick_the_Greek
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Riding Sat/Sun 14/15 AprilAfter good riding last weekend both days looking for a repeat this weekend. Will propably be a slow ride leaving bike shed (shop) at 10.00 am both days. Don't just think about it come on down, weather forecast is now for dry & warm so see all soon.
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Jools
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Count me in-a newbee, so glad it's a slow one!
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Mick_the_Greek
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Re JoolsCan assure you that you won't be the only one
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iang
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Been thinking of joining you guys for a ride around Epping for a while. Is there any parking at the bike shed?
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The BIG GT
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Hi Ian!
If, like me, you need to drive a fair distance to get to the ride, the best place to park will probably be near the Waterworks roundabout (A406/A104). If you head North on the A104 for about 300 yards and turn right into Chelmsford Road, turn right down the next right (Peel Road?) and head to the bottom, near the bend you'll find space to park.
From there, you can use the footpath next to the bus stop (on the corner) to access the underpass. The ride usually waits til about 10:10-10:15 to collect people here if you let them know in advance (by the Snaresbrook tunnel section, nearest to Sth Woodford).
I may see you there!
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iang
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Cheers for the information.
Will have a look this afternoon as to what my best option is. Think I may have to drive - though I am only coming up from Docklands the 9 mile each way ride is little more than I wan to do on top of riding in the forest.
So does the ride pass through the underpass on their way to the forest - if so it might be my best option to do that.
BIG GT - you going to be joining the ride here?
cheers, ian
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iang
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I am intending to come along tomorrow if that is ok. I am going to follow The Big GTs advice and wait at the underpass (feels a little dodgy but sure it will be ok).
So on you way through keep your eyes open for someone on a white cove stiffee looking a little loss. If there is any change in plan you can get me on my mobile 07939 155083.
Looking forward to it.
cheers, ian
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Jools
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Ian,
I'll be driving too so I think I will follow the instructions to meet in the underpass. I'm new to the ride too as well so will look out for you. My number is 07973 825 675.
Jools
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Cazza
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Hey there
Going to do the Heales Bike Trial from 1000 hours on Sunday, but will do a ride on to High Beech after. Might catch you on your way back, or even catch you up - yep I really am feeling that cocky!
Would be good to see some of the old faces. It's been too long.
xxx
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Dan the Man
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Hi folks i know its late in the day to be posting for a Sunday ride but just got back from my hols and have been given a green light for a ride.
I need to be back for 1.30pm LATEST! Therefore i am departing from Leytonstone at 9am and will be heading over to the Loughton & Theydon loops i found on Good Friday. Anyone fancy joining me i will be passing through the waterworks underpass for 9.15/20 with the aim of hitting high beach for 10 for a brew and cake before setting off to the new loops. Anyone fancy meeting me on the way let me know. I will check this thread before i leave - all comers welcome.
Dan
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Mick_the_Greek
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Re Ian & JoolsObiously we missed you this morning, Saturday. I hope that it hasn't put you off meeting up for a ride, in retrospect it is propably better to meet us from the start of the ride at the Bike Shed (Shop) in George lane South Woodford. Residents parking is not applicable on Sat or Sunday and spaces can be found to park. Sory I did not phone on the day, left the bit of paper with your numbers back at home. Hope to see you Sunday.
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The BIG GT
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I hope to catch you in the morning for Sunday's ride.
Will meet at the underpass (probably!). Will call if any change of plan.
Goodnight!!
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Jools
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Yes, sorry we missed you too. I will give it another go in two weeks' time. Enjoy the ride today.
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iang
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Mick
No worries about yesterday. Obviously not made it out today, may be around next weekend - will try and make a better go of it next time.
cheers, ian
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lefty
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Splendid to see you all on Sunday. Sorry for having to shoot off both Dan and I were under strict instructions to get back sharpish 
The forest really is a pleasure to ride at the mo.. . loving it 
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The BIG GT
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Sunday Review:
It was good to see a lot of people out on Sunday, including a few faces I have not seen for quite a while!
It was probably the most fluid group I've ever been out with! We started with 4 (Mick the G, Mick the Brick, Simon and myself) at 'the Shed' and met Jane at the underpass where another two guys tagged along for the first time and we were up to 7.
One of these had the oldest, heaviest and possibly cheapest full-suss bike I've seen anyone (over the age of 12) ride in the forest, a Univega (?) single pivot with Mozo forks that were chunkier than those on my Dad's 900cc Diversion!  He'd paid £13 for the frame (he had another that he'd paid £9 for!) and the whole build had set him back less than most of us would spend on a nice meal for two! But he didn't half have some power in his legs to get it anywhere other than downhill at a decent lick of speed! 
We nearly picked up a random Aussie at the pub just before Pole (sp?) Hill but the fact that he had no helmet or even really a proper bike (made my rigid commuter look like a Turner 5-Spot!) and had already ridden from Liverpool Street kept him out of the gang, Mick obviously not missing the chance to dish out his third card of the day, though! 
Within minutes we had the familiar sight of a Euro-style, race-garbed rider on a Spesh halfway up Pole Hill and there were Pete (for it was he!) & Cazza, on a Heales demo ride with Cazza foregoing her trusty Trek hartdtail for a rather sweet carbon Rush (up to 9!) until the top where we met another 2-3 recognised faces (but not by me so 'kinda' 11-12).
We split and were back to 7 for most of the outward ride until we lost the two new guys when they realised they were late for the missus's shopping trip (in the dog-house?!) so were back to 5.
Shortly after we lost Simon as he had to head home and we were 4 (again!). We stayed this way and it was pretty uneventful, apart from the brilliant, dry trails, until the tea hut. However, there was talk of Mick the Brick actually being out of breath at one stage (no, REALLY!!!) but I think it was a trick of the eye brought on by his missing front teeth from where he'd lost a fight with a JCB (hard as!) or some of the baked-dry dust thrown up by tyres on the trails getting in our eyes!
At the hut we then met up with Dan the Man and Lefty Jon for a chat and it was good to see no lasting ill-effects from Dan's nasty stack at Afan few weeks ago and Jon settling in to his new, Forest-bordering house. 6!! 
Pete and Cazza then rejoined us too and we had an 8-strong posse as we set off homeward. This lasted all of 3 minutes as Dan and Jon were under strict instructions from there respective better halves to be home and we were back to 6, again, as they sped off into the trees. 
Some more brilliant riding was to be had for the return, memorably interspersed by a gracefully funny (and thankfully painless  ) slo-mo endo by Cazza when attempting to drop slowly in-and-out of a dip between the fireroad and the singletrack! It was all I could do to brake and force myself not to land on top of her and her bike with me and mine and I tumbled instead to the side of her.
This was made funnier still by two guys who were behind us seeing it all, the second guy telling his mate in front "Go on, show her how it's done" before he promptly did a clumsier and more amusing version of her crash!  He looked rather sheepish as I looked backwards to see him picking himself out of the gully! 
We lost Pete & Cazza at the Pole Hill return point so we finished back at the underpass with 4, from where the Micks headed straight back to the Shed and Jane and I had a quick (read 'getting lost' ) Snaresbrook swoop before heading off in our respective homeward directions. So we ended with 2 (+2).
Altogether, a great day back in the Forest, with more non-Epics riders in the lower end of it than I have ever seen. There were bikes everywhere you looked but fortunately not so many as to ruin the ride for us.
I will probably be less than regular from now on as I've just moved out towards Slough but I hope to see you all again pretty soon,
Thanks again,
Gary
Summary for those who a) do not have time to read it all or b) lost the will to live about 2 paragraphs in...
--- Great ride guys, see you soon!! ---
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Emily
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Great write-up Gary.
There was no way I was leaving after 2 paragraphs!
Very enjoyable...
See ya!
Em
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Robo
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Hey guys (SATURDAY RIDE)
I think I passed you guys going up the "Dusty Path" towards the top of Lippits Hill on Saturday, think Mick was in front. I came past on a Specialized full Suss with Blue&White Tri&Run kit on, I said hello as I went passed.
Sorry I couldn't stop, I was doing some hill training and some loops around the same area, then had to ride over to Thornwood Common area to watch some Motocross.
Rob.
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