Epping Forest Epics

Jon · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Luton, Beds

All I can say about today was "Not another ******** hill!" was heard to be mentioned once or twice by either Mike, Pete but probably mainly myself.

Today I rememberd why I hated Aston Hill and the clue is in the name. After meeting in the car park we headed out on to the XC route which starts with a steep fast rooty descent, and they wouldnt let me wear my body armour.

What goes down will eventually go back up, and we seemed to be climbing for most of the way back to the car park, there was brief stop at the 4 cross area to watch young kids throw themselves down a steep hill with jumps and berms in the way.

From there back to the car park and by then the caravan had arrived for food, if you go to Aston Hill you have to go for food its an experience, I dont think she would last 5 mins at High Beech.

After a brief rest stop we then journeyed back onto the XC course and we were all a bit worried, nobody had a Camelbak or any spares, something I would regret half way round. My front caliper appeared to move and stopped the wheel moving freely. Hill climbing with extra resitance always a pleasure.

More of the same on the second lap but it was a better pace we remembered where the fast bits were and also the slow bits. Once back to the cars another trip to the tea hut was in order and she still was no better!

Next stop was the Wendover Forest route which is very much like Aston Hill but more geared to the general public, this time the ride was on a bridleway mainly but it was so upsetting to see bits of the forest that we weren't allowed to go and ride. The start of the ride is also the highest part of The Chiltern Hills. This loop is probably a lot quicker to complete just due to the nature of the ground.

Sorry there are no pictures but forgot to camera amongst other things.

Would also like to point out that I was flying the Hardtail flag at Aston Hill.

Would recommend it again, much how we did it Aston Hill in the morning for a couple of laps and then Wendover for a lap afterwards.

Aston Hill cost £5 for day membership per person and Wendover Forest is £2 to park the car all day.

_________________
Very soon you will see me back on a bike, bitching and moaning every time I see a hill.

smellyengine · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Chingford

Top report Jon, it was indeed a steep old boy. But if one good thing came out of it it's a reduced fear of the big mig at high beech! But one thing's for sure the tea hut is indeed an experience. "Babbling Betty" as christened by Jon was a joy to behold! She gave me to burgers and two eggs in my egg burger! But it did take three weeks. All in all a truly fitness geared climb, Caz I did whimp out and use first gear, but I think it was allowed!
As for Wendover, first impressions lead you to think bridleways aren't as fun after Aston, but no so! It turned out to be a great ride, to repeat Jon...highly frustrating to see endless paths to the left and right ..."no bikes" or "horses only". I'm sure even Bond himself wouldn't ride his horse down some of the trails! Oh and not forgetting the route back to the car park via somewhere else! We even got told off by an old grumper for using his road! "Can't go there". I'm pretty sure if we did we'd have been hunted down.
So yes, it was a good day out for all.
See you all tonight.
Pete