Epping Forest Epics

lefty · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

I did mention it to those out on Sunday and I thought I would drop a line here as well. As im sure you are aware it is sometimes tricky to get out during the weekend so I am planning to do some night riding to keep the legs spinning. it might also make a few of those trails we all know and love seem a bit newer. Of course as the days lengthen it will be dusk / night riding but I quite fancy the challenge of the dark.

Anyone up for it? 8pm ish starts?

Cazza · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 70

Hi Jon

I'm getting a bit cocky now, having been out a fair few times since we bumped in to you at High Beech. Don't wanna speak to soon, but reckon the foot's not minding the hammering too much. Anyway the psychological benefits from riding far outweigh any pi*sy pain. Count me in for the night rides. I can't start till after I move work back to Waltham Forest, but as that's on 30 April, gives me a bit of time to improve fitness wise.

See you soon

Caz

hamster · Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 73 Location: waltham abbey

hi jon

good to meet you finally on sunday. where do/will you start these night rides from and how long do you expect to stay out? i'm currently doing a 'chase the daylight' ride from HB at 6.15 and getting enough light til about 8 but in many ways it's easier to start out later as 6.15 is pretty early on a work day.

cya soon

ham
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tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 157 Location: danbury

Hello Jon et al

despite me saying that it was too far for me to travel in on a weekday, I reckon a late start would reduce the rush hour problem.

I could ,therefore, make the odd late nightride. (wednesdays only).

btw caught a stinking cold which has moved to my chest and means I have had to pull out of the welsh night marathon this weekend Crying or Very sad

ttfn Paul
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it's all good in the wood!

lefty · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

Hi all,

I will be getting my night lights in the next week and then I am doing http://www.nightrider12.com/ so I will try and organize something after that. Based on where people are coming from we can agree on where and when. Living next to the forest I am fairly flexible.

Anyone else fancy it?

Simonc · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 64

Definitely up for night rides, need to give it a little while though to build up fitness/recover from injury.

Last couple of years I have done night rides directly form work so starting at south end of forest at 6/7pm. Happy to be flexible though.

Simon

smellyengine · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Chingford

Any excuse to spend some money on lights sounds good to me.....8pm gives me a chance to ride back from work too.

lefty · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

AWESOME... any other takers? Who's up for a ride next Wednesday at 8pm?

Things i tend to notice on night rides are

- I feel like im going fast even when im crawling along
- all the trails have a different character in the dark
- wow how much wildlife is there in the forest at night.. Ive seen loads more than during the day
- Its nice a n peaceful and quiet in the forest at night
- Its a little creepy in bits especially when u scare something big like a fox in the bushes.

New lights are up to speed and are fab.

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 157 Location: danbury

where do you meet for this night ride malarkey?
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it's all good in the wood!

lefty · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

Well.. I thought originally starting at the Bike Shop might be a good idea. However what that does mean is that you have to ride up to the woods then back down. Not everyone might be able to give up the 2+ hours to do this.

What I thought might be interesting is to meet at High Beech? and do routes out from there.. eg we could do an hours loop over to Loughton then and hours loop over towards Chingford. That means if you can only do an hour then you can shoot off half way through...

Parking seems easy up there and there are a wide variety of routes from the tea hut to keep it interesting.

This of course depends on people ability to get there.

Thoughts?

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 157 Location: danbury

not really happy about leaving my old banger at high beach in the summer evenings - someone might start a bonfire Shocked

we have parked at a pub by the reservoirs at the back of pole hill but I can't remember its name.

maybe Alaric will help.
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Simonc · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 64

We have also parked on Holly Drive before
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap...map.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

Bit nearer to the riding than that pub

smellyengine · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Chingford

Seeing as I live at the bottom of Kings head hill, I say Holly it is!

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 157 Location: danbury

I shall be there at 7.50 this wednesday then!
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it's all good in the wood!

lefty · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

Ok cool getting over there is a bit of a trek for me so do you chaps fancy all meeting at Holly drive and then making your way to the top of Pole Hill to meet me at say 8.10 at the obelisk?. Will save me having to road ride that bit further and then come all the way back.

Cheers