Epping Forest Epics

Mick_the_Greek · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 297 Location: South Woodford

Riding Sat/Sun leaving Bike Shed 10.00 am, all being O.K.
For those of you who might still be undecided you should try beastway on wednesday nights, as stated I will be doing as many of the rides as possible, last nights was completly different from previous in that it was dry, hot, and a faster course.Owing to my slightly ageing frame found it quite hard racing against people half my age, but found propably due to all the riding in the forest that on the faster downhills could barrel my way past some of the younger and more trepid riders. Unfortunatly this caused my downfall, for on the 2nd lap, gave it all on a downhill section getting rid of all the frustration of being passed ealier then held up by the same riders going downhill, came to the bend, back just slid out, held it in a long and impresive grass slide under the course ribbon then finally ending in a heap in front of three course officials who very politely asked if I was O.K. Trying to hide my pain and recover myself I then watched in disgust as all the people I passed and a few more where now in front of me on the course, jumping back in the saddle to eagerly only manged to fall of thirty yards further on having not really sorted out the gears from the fall. After this episode decided to just settle down and try to complete the ride without further incident. On the way round to the finnish it was quite obvious that a few other people had overcooked it aswell. On reflection feel may have been running with to high tyre pressures, the ground was soft in some places, any ideas? Just to say I will be there next week.

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

hi Mick

Agree last nights course was a lot better than the previous - it really flowed and didn't have all those zig-zags up the hill. In a way I think that made it harder cos like you say the temptation was to really go for it and loads looked whacked by the end (me included). By lap 3 I had the additional problem of my handlebars coming loose!! I spent the rest of the time wrestling to keep them level so my brake levers weren't pointing skywards!!

See you next week (with hopefully a few more from the Epics)

Ham
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that humerus still ain't humorous

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

Good stuff lads, I was thinking of you whilst making my way back from smelly camden...Two stacks in one race? Sounds like you are now gunning it Beastway style good and proper! As for the pressures, I tend to run quite high to prevent pinching and tweak the shocks to keep the tyres in good contact...shock pressures/settings? Failing that it could've been anything really!
See you at the weekend.
Pete

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 145 Location: danbury

shame I missed last night - did a local loop instead to be back for footy.

will deffo be there next week.

proper night ride tonight Very Happy

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it's all good in the wood!

Beefy · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Surbiton, Surrey

I've got itchy feet to do some pedaling so I'll come along for the Saturday ride - looking forward to it.

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

Dunno whats happening yet...might go for a townie road ride.....but hopefully catch you all at some point.

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 145 Location: danbury

glad I chose the Saturday ride!
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it's all good in the wood!