For this month’s ride away we visited Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre, which is a guaranteed smile-enducer. Going on a ride away is always exciting as it gives you the opportunity to ride terrain that you don’t usually experience, it also gives Longleat a welcome break from the battering it has taken this winter.
We congregated outside the Cheese & Grain, and left fairly promptly, beginning the 2-and-a-bit hour journey to Afan Forest. The first thing we noticed on the approach to the centre was the devastation a tree disease has brought to the area. Phytophthora Ramorum(The Foot and Mouth of the tree world) damages Larch trees, to the extent that they have to be destroyed so the disease doesn’t spread any further.
Everyone arrived safely and the usual pre ride faffing ensued, but in no time at all we were ready and headed off to the beginning of the trail. There are 3 trails that you can follow, at varying levels of difficulty and length. However they all start with the same, super steep, slog of a climb up to “Windy Point” where each trail goes it’s separate way.
Everyone reached the top fairly comfortably, with the only issue being Al’s amazing rotating bars which didn’t want to clamp properly, however this was easily rectified. We took a short break at the top before diving off down the Black run, which was made slightly more challenging by the presence of snow/ ice. The Black run is as technical as you want to make it, if you stay to the left it is a fairly tame trail with a few small drop offs. If you stay to the right though, there are larger drop offs but each have the option to go around them so everyone made it down unscathed.
There is then a short fire road section back to “Windy Point”, where we forked left and followed W2. It is an amazing trail that takes in some beautiful views, fast single track and even a few board walk sections. The North- Shore style sections struck fear into a few members of the group. It’s just a matter of making sure the rear wheel doesn’t cut the corners too tight, or you’re going backwards into the Welsh undergrowth!
We continued to fly down the remainder of the trail, taking the additional features that can be found at fairly regular intervals to liven the descent up further. Everyone made it to the bottom with big smiles on their faces. We then made a B line to the cafe for some home made tastiness. Mark and Ian couldn’t resist the call of the another slice of cake and chose to stay longer, whilst the rest of the group began round two. Will, Ben and Simon decided it was a good idea to ride down the steep, narrow, icy steps rather than walking down (like everyone else). I knew it wasn’t a clever thing to do, but they made it down in one piece (just).
The climb up to the trail head was just as painful as the first time and we regrouped at the top. We were following the Skyline trail this time, which is the longest trail. But we decided to cut out about 40km of pain and jumped straight to the final descent. To get to the start of the descent we had to follow a few miles of icy fire road, although this provided a nice opportunity to spin the legs off after all the climbing.
The Skyline Descent never disappoints, providing a challenging collection of features which give even the most seasoned rider something to think about. We gathered at the final stile and exchanged stories of icy near- misses before returning to the car park to pack the bikes away. After a quick change we went back to the cafe for more food. They offer a great selection of home cooked meals and cakes for us weary riders. Wales were playing Rugby so we took our opportunity for a traffic free return journey and headed home. Everyone enjoyed a full day of riding, which was made better by the fact there were no major mechanicals/ injuries.
Today was a good day, windy and overcast at first, still and sunny at the end, where did the wind go? It blew away, and so was everyone with the track we used for today’s Tickertape. Puppets was the track, with a twist, Punch met Judy and everyone lived happily ever after, all be it a little worn out and beaten, but that’s what happens when Punch meets Judy, people get a bit beaten up, ( however in this case – not with sausages? )
Beans !
Curtis Saunders, riding his Transition hard tail with 80mm front suspension had been practising coming into this round and absolutely schooled everyone in the art of G-narrr, taking the fastest time of the day, where does this boy get his energy from? Full commitment and throwing cranks in at every opportunity, a true racer.
Dean Evans, who has been impressing us with his progress, commitment and enthusiasm, was duly awarded this months beans trophy, kindly donated by Rose bikes. Other mentions go to Ollie Butler, Tom Dunford and Ben Lovell for good sportsmanship and riding.
Chris Marsland received a spot prize of Muc-Off kindly donated by Chris Smith for his welcoming attitude that makes Tickertape’s so special.
Boats and hoes ?
There was quite a ‘jam’ feel to today’s Tickertape, at one point there must have been about 35 – 40 people, people enjoying some of our other trails, people taking pictures and capturing comic crashes on videophones 😉 It was proper bonza mate and was well worth a didgeridoo to do. Well done to everyone and many thanks helping set up and pack away, its much appreciated.
Thank you also to Rose bikes and Chris Smith for the prizes.
Smithy speed
Same place, same time next month – 11am set up Sunday 19th February, and don’t forget Dig Day on Sunday 5th February from 10am.
Sam Chedgy managed to record some crash footage on (puts on Nelson Mandela voice) I phone, so prepare to cringe, laugh and go ‘eeeee’ ‘ahhhh’ ‘wooooo’ and maybe a bit of ‘woah buddy! ain’t nuttin but a peanut!’
January Ride-Away to the Quantocks… The Black Canon’s ‘Plan B’ ride featuring: Bigfoot, Babies’ heads, Brother-of-Chris Noble and Benatar.
“We’ll give her till ten past” was the decision made in the Cheese & Grain car park just prior to our departure for this month’s ride away to the Quantock Hills. At 8:09am Sharon pedalled into sight and by 8:10am we were all on our way. Phew.
During all the nervous foot-tapping and watch-glancing that preceded Sharon’s arrival, Ryan, after a great deal of deliberation (in a rather fetching ‘jim-jams and festival hat’ combo) finally settled on his tyre choice for the day and fitted them. Again. And then promptly changed them again in the car on the drive down.
The short journey to Holford was uneventful, save for the five lucky occupants of Geraint’s Fun Bus being treated to some of the finest pop hits of the 80’s, courtesy of Chas’ iPod and a compatible lead into the van’s ICE system. Contrary to popular opinion, he maintains that a little Pat Benatar turned up to 11 is the perfect hors d’oeuvre to a four-hour mountainbike ride.
By the preceding Saturday evening the ‘Plan B’ ride had evolved into a ‘Plan C’. Wary of the fact that many of those riding on Sunday would be new to the Quantock Hills it was thought best to include as many of the old favourites and highlights as possible, and to save most of the alternative ‘new’ bits for another visit.
11 Black Canons met with five Bigfeet in the Holford layby. The Bigfoot MBC were planning an excursion here anyway and, curious to see any alternatives to their usual routes, had asked a while ago if they could tag along on our ride.
The Quantocks’ trails always hold up well in the winter and didn’t fail to impress yet again. The first evil climb of the day was nailed by just a few and sent a stark warning to most of us as to just how… erm… ‘hilly’ these hills are. An Evil-O-Meter™ was then established with climbs graded on a one to ten scale: one being ‘evil but manageable’ and ten being ‘the purest of all evils’. Most climbs thereafter were between 8 and 10.
An entirely new descent was the first of the day. Starting fast and grassy, the Devil’s Galloping Path (real name) soon dissolves into a twisting carpet of loose rocks the size of babies’ heads covered in leaf litter. Add a smattering of roots to glance off and a fallen tree to limbo under and you have a great new addition to any Quantocks route. All riders made it safely to the bottom, most of them randomly pin-balling their way down with their eyes shut.
There then ensued the usual pattern of any Quantocks XC ride: climb/descend/climb/descend repeat until you can taste blood. Highlights of the day included: Weacombe Combe with its winding narrow singletrack; Smith’s Combe with its steepness, looseness and stream-crossings; the descent from Dead Woman’s Ditch with it’s rocky trench and narrow drop-offs; and Holford Combe with it’s numerous line choices. Even the climbs back up from those trails, though never easy, are always worth the effort. A small price to pay for fantastic, natural downhills.
En-route to the last descent of the day we passed a weary looking bunch who looked a lot like SPAM members. Their number appeared to include Mr Noble’s evil twin-brother sporting fluoro Oakley Jawbones. Our Chris would certainly never wear anything that garish.
Isn't that supposed to have SOME teeth, Geraint?
Given that we had 16 riders in our group, mishaps and mechanicals were thin on the ground: Geraint’s tired chain snapped under the vast amounts of brutal torque he generated grinding up a short-but-steep climb, and there were a couple of punctures to interrupt the sweet flow of Smith’s Combe. A few riders confessed to going sideways occasionally but no one had any spectacular offs (that they were prepared to share with the group, anyway).
In short, we enjoyed a day of spectacular weather, amazing scenery, brilliant trails and great company. 18 miles of off-road riding in 4 hours (and 3,000ft of climbing) might not seem very much but as ever with this jewel of the southwest, the Quantocks is all about quality, not quantity. Quantock quality.
…round of the Tickertape winter series. Points are getting close in the overall standings at the half way point with just 2 rounds to go, its all there to play for!
Last round saw the return from illness for Steve Geall popping up in third place, whilst Curtis and Chris battled it out fro 1st and 2nd, Chris pipping it, leaving them both tied on first place for the overall.
So get out your bike, give it a good once over clean/service, crack out the thermos, give your body armour a wash and get your mind, body and bike in line to give it some beans this Sunday 22nd January, timing from 12-3pm, help needed setting up and packing away much appreciated!
Having test-ridden *most* of the proposed new Quantocks route on Saturday, I’m very glad I did.
Unfortunately it emerges that some of the newly-discovered trails which were spectacular in late August, are proper-shonky in January and are definitely best left for re-visit in the Summer.
So… there will still be SOME new trails to ride on Sunday, but not as many as I’d have originally hoped. Sorry about that.
You can still expect about 4 hours of fine riding, a lot of climbing, a lot of descending, some pushing, great scenery, some big views, a few stream crossings and some rockiness.
Meet at 8am in the Cheese & Grain car park. All being well, we’ll aim to start the ride from the lay-by on the A39 just outside Holford at 9.30am (grid ref: ST158408). There are no facilities or shops on the Quantocks so please bring enough food, drink and spares for about a 4 hour ride. Please also ensure your bike is in good working order and have plenty of meat on your brake pads. And/or bring spare pads.
A couple of BCC members partook in a great new MTB event last May and it’s on again this year. Heaven Of The South is a charity event which we can’t recommend highly enough. It is a superb weekend of camping, fun, biking, scrumpy, music and food. In 2011 the event raised over £4000 for local charities and in 2012 they are aiming higher still because it’ll be bigger and better.
Those who rode there were staggered at just how good the mountainbiking was in the area. It is just *so* good that we begged the organisers (Edge MTB Club) to show us around for last June’s XC ride-away and they kindly agreed.
If you only do one MTB event this year, make sure it’s Heaven Of The South. You will not be disappointed!!!
“What’s On
Another change from 2011 – in 2012 we will be using the Village Hall for the Roller Racing and music. Even though the weather in 2011 was glorious, it was bitterly cold in the evening, so this year we’ll be inside. Scrumpy will be available everywhere and is compulsory.
Here’s a rough itinerary:
Friday:
Camping opens 3pm on Friday afternoon.
Registration open from 4pm-7pm.
Saturday:
Breakfasts available on site from 7ish am.
Registration open from 8-9am.
50 & 75km rides start at 9.30am.
Food available from 6pm.
Music for dancing / singing / listening to from 8pm.
Roller Racing at 9.30pm – oooh, now you’re interested…
Sunday:
Breakfasts from 8am ish.
Relaxing day (recovery day). Course will be marked out for you to revisit your favourite bits from Saturday.
Campsite closes at 1pm.”
Check out http://www.heavenofthesouth.co.uk/ for full details.
Here are the results from our December Tickertape with updated overall standings, its getting pretty close witha few people tying for positions at the half way mark
Report coming soon……(a bit late, I blame Christmas and the flu!)
January’s XC Ride Away on Sunday 15th will be to the Quantocks.
Bit of a difference though: there’s an awful lot of trails there which I can *almost* guarantee you won’t have ridden before. They’re not particularly bad at all, they just get overshadowed by all the old favourites.
Back in the summer I had the unenviable task of riding, filming, photographing, describing and grading all the cycleable Public Rights Of Way within the Quantock Hills AONB boundary. And got paid for it. “What a nightmare!”, I hear you cry, “How did you cope?”. Well, thanks for your concern. Somehow I got through it and nailed all 175km of the PRoW network.
I thought I already knew the Hills pretty well, but there are dozens of great trails that just don’t get the attention they deserve.
So. Let me introduce you to some new trails down there you may not know. Maybe in time they’ll even become old favourites too.
Meet at 8am in the Cheese & Grain car park. All being well, we’ll aim to start the ride from the lay-by on the A39 just outside Holford at 9.30am (grid ref: ST158408). There are no facilities or shops on the Quantocks so please bring enough food, drink and spares for about a 4 hour ride. It will also (obviously) be quite hilly.
UPDATE: I’ll be recce-ing the route on Sat 7th Jan. I’ve plotted it out and it’s bang-on 3omiles with 4,500ft of climbing :O0. Obviously, there’s loads of possibilities for bolt-ons or short-cuts. I will report back when I’ve seen if it’s viable. Or even enjoyable…
I hope everyone has had a happy Christmas, no doubt filled with too much food/ drink. Bike Polo will be on Wednesday as usual, which gives you the perfect opportunity to burn a few calories and have some fun before resuming the daily routines in the New Year.
For those who haven’t played before, details can be found here: Bike Polo activity page , It would be great to see some new faces.
