Black Canon Collective

Category: XC Ride Away

  • XC Ride Away – The Gap!

    Here are the details that everyone needs for the ride……

    The drive is about 2-2.5 hours, so we will car share as normal to keep things simple.

    The Gap Route – Brecon Beacons

    Distance 40km
    Total Ascent 1100m
    Time 5h +
    Meeting point Talybont-on-Usk
    Time 10am for a 10:30 start
    (Parking is on the main road it can be busy, especially if the weather is nice!)

    The ride is mainly on existing bridleways that cut through the Brecon Beacons. The highlight of the route is riding through the ‘Gap’ between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big at 599m

    A route map can be found here: http://www.ridethequantocks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/gap.pdf And a description can be found here:
    http://www.mtb-wales.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpage&pageid=31

    There is a café at about the halfway point, grid reference: SO055175
    (Bring something to eat just in case the cafe is not open)

    Notes:
    Unlike trail centres, the tracks were not designed with mountain bikers in mind, and have to be shared with other users. At some places on the route we will be many miles from civilisation, mobile phones can’t be relied upon. The highest point on the route is exposed to the full extremes of weather.

    • Ensure your bike is in good mechanical order
    • Always ride within your ability
    • Carry enough food and water for a full day
    • Carry your own tools and spares ( Bring at least 2 inner tubes )
    • Even if its sunny when you set off carry a waterproof and warm jersey
    • A personal survival bag or blanket is recommended
    • As is small backup light

    The ride is open to members and non-members alike, but please inform us if a non member is coming to we know detaits in advance.

    Any questions please let us know, we’re meeting 7.15am Cheese & Grain, Leaving 7.30

  • Damp shorts


    Last Sunday saw another successful Away-day to a firm BCC favourite, the Quantock Hills.

    The weather was frankly stunning with a slight chill to the breeze but bright sunshine – a perfect, clear, Spring day. There had been substantial rainfall overnight so the trails were all a little wet, but that did little to dampen our sprits. It only seemed to dampen our shorts.

    From our rendezvous at Triscombe Stone car park, ride-leader Chris immediately brought out the Big Guns with a decision for us to negotiate The Chimney via some very slippery, sinuous singletrack. The previous night’s precipitation had made it all a little dicey, but all riders successfully navigated the infamous steep, rocky trench with nothing more than the odd dab to spare our blushes.

    From there, a long fireroad haul up through Great Wood to another highlight of the Quantocks – Dead Woman’s Ditch* – another long, rock-strewn trench made more difficult by the rain. Yet another long haul upwards, this time up onto the exposed tops of the hills with their fine views over the Bristol Channel, and then another magnificent descent, this time down Somerton Combe complete with its optional 2ft drop-off halfway down. Here we had a bite to eat and engaged in some suitably heroic photography. One of the most evil climbs on the Quantocks then ensued to take us back to the top via Lady’s Edge* to Bicknoller Post. Another pause here while the majority of us stuffed lungs back in and heart-rates returned to something like normal. Then the long scenic route along the spine of the hills via the Ox Drove back to the car park at Triscombe Stone.

    A select few then opted to extend the ride by heading off for a second attempt at sampling The Chimney’s unique delights. In the car park at its bottom, all felt we’d made a better job of it that time. After a few minutes’ wait, two of our number failed to emerged from the woods and a three-man search-and-rescue party was duly despatched back up the hill (on foot) only to discover Al manfully fitting an emergency inner-tube to Marjory’s burped rear tubeless tyre.

    We’d lost a lot of height there, so to save the usual long uninspiring fireroad climb back up to the top a new ascent was recommended and investigated via St Johns Well. It was noted that this climb was steep in places and uphill in others…

    Back to the car park for tea and biscuits from Geraint’s catering wagon. It was agreed by unanimous decision that he can come again.

    Thanks to all who came, especially the drivers, and Chris with his inspirational ride-leading abilities.

    (* renamed “Dead Person’s Ditch” and “Person’s Edge” so as not to offend the delicate feminist sensibilities of our female contingent).

  • Tick Bite Prevention Week 2011

    Ray Mears leads Tick bite prevention week 2011

    Bushcraft and Survival expert Ray Mears has joined the fight against Lyme disease by lending his support to tick-borne disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK).

    Tick Bite Prevention Week, which runs from 11-17th April 2011, is an annual programme which helps promote awareness of tick-borne diseases and effective tick bite prevention for at-risk groups.

    http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/

    Great news!

    We’re going to be selling these by the end of the week (at cost price) so that you can safely remove any ticks that you do find… (£3 + p&p // normally £5 in the shops)

  • XC Ride Away – Sunday 13th March

    This month I’ll be leading a ride across the Quantock hills starting from Triscombe car park. To avoid parking issues we’ll aim to leave The Cheese and Grain car park Frome by 8am.

    As always you will need a good quality, well maintained bike with plenty of brake pad material, a helmet and suitable clothing (No Denim!!) and spares i.e. – spare tubes, power links etc. There is no bike shop or cafe on site!

    We will car pool as much as possible to keep costs down, can anyone who can drive and take bikes and passengers please let us know.

    Meet: Frome Cheese & Grain 07:45
    Distance: 14-18 miles (can add more if need be  )
    Climbing: Plenty!
    Time: 2.5 – 4hrs (I expect it to be more like 4hrs)

    These tails aren’t officially graded, I personally don’t think the trails I intend using are anymore technical than the trails we use around Longleat on our Tuesday night rides with the exception of ‘The Chimney’ which you wont have to ride if you’re not confident.

    Description

    The Quantock Hills are an area of wilderness and tranquility. Panoramic views lead you through coast, heath and combe. Explore and you will find rocky Jurassic coastline, exposed heathland summits, deep wooded combes, undulating farmland and attractive villages all within this protected landscape.

    The Quantock Hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which means that its distinctive character, natural beauty and cultural heritage are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them.

    Our ride will lead us in and out of various combs as we make our way across the hills so expect plenty of climbing and have a good meal the night before and a good breakfast the morning of our ride. We will reach the farthest point from our cars about lunchtime and wont be passing any shops so bring something to eat with you and plenty to drink.

    Whatever the weather forecast on the day you will need to wear something windproof as an outer layer and / or carry a waterproof, the weather can changer quickly and at this time of year there Will be a cold wind!

  • XC Ride Away – Swinley Forest – Sunday 13th Feb

    Image Credit: http://www.trailbase.blogspot.com/

    For February’s club ride we’re going to visit Swinley Forest, which is full of great single track that is guaranteed to make you smile all day long.

    We’re going to meet Sunday 13th February in Frome at the Cheese & Grain at 7.45am, aiming to leave 8am, that should get us there 9.30am, riding by 10am. We’ll ride for 3-4 hours in total. There is a café on site, however we won’t be in the area for the cafe until after the ride so please bring food and drink to eat whilst riding.

    As always you will need a good quality, well maintained bike with plenty of brake pad material, a helmet and suitable clothing and spares i.e. – extra spare tubes due to the type of terrain, power links etc. There is no bike shop on site.

    We will car pool as much as possible to keep costs down. If anyone would like to drive and take bikes and passengers, please let us know.

    There are no car parking charges, but each rider is required to purchase a day permit, which costs £2.00, these can be bought on line here .

    As always please let us know if you’re coming, and if you need anymore info, by using the club forum or by sending us an email.

    Cheers!

  • XC Night Ride Away

    After having to reschedule the away day to Brechfa for the last two months, we thought we’d not risk a third plan until the weather improved in the spring, so for this months ride away we stuck a little closer to home by popping over to Ashton Court for some fine Bristolian singletrack. To mix it up a bit though, we did it in the dark .

    After a rain filled drive across south Bristol, blindly following Pete who “knew where we were going”, we pitched up in a dark lane to thankfully dry, clear skys. Having put on all our warm kit, we heading into Ashton Court and picked up the trail. It was wet, and muddy, but filled with fun a laughs as only the madness of a group night ride can be. The mud in 50 Acre Wood was thick and sticky, making the going slow, so thoughts of two laps were soon but to one side since no-one was keen to to get stuck all over again.

    Back over the road in the far less sticky stuff, we convinced Pete to ignore his earlier bad luck (punctures when its 6inches deep in mud are just not funny) and we were soon enjoying the Bikefest course we’d loved back in the summer (and indeed in October). A couple of deer, and badger and an alien later, we found ourselves back at the “start”, so packed ourselves into cars and headed back toward home via the pub for a very well deserved pint.

    Thanks to the Bristol Trail Group for making such fun trails and apologies for taking so much of it home! We’ll be back, hopefully when its a bit drier.

    Next month we are off to …actually, that hasn’t been decided yet… well; keep an eye on the forum and join in the fun.

  • Mud, McDonalds's and the M5

    Wake up late
    Arrive late
    Get told off for tweeting on the loo
    Pack bikes in van
    Drive
    Warning lights
    Fry up
    Get told about some cool whoops
    Smut
    Fill up the coolant
    Get tricked into following a FAKE Al
    Get lost
    Arrive late
    Ride
    Moan about all the mud
    Laugh at Mark (MCC)
    Get told again about these whoops
    Yelp every time the trail gets narrow
    Moan about the lack of descents
    Ride some descents
    Giggle
    Ride the descents again
    Moan about the mud
    Get scared by a train
    Walk
    Justify walking
    Moan about the mud
    Feel scared by how excited people are about these whoops
    Ride the whoops
    People moan about the muddy whoops
    Wash bikes
    Get naked
    McDonalds
    Justify McDonalds
    M5
    Dispair
    M5
    Consider sleeping in van
    B Roads
    Home

    Cracking day out.

  • XC Ride Away – Brechfa 12th Dec

    After much discussion over a nice cold drink, we’ve decided we’ll travel to Brechfa to try our riding skills out on another of Welsh riding centres.

    It will mean another of Pete’s early Sunday 7am departure’s, as it is another 2.5hr drive.

    The Drop Off Cafe Double Decker Diner says it’s on site at weekends, however we should take food and drink for the day just in case it’s not.

    As always you will need a good quality, well maintained bike with plenty of brake pad material, a helmet and suitable clothing and spares i.e. – spare tubes, power links etc. There
    is no bike shop on site.

    We will car pool as much as possible to keep costs down, can anyone who can drive and take bikes and passengers please let us know.

    We plan on riding the following Red Graded Trail –

    Trail name: Gorlech
    Centre:Brechfa
    Distance:19km
    Climbing:1071m
    Time:1.5 – 3hrs

    Red Trail Grade (Difficult)

    Description

    Named after the river Gorlech, what this trail delivers in views and scenery it certainly backs up with terrain and excitement.
    Taking design and construction to new levels, the trail is a hard, fast, all weather surface which becomes more and more exciting as your skill level and speed progresses.
    Soon you’ll be railing the perfectly sculpted berms and huge switchbacks, jumping the step up jumps and tabletops and grinning all the way to the bottom of the exhilarating final descent.

    Calling a trail as a roller coaster ride is a knackered old cliché, but there’s no other way to describe the unique Gorlech ride. Every climb drops you into a madder, faster descent on the far side. The stone clad berms, kickers, tables and stump jumps just keep getting bigger and bigger every time in a mad mountain bike crescendo right up to the end. A truly unique skill and grin building experience!”

    More info to follow as the time gets closer, any questions please ask…. oh and here’s a short video to get you in the mood…

  • 5ive take on Cannock

    An early start from Frome for Steve, Marjory, Andrew, Pete and errrrrrr……. (Oh yes Kevin !) saw us start riding in earnest at 10.30 , following a slight hitch with one car ending up at the wrong visitor centre (who could have known there were 2 !?!?!?).

    Two laps of the very “red” Monkey trail and one of the “follow the dog” ensued whilst we all concentrated on taking the smoothest lines through the berms to avoid sliding off into the trees on the slippy surface – very little mud thankfully !

    Steve managed to find a previously unseen side exit from one of the boardwalks and under upside down under his bike a few feet below. A few minutes of bodging followed to re-fit his rear brake lever (common sense solutions supplied by Andrew).

    We stopped for a late lunch with lashings of Ginger beer (Lentil and Bacon soup actually) and a bit of a chin wag with Marjory ……………………..some time later we thought we should do one more lap of the “Dog” as the final rollers are sooooooo nice and set out to chase daylight for another “estimated 35 minutes” that turned into an hour and saw us back at the cars with very tired legs as darkness fell.

    A quick change and off to Birmingham for a very nice Balti with lashings of Lassi (sorry about the beer Kev)!

  • Peak Trip

    Every now and then we try and do a bit of a special club road trip, where we get away for an overnighter and make the most of a weekend. Some months back we’d hit the Peak and had a great time, so with winter approaching and knowing just how much fun the Peak isn’t in winter, we thought we’d head back before the winter months set in. We’d also heard good things of Rowan Sorrell’s work near Bacup at Lee and Cragg quarries, so a plan was hatched. A day at Lee/Cragg and a day in the Peak.

    We went to Leigh Quarry and rode over to Cragg Quarry too. It was raining but hey. Colin from White Nancies and Colin from Luton joined us. Steep climb to quarry. Slabs. Wet. Helicopter signs. Gravel, cloud, pushing. Cragg blast. Colin’s freehub. BMX track return. Playing in quarry. Colin on pump track. Singletrack back to cars.

    We stayed at a nice B&B and had a curry. Birds old stomping ground. Nice pub, proper beer. Alex from Nancies. Curry, ace curry. More beer. Police on walk back.

    We went for a ride in The Peak, from Hope. We had cake. Early start, frosty, sunshine, that road down alongside broken road. Roman Road, Hope Cross, Hagg Farm, Al bike broke. Ladybower, cafe stop. Climb, views, chats, friends. Mud. Sun. Wooping. Cafe and bike shop. Drive home.