Oh dear, I've turned into a wheezing wreck

[chris71]

Went out for a ride last night with a bloke from work.

He's exactly 20 years older than me (44 plays 24)

Couldn't keep up on the uphills and was only doing about the same on the downhills. To be fair he's a regular rider and does a lot of road stuff, plus he rides an ultra pimp £4000 Elsworth, but that's still just depressing

[Kermit power]

Don't worry about it! I've always been a wheezing wreck, and it doesn't stop me having fun on bikes!

I am, though, currently on a mission to make myself less of a wreck when I hit 40 than I was at 30!

[mat205125]

First proper ride of the year?

Don't worry about it. Keep dedicated and that will quickly pass, and as Kermit says, you don't have to be Olympic fit to have fun.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you need to go out and spend the equivilent of a good family car on a new bike to be a better rider either ... We'd all love a shiny piece of trail bling, but you need to be proper serious on riding to justify it other than being a nice piece of living room art 99% of the time.

[roop]

I know the feeling. I went out last weekend and did just over 50 miles of part on-road part trail/path stuff over two days with mates. There's bugger all their fancy bikes could do that I couldn't hack on my £300 Specialized apart from one thing - downhill. I just couldn't keep up on the rough stuff/cobbles as my eyeballs were vibrating in their sockets but the FS boys just sped off...!

First ride of the year and I was knacked but kept up just fine. Stick at it and you'll be fine...!

[Buzz word]

Where do you chaps find good loops to do? i have just pulled my bike out the shed in an effort to get a bit fitter without the need for the gym. Everytime i have been out so far i have had issues...

Big roads, people dont give me enough space and get upset that i dont ride in the kerb. i plain
just dont like the unsmooth surface close to the kerb. i get the feeling that your just running the gauntlet.

country roads, nutcase drivers! i know how i drive on the roads when im out for a blast so would rather keep them clear.

Footpaths, probably my favourite. But some chap last night decided to pick an arguement about me cycling on one. Aparently i was evil because i overtook him off the path cycling through 3" grass and slowly. i just ended up getting sarcastic, but learnt a lesson... i wont be stopping for any chats in future.

i just want to go out do a few miles and not have any hassle. i remember it being like this when i was 16 and alot more into my riding. maybe im asking the impossible. but i just cant see where i get to ride a bike.

[mat205125]

Hi Buzz.

Anywhere reasonably local you can sling the bike in the boot and scoot off too?

Forestry Commision have taken a liking to bikers.

River tow paths are easy exercise.

Any local parks that you can loop around.

We all know the law with paths, but I find that a smile and a wave whilst giving plenty of space does the trick to keep up pedestrian relations ... There'll always be some (Harry Enfield) old gits though.

[Kermit power]

Buzz word said:

Where do you chaps find good loops to do? i have just pulled my bike out the shed in an effort to get a bit fitter without the need for the gym. Everytime i have been out so far i have had issues...

Big roads, people dont give me enough space and get upset that i dont ride in the kerb. i plain
just dont like the unsmooth surface close to the kerb. i get the feeling that your just running the gauntlet.

country roads, nutcase drivers! i know how i drive on the roads when im out for a blast so would rather keep them clear.

Footpaths, probably my favourite. But some chap last night decided to pick an arguement about me cycling on one. Aparently i was evil because i overtook him off the path cycling through 3" grass and slowly. i just ended up getting sarcastic, but learnt a lesson... i wont be stopping for any chats in future.

i just want to go out do a few miles and not have any hassle. i remember it being like this when i was 16 and alot more into my riding. maybe im asking the impossible. but i just cant see where i get to ride a bike.

This is probably worthy of starting a new thread if you want to get a decent quantity of answers, but I'll give you a few more questions first!

Firstly, where exactly are you? more chance of other locals being able to suggest specific locations then.

Secondly, what kind of bike are you riding, and what kind of riding do you want to be doing?

I've got a road bike, but I only really use that for commuting to the office on the days I have to be there (13 miles each way, but almost all quiet suburban streets or cycle paths) and pootling into town on small shopping runs.

The work commute is helping me get fitter, but if I'm cycling on my own leisure time, then the road bike doesn't get a look in. I'll take the mountain bike every time.

If you have got, or decide to get a mountain bike, then grab an OS map of your nearest area of countryside and hunt out the bridleways. You are perfectly entitled to ride on these, so if you do get any hassle from pedestrians, they haven't got a leg to stand on*, and there won't be any cars to worry about either.

With regards to footpaths, however arsey the pedestrian got, he is, from a legal standpoint, in the right. Legally you can't ride on a footpath. It is, however, worth looking around, as some areas seem to have more of an issue with this than others. As examples close to me, I've had plenty of evil glares from dog walkers (who needless to say are happy for their hounds to crap everywhere) on footpaths on Epsom Common, but when I go down to the Surrey Hills near Dorking, despite the added effect of gravity making for much higher speeds down the hills, there is just no conflict at all. Bikers are considerate where it matters, and walkers seem happy to live and let live across the whole area.

*Although for the sake of "community relations" for yourself and other bikers, it's still worth being courteous, and not blatting past them at speed clipping them with your bars on the way!

[chris71]

Buzz word said:

Where do you chaps find good loops to do? i have just pulled my bike out the shed in an effort to get a bit fitter without the need for the gym. Everytime i have been out so far i have had issues...

Big roads, people dont give me enough space and get upset that i dont ride in the kerb. i plain
just dont like the unsmooth surface close to the kerb. i get the feeling that your just running the gauntlet.

country roads, nutcase drivers! i know how i drive on the roads when im out for a blast so would rather keep them clear.

Footpaths, probably my favourite. But some chap last night decided to pick an arguement about me cycling on one. Aparently i was evil because i overtook him off the path cycling through 3" grass and slowly. i just ended up getting sarcastic, but learnt a lesson... i wont be stopping for any chats in future.

i just want to go out do a few miles and not have any hassle. i remember it being like this when i was 16 and alot more into my riding. maybe im asking the impossible. but i just cant see where i get to ride a bike.

Buzz, I see you're in Essex too

Geographically? Well if I'm in a real hurry I do the asbo kid thing and play around on the bumps at Galleywood Common near Chelmsford. There's a palce called Langdon Hills (near Laindon, a suburb of Basildon) where I sometimes go after work which is actually pretty good and then there's the nice but rather flat trails in Fryerning Forrest. Give me a shout if you want to ride anywhere round there.....

Elsewhere in Essex you have Epping Forest, Thorndon (again near Basildon/Brentwood) and Thetford Forrest (that might be Norfolk actually - it's miles away for me)

For serious stuff, my advice is head west my son - to Wales.

[buzz word]

Yep, essex too
Galleywood hasn't been done for a little while that could well be worth a go, i think i could build that into a nice loop too. Where is the stuff in langdon hills? I know the golf club there but not much else. I havent even heard of Fryerning forest, where is that?

[chris71]

buzz word said:

Yep, essex too
Galleywood hasn't been done for a little while that could well be worth a go, i think i could build that into a nice loop too. Where is the stuff in langdon hills? I know the golf club there but not much else. I havent even heard of Fryerning forest, where is that?

Maybe there's some more stuff in Galleywood I'm not aware of, but I only tend to go down there as it's within easy cycling distance of home. My inner 15 year old quite enjoys arsing around on the jumps

Langdon Hills - it's a bit hard to describe as I've only been there by bike, but we start at tescos and head into the nature reserve, then up and over the main road (with the golf club on I think) the road seems to more or less run along the top of a ridge and there are various little trails running off it. Anyway, once over the road, we usually go across a field with a cricket square on it, down the otherside and make our way the to other end of the park where there are some steps up to a trig point. I know this is probably totally useless out of context, but it's the best I can do!! We're riding there tomorrow night - drop me a line if you're interested.

Fryerning woods are in between Brentwood and Chelmsford, near Ingatestone. Quite flat, but some nice XC trails and again a small jumps spot near the Viper (highly recommended pub!)

[Buzz word]

Thanks, i will give those areas a look. i managed to do 25 miles on saturday and i dont feel im ready to get on the saddle until the weekend again. My legs were loosing interest on any incline but im not sore or particularly worn out. Never had that before, i guess i will have to put in some more miles soon and teach them not to rebel.

[chris71]

Going out for a ride in Langdon Hills tonight, so I'll let you know if I find anything of interest. What terrain are you looking for - XC or somethign a little more interesting?

Having gone through the agro of packing my bike this morning (for a 'work' ride which has now dematerialised!) I'm gonna take it out, no matter how wet it's looking when I leave work!!

[Buzz word]

Yea mainly XC i suppose, i just want to build some fitness up at the moment and would preffer to do it offroad. Of course i am open to something a bit more interesting than just flat trails just so long as it gets me fit.
This is what i did at the weekend but it was pretty flat and boring...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=U

Its getting brighter now a little mud should be all you have to worry about.

[chris71]

Buzz word said:

Yea mainly XC i suppose, i just want to build some fitness up at the moment and would preffer to do it offroad. Of course i am open to something a bit more interesting than just flat trails just so long as it gets me fit.
This is what i did at the weekend but it was pretty flat and boring...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=U

Its getting brighter now a little mud should be all you have to worry about.

That's quite a decent ride! Slightly unconventional mix of road riding and dirt jumping though

Never seen the Widford jumps, whereabouts are they?

Found a set of jumps at Langdon last week, but we were in a hurry to get back and I can't for the life of me remember where they were. Do vaguely remember quite an entertaining downhill (from riding there last year, not last week) which I'm gonna try and seek out tonight.

[Buzz word]

Yea it was a bit of a mixed up ride, still that made it quite interesting.

The wideford jumps are pretty well hidden they are becide the golf course but the only way to them is via a footpath that runs from Butt's way in galleywood to the top of 3 mile hill road by the chineese there (by the church and jewsons). If you head from the Widford/ church end you follow the path over a big styl and across the train line. The path then runs becide the line for a bit under the trees. The field then opens out and there are a resonable set of jumps there that somone has built in the field. its not particulaly big in size there but probably worth a look if your round the area as its bigger stuff than the rest of the galleywood stuff. The path carrys on over a ditch/stream and round some field boundaries until you jump another style onto butt's way. Someone showed me that years ago i mainly went that way to see if they were still there. the sun seemed to have dried them out reasonably and still looked like people were caring for them.

by langdon do you mean off lower dunton road? i saw some wooded area in the distance driving that road earlier today and looked to run along a ridge. off old church road?

[chris71]

Buzz word said:

Yea it was a bit of a mixed up ride, still that made it quite interesting.

The wideford jumps are pretty well hidden they are becide the golf course but the only way to them is via a footpath that runs from Butt's way in galleywood to the top of 3 mile hill road by the chineese there (by the church and jewsons). If you head from the Widford/ church end you follow the path over a big styl and across the train line. The path then runs becide the line for a bit under the trees. The field then opens out and there are a resonable set of jumps there that somone has built in the field. its not particulaly big in size there but probably worth a look if your round the area as its bigger stuff than the rest of the galleywood stuff. The path carrys on over a ditch/stream and round some field boundaries until you jump another style onto butt's way. Someone showed me that years ago i mainly went that way to see if they were still there. the sun seemed to have dried them out reasonably and still looked like people were caring for them.

by langdon do you mean off lower dunton road? i saw some wooded area in the distance driving that road earlier today and looked to run along a ridge. off old church road?

Ahh! I think I've ridden those - are they near a railway line? Can't remember how I got to them, think it was something like down the road that runs from the Galleywood common crossroads (near the stables) down and then into a field on the right hand side, follow the field boundary and it's the next field round or something? Seem to remember they were quite good summer before last or something. If not, I may have found a new set of jumps for you

I can never remember which one is lower Dunton road!! Ok, I'll describe my route..... from the rear of tescos car park in Laindon, you go out the pedestrian entrance. About 100 yds on your left there is a footpath which takes you into the nature reserve. Follow the footpaths round there (bit difficult to describe at this point, it's roughly straight on-ish until you come to a junction with an old fashioned lamp post and then you go up the hill) until you come to a styl. At this point there are some short but rideable trails in virtually any direction. Straight ahead takes you up to the road that runs through Langdon Hills just down the road from a pub (on the opposite side of the road) which I can't remember the name of for the life of me!! This is next to the antennae mast and IIRC there a cricket square on the other side of the field. From here you carry on in roughly the same direction and there are a variety of routes that go down the other side of the valley. Of the stuff I've found so far theres nothing especially exciting and as a general rule you have to stick close to the top of the ridge for half decent ones.

Oh, if you go to the right hand side of the field (opposite corner to the pub) and follow the footpath along, keep an eye out on you right hand side and you come to a little freeride area tucked away after about 1/4 mile. Had good fun there t'other night. No proper jumps, but some nice gentle drops to make a numpty like me feel like they can actually land drop-offs properly

[Buzz word]

Excellent i will give that a look.

Those are the ones i mean, between the golf course and a railway line. one of the smaller jumps off to the side has a set of habdle bars sticking out from what looks like an old moped.

[chris71]

Buzz word said:

Excellent i will give that a look.

Those are the ones i mean, between the golf course and a railway line. one of the smaller jumps off to the side has a set of habdle bars sticking out from what looks like an old moped.

Haha, don't remember that, but strangely that way I found those jumps was by asking a passing asbo kid if there were any decent trails nearby!! He was wearing an MX helmet (which made me think he might know) despite the fact his screaming 250cc crosser appeared to have been swapped for a Honda Meldoy without his knowledge

[chris71]

PS Investigating Thorndon woods with someone who claims to know the area in, erm, 59 minutes (not that it's a slow weekend at work or anything)

Will let you know if there's anything worth riding there. Look's like it might be worth doing from the road. We'll see.....

Edit:

One of the best rides I've had in ages!

On the whole the terrain isn't especially interesting and none of it would be that good in isolation, but a group of us from work rode with a guy who knew the area and when you put all the sections together it was a really fun route. Despite being a circular route it seemed to be more down hill than up! There were no big hills, but it was very undulating - I actually enjoyed the climbs! Plenty of flowing singletrack, some fast gravel fireroads and very fast dirt roads. It wasn't the nicest weather last night, so there were very few dog walkers around too.

There are also a couple of fairly respectable jump spots down there.

We parked near Herongate cycles and headed off toward Warley/Brentwood I think. Get the impression we covered most of what was there, but it linked up really well and we never found ourself retracing our steps or anything.

Edited by chris71 on Thursday 10th May 11:46