steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
Meet by the cafe veranda, right, overlooking the big field at 10:30 ready to ride.
Pines post code is NG21 9JL. That will get you to the entrance, then follow the road to the carpark. Your reg no is scanned, pay at the booths just before you leave, barriers scan your reg to let you out. £8 for all day parking.
There is a bike workshop, a bike shop, bike wash, cafe, toilets and plenty of car park space.
@myapes and I have been hard at work developing and discovering new trails so you don't have to!
If you can do the red trail at Pines and find it straightforward then what we have will give you a challenge. All are welcome, but please be sensible about your abilities; if you find some parts of the red trail a bit tricky, then this Rideout is not for you.
After discussion with the head ranger, he has shown us an area of the forest outside Sherwood Pines (on National Coal Board land) that he hopes one day to make an emtb trail. It is steeper and rougher than anything on the red trail. It is ungroomed and has brambles all over the place. This is so new that we haven't had the time (nor the inclination to be honest) to cut anything back other than fallen trees that were blocking the way. We also have not had the time to find any ways around any of the tricky bits, so if you don't like the look of them, then you will have to get off and push!
Once we'd plumbed the emtb area, we had to find a new way back into Pines. We got lost so you don't have to, but now we know the way. Just trust and follow. And have fun!
After that we will be off to the far end of the desert to the winding DH section, but again there by a different route avoiding all that deep sand. Then returning to the Pines area by yet another new route for some more riding.
@myapes and I, have shown bits of what we have planned to @j_s and @DaveDog. They both loved it and agreed that it is a stiffer test than the Pines red trail.
A concern is that we may lose some of you due to a failure to follow a simple rule "Look out for the guy behind". There are many sharp turns into bracken and the trails are hidden, there are multiple cross roads and the trails are not worn in yet, so the one you want could be any of them. Make sure the rider behind makes the turn.
Despite that simple rule, on previous rides we have lost members of the group and not found them again for a good 20-25 mins. (The record is losing half the group within five minutes of me explaining the rule).
Please trust me on this; if you get lost on the new areas, there is a good chance that you will have to find your own way back. Those who are not lost will have to decide how long to spend looking for you. So be nice to everyone you meet!
Expect 20 miles, lots of climbing. If you bring bare legs, expect to collect some scars. If it is warm and humid on the day, you may wish that you had used some insect repellent.
Helmet compulsory, specs advisable.
PS: We will not be doing Ashley's drop where @Ashley M tore his hamstring at both ends on the last Rideout. But only because we won't be passing it at the top.
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