With a small group made up of Graham, Jane, Martin, Elliott, Gentle John and myself the decision was to try the tow path heading north.

After half a mile on the icy and very slippery surface, which was getting worse the further north we went, coupled with the options of an early bath in the freezing river or a tangle of barbed wire if the inevitable crash happened it was a unanimous vote for an about turn and head south!

The same surface faced us here so the “single track” next to Mollison Avenue was taken as a safer option to get us down to Picketts Lock where we took the bumpy road past the incinerator to join the tow path and cross the river just past the bus garage. Here on Tottenham Marshes we had a choice of surfaces to get us to Stonebridge Lock only to find the intended tea stop at the café closed. From here the tow path was pretty well clear of ice.

We pushed on to Markfield Park and then Springfield Marina our second tea stop option, closed as well. Plan B a climb up Springfield Park to the café at the top. Hooray it’s open. Coffee, cake, soup, tuna rolls, and tea soon put lots of cheesy grins back on frozen faces.

Lunch over and a cheery wave goodbye to a small flock of high viz green parakeets squawking in the trees we headed back north to Ponders End. The icy surfaces were now thawing quite quickly so a much safer but damper trip saw us enjoying the return a little more stress free.

A fairly short ride but given the under tyre conditions quite enough for everyone and it blew away the cobwebs. Thankfully no mishaps apart from a small twig that managed to put my derailleur into my wheel and bend a spoke but no real harm done, thanks to XTR.

Home for a quick change and on up to the SH to join up with the Rads for a festive drink. Joined later by Ged, Teddy and Alex.

A great day in the cold with a great group followed by a great evening in the pub.

 Dave

If anyone has any pics, post up on forum and Ill include them here.

Steve, Site Admin

Dawn, Fiona, Ollie, Steve, Roy, Glenn, Ron, Paul K, Pat, Ben, Jermaine and Myself made it to the car park for the Swinley alternate ride.  After a few mechanicals, rear mechs and cog stuff we got going.

Although the roads are all pretty clear the forest still has a heap of snow in it and although a lot is very icy it gave pretty good grip and more importantly kept the bikes clean and free of mud.  The Michelin 6 quid mud tyres worked wonders in the snow.

Ben on his Trek jump bike in the snow of Epping Forest

We headed out of the car park and down through The Graveyard where on arrival we found we had already lost Dawn to an extremely nasty bout of SMS.

Meeting at High Beech Epping Forest

We rode a load of the usual trails in the lower forest, picked up Tommy and a new rider Martin at High Beech.  A few more problems, this time with Tommy's single speed chain.  A quick play with the links and it was sorted.

Some bike fixing at High Beech

We headed out towards Old Orleans and then back through Deershelter and out to Goldings Hill before returning for a quick cuppa at Bradley’s where we were also joined by Omar.The run down Lippet’s, which was hard packed with snow and ice, saw the days best crash action with yours truly getting caught in the rut on the fast downhill and high-sided over the bars. It hurt at the time and still does! Paul K, who was a few places behind me, wasn’t to be outdone and also went down quite hard at the top of the same section.

Glenn taking it easy and Ben riding out of the "W" bomb hole.

We returned to the car park without further incident via Pat’s Path and headed for the Station House for a pint or two of pain killer where we were joined by Dave, Jane, Wendy, Simon & Ged.

Didnt get a pic of the station house, but here is one from the archive.  Dawn, rolla poluza stylee.

Dawn in the Station House

Miles

Battling the Artic winds that threatened to knock us from our steeds, 
Helen and I bravely made our way across the car park towards Pole 
Hill, in a vain attempt to shake the cold from our bones.

We managed a steady climb, past the golf course, stopping briefly on 
the bend to wipe our noses, then turned into the forest.  The ground 
beneath our wheels was wonderfully crunchy and with joy in our hearts, 
we continued our journey, Christmas cheer and the promise of a 
cappuccino and the end of our pilgrimage filling the air.

A robin cocked his head as we passed by we were both filled with 
immense humbleness at the raw beauty that nature holds.

And then it all went wrong.  I got cold, Helen got the hump and it 
turned into the shortest ride in history.

We didn't even have a mince pie.

But we did have a lovely cuppa.

And a nice chat.

I think she's forgiven me...

Madge

This section is all about those "getting out rides" the ones when someone posts on the forum and just go.  Could be Epping, could be Chicksands, could be Wales for the day.  Could be food, could be whatever.  You'll find it here.

So if you don't ride Saturday, have a rest on Sunday and chill Wednesday, when do you ride?  Whenever we fancy it.

Lights, camera, action.  Got night lights? if so, jump on the train and join in on our night rides.

As well as the Saturday rides there is a regular 7pm Wednesday evening Night Ride which provides a whole new level of challenge for those that attend. The forest can provide enough hazards in daylight so good lights are an absolute must on all but the longest of summer days. These rides tend to last for around 2 hours and due to the smaller group are a bit more non-stop than the weekend rides so be prepared. The atmosphere of the forest on a dark night is very special and often provides some real thrills and a sight of some of the forests more nocturnal animals.

If you can't get along for the spin, how about joining us for a drink at our de-brief around 9-15pm in the Station House Pub.