Building on last months drinks evening, here's the next one!  This time we are meeting at The Red Lion Godalming on Friday, 10th Feb from 8pm onwards.  We had a good turnout last time, 8 of us I think (or was that 16...), and it would be nice to see a few new faces along as well.  Hope to see you there.

Bespoked Bristol 2012 23rd - 25th March.

 Has anyone used the STRAVA website do download their rides from a Garmin or other GPS device? I find it far better than Garmin Connect with some useful training functions. There is a Clubs section but note that VCGH is not named and thought it might be good to register it as it could give local riders a contact. I would be interested to know what others think. In particular there is a "segments" facility which allows you to pick a hill or other part of your ride and it shows you and others the times other riders have done over that section. 

For those of you who walk/ride around Hankley Common, you might like to know that the MoD wants to close the main car park and re-locate it further down the road towards Elstead. Jules mention this on Sunday's ride and there's a thread on another forum with a link to an on-line petition. Whilst there's no obvious threat to access, at the moment, it might be worth signing just to make a point.

FWIW, according to this website we are affiliated to the above.  But not according to their website which lists affiliated Clubs and we are not mentioned.

Probalby doesn't matter unless we are paying them anything for it?

Yes I know - it's a quiet day....

Hi all

Another stolen bike, Woodbridge Hill area of Guildford

My partners little brother had his new Kona Cinder Cone stolen on  Friday. the bike was stolen from the entrance to his flat, the bike had been double locked to a wall anchor.

I know its a long shot trying to get it back, PM me if you think you can help

this is what it looks like

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/cinder-cone-2011-mountain-bike-...

I check the club forum regularly but there seems to be practically no activity anymore. Fewer rides seem to be posted up in lieu of emails, road rides seem rarely to make it to the forum, even the recent newsletter with articles and info on club kit hasn't made it on here.

 Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am interested in doing a report on the Olympic Road Race Route, in particular looking at the state of the road surface. I have seen a lot of information about the surface being rather bumpy! I was hoping someone from your cycling club may have cycled the route and would be able to talk to me about it. Have you heard of many complaints about the route?

If you could contact me to discuss this I would appreciate it.

Kind Regards

Hi all

I am coming down to london for work and are looking for ppl i can tag along with on MTB rides during the week on a evening/night. 

I have been riding MTBs for a while where i live in yorkshire and am good for about 15 miles.Am starting work in the centre of london and want to keep my fitness up and are looking for ppl i can hook up with so i can carry on doing what i love, MTB riding.

interesting idea:

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/3508

 Greg said he hadn't seen this today so, just in case anyone else missed it, here's Danny Hart's stunning World Championship winning run from Champery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqYgAX6D43Q&feature=autoshare

And Cavendish just won the Worlds road race too with (almost) as much style :o)

L

Fancy a high-value bike, but can't afford it? Then lease it! Bike Leasing Company - they do MTB, road and triathlon bikes.

P.S. I have no connection with the company, just thought it was an interesting concept!

Everyone been on holiday? I feel like I've been posting to myself quite a bit lately. Also with us not having that many ride leaders, of the last two rides I've led there've been no club members or regulars out - is there something about my rides putting regulars off (apart from my company :-p )?!

Blatantly cross posted from elsewhere:

I've ridden Swinley a few times recently and starting to get the hang of at least a basic 2hr loop on the most well known trails. I know a few people say they can never find the single track there so I thought this disovery might be useful..

http://www.openstreetmap.org/

Go to Swinley and when you zoom in far enough a lot of the main trails and single track are marked, even with their names! corkscrew, stickler, seagull, tank traps, jump gulley, deerstalker, labrynth etc

Please read and circulate widely message below from Hampshire Police. Thanks.

looking at a map we normally stay on the ridge or to the south of the northdowns but there appear to be some routes to the north around Effingham forest, the Sheepleas, Effingham common, Bookham common and Norbury Park, has anyone ridden this/these area(s) or suggest any good routes? A lot of it looks like it needs road sections to link it up but i've read that it's possible off road, just wondered if anyone knows a good route?

Then this might be of interest:

Bike thefts information
If you live near Farnorough and have had your bike stolen within the past year, your luck may be about to change. We've been asked to pass the following on:
I am investigating a series of mountain bike thefts from around the Farnborough area, which has resulted in us arresting three people and recovering approx 60 frames. I am now in the process of identifying them. Many have been reported to Hampshire Police, and these are currently being identified by their lawful owners.

 I'm currently working on a brand new series for SKY1 HD all about gadgets and technology and we are looking for women that might want to help us test some of the latest biking technology. More specifically we're interested in hearing from women who aren't that advanced yet (because we need them to be impressed with the tech!).

bikes stolen from Thursley