Hmmm, how to introduce yourself without sounding a complete twat.
Oh well here goes.
Came across the link to EHC from those people at CRC, where I spend far too much money on upgrading worn out bits rather than splash out on a new bike. I’ve been reading the forum for a couple of weeks and decided to see if I can join in to find some riding buddies up at the forest weekday evenings and some weekends.
Been riding up there a couple of years now and tried to tag on to a few groups weekends or evenings, but they either lose me or I end up getting lost following riders down unrecognisable singletrack. Managed to get one of those Garmin things so at least I should be able to find my way back to the car now.

My bike is a self built hardtail that I’ve had for several years now, it’s nothing fancy as I’m still deciding what to spend my money on when it comes to buying a full susser. I have my eye on a couple of last seasons Specialized models or something like a Kona, but haven’t ridden either yet to see which one is for me. Being a short guy weighing only 130lbs the weight of the bike is an important issue for me and my current one comes in at about 30lbs so it’s not too hard work pushing it up those hills.

I like riding at any time, this includes those frosty winter mornings when the forest is empty as most others are still under a warm duvet. The only drawback is the smell of steamy horse shit as they seem to be up early as well. What do they feed those bloody things on to make it smell as bad as that?.

I’ve not ridden in any races and racing doesn’t appeal to me, I ride for the enjoyment now not the competition, those days are over for me due to a few leg and knee problems, and of course age creeping up on me.
That doesn’t mean I’m not prepared to still take risks, after all that’s what gets the adrenalin going and I guess it’s one of the reasons why most of us do this thing. I was as disappointed as most to find the Forest Rangers had dismantled those nice drop offs by Claypit Hill recently.
I like a hard days ride, I’ve done Afan Forest a several times and enjoyed it (apart from the climb for the wall). When I go I get there early to do the Penhydd trail in the morning and then after a late fry up for breakfast at the café I go over the other side of the valley to do the Wall.

I prefer: Baggies to Lycra, mbr to MBUK, real ale to Lager, and most of all Epping Forest to Weald Country Park.

Be good to meet a few of you guys up there to ride evenings.

Hi Mark,
Welcome onboard mate. I havent actually met anyone else in the flesh yet as have only discovered the site recently. I am keen on doing some mid week rides myself, the missus has just given me leave to have some evenings off, as long as it isnt Thursday, I still have to take the little one to piano on Thursdays.
Went out for a tikki tour this morning and cant believe how lost I got. Still cant find my bloody way around yet.
Look forward to riding with you soon.

Hi Gary, welcome to the Cru.

Am I to believe I'm no longer the old boy - I become a VETERAN category rider next year I do believe when i turn 40 (take note Giles the age range of the Cru is greater than you think!!). Make sure you come out on a ride soon - they (we) are a welcoming bunch and every ride has been fun. Most of us ride for the fun of it - only Matt is the genius rider - and the Cru can show you some of the best Epping has to offer.

Hopefully see you soon

If you are ‘about to turn 40’ then yup I guess you’re no longer the veteran. Don’t worry about it tho, it's true what they say life does indeed begin at 40, the past *cough* years have been so much fun. Nothing to prove, everything to do.

welcome gary - you're more thsn welcome to come along with us for a ride - as the rest of the Cru will tell you I have an uncanny knowledge of about 30 miles of singletrack in the forest - so I usually end up leading or at least directing the route.

your type of riding seems to fit in with the rest of us - we go out for a laugh, yes we may go and do a 20 miler, yes sometimes we may just go out and mess around on the drops and bombholes (as we did today - may later in the rides section), yes Matt races (and won today as well!) and we have actually entered the 12-24 team race in july - but i tihkn the mix and riders, bikes and abilities all adds to the mix and helps the group to work well.

We should be out midweek - probably tuesday or wednesday, usually 6.30 at High Beech which gives us a good 2 hours before darkness sets in at the moment and time for a pint afterwards.

Hope to meet you soon (as has happened in the past, we may have already met or passed in the froest b4)

Welcome to the EHC Gary, I've only been out for one ride so far as I've been quite busy at the weekends recently but the guys here are a great friendly bunch. The EHC don't have a garmin, they just have a 'gabber' who has a harddrive with memory map installed in his brain lol

welcome.... see u up the forest some time... keep checking the ride forum and come along - the more the merrier...

plus the forest is drying nicely and a pleasure to ride in spring.