Gonna make this a sticky for reasons that will become apparent

Having a had a look down the topics in the rides section and their content, I realised that there was a danger of the EHC becoming exactly what we set out to avoid - the EFMTBC. Whilst we may not be XC whippet, race orientated like they were (at the moment - things come in cycles, those days will return), if I was a beginner to mountain biking and looked through some of the topics there would be no way I'd be tempted out to ride - talk of Warley, Chickie, Danbury, Aston and (bear in mind I'm on about total beginners here) singletrack abound.

Someone starting out in the sport may well be just looking for a nice social group to get out with, get a few miles of fireroad in, get to learn their way around the forest and build up fitness and maybe have a pint afterwards. Singletrack is obviously the next step - but you have to learn to walk before you can run!

I've also recently been approached by 3 friends of mine looking to come out with us - all are concerned about the level of technicality. Now given 2 of them have never ridden signletrack and they would be on a Marin circa 1988 and a road bike with big tyres (no not a cyclo X bike - a road bike) my initial thought is that our normal rides would be too much - both for them and their bikes - at the moment (we all know how it goes - come out once, spend too much money on a new bike)

If you a beginner and new to this site, please don't be put off by all the talk of jumps, drops etc - register and post a thread. If you suggest a beginners ride I'm sure there will be someone ( + other beginners lurking??) who'd be willing to take you out. Who knows, they may even show you some nice easy singletrack to whet you're appetite

I'm going to arrange a ride with my friends in the coming weeks and I'll post it on here - most likely to be a Sunday afternoon, retiring to the pub to warm up in front of the fire as darkness descends.

If I was a beginner and didnt know anybody I would probably take one look at the name and move on tbh. Epping Hard cru you would hardly imagine a pootle along a fireroad. How about you being a fire road guide Giles, who knows I might be able to get Julia on her bike, haha no chance.

This is why i posted this a while back :-

www.tritoncycles.co.uk..._rides.php

Whenever i'm out on a ride no one gets left behind. I'll hold back if someones riding slower as at the end of the day i'm not out to train or get a new personal best.

Its all about getting out on the bike having a good time and meeting people.

I'd like to think i've brought a few people to our riding group and i'll try to bring more people in. But as mentioned before i think the name is pretty off putting to new and established riders alike, thats why i don't mention it on that page of the site.

For those of a nervous disposition - (possibly) coming soon to a world wide web near you - mtblondon.com

Giles' personal email address - check.
Giles' home address - check.
Giles' home phone number - check

Mate, hide your registration details!

Lukeee wrote:

But as mentioned before i think the name is pretty off putting to new and established riders alike, thats why i don't mention it on that page of the site.

it's not the ones we put off I'm worried about. it's the ones who aren't!

I have now been out with the EHC twice, the first time i had gone out, i did not know what to expect, however i did chat a little on this website first, and there were lots of very re-assuring posts, like come on down, we are a easy lot etc etc, so i chanced it. i was the slowest of all, by far (probably because i only had a bike for a week), but every one waited after they got to a point for me to catch up, there was one chap (svitney) kept coming back on the trail to make sure i was still there. the second time i went out with the EHC, Lukee kept back alot of the time, (cheers Luke), and i noticed ninja was every now and then doing a head count, to make sure we have not lost anyone. The routes we took were not a walk in the park, but not also very demanding on Skill (some parts are, but you can opt out an not do them, like jumps and near vertical drops etc etc), every one is easy about that, they all recommend that you are comfortable before attempting anything. like i said above i only had my bike for a week, but still went out riding. i think the bunch here are great, and very friendly. i had bought my bike, and really really keen to get out in Epping, the only way i could do this was to find a group, that were happy for me to ride along with them. It was only last Sunday i was meant to meet up, but last minute plans ment i did not get to epping till around 10:30, with a new chap, because i we did not know the forest well, we kept getting lost. so i would recommend anyone new to epping to join a group. Cheers guys and i look forwards to many more rides with you in the forest

No worries Pommy.

Good idea G

A mission statement in a redesigned homepage of the website with a few pics would sort this issue right out and make people forget he name pretty quick. "The is what EHC does (pics) everything from gentle pootles around the forest to Alps Trips... come ride" ... job done.

Agree on the site name / look and feel... If put me off posting for a while back in the day.

What is happening about the site?

The Sunday ride is a very social ride and alll the feedback Ive heard from the plethora of new people this summer has been that they have been mint. If people want more of a gentle ride then just post up and get one organised - as your doing. If the demand is there then they will soon take off. I think a lot of the people you are talking about might be part of that over 35 club thingy already however.

I agree this post is good, as i am like this i am new to MTB im 17 and i hate not knowing people to ride along with me that are willing to enjoy riding, also not having good single tracks in essex that i can easily get too as i dont drive as of yet, only place i can get too easiest is langdon hills but even that is a bit away from me and ive got bored of the same trail over and over again if someone knows better tracks in langdon please show me :D. Any suggest etc, love to hear them

Hey Archer if yer a bit shy on meeting new people you have no need to be. Its a great diverse bunch of people/friendly and at the end of the day its about riding a bike dont ever forget that. I dont know what you do and how much time you have but during the day I often have some spare time. I also have a spare cycle rack on my car roof so if you want a blast or a gentle pootle let me know, I may well be able to meet yer somewhere. If its epping you want to ride I will gladly show you around if it gives you a bit more confidence. Its about making that first step. Have you tried thorndon yet, I know that really well,it has some nice bits and not quite as hard as epping tbh. Good luck whatever you decide.

Hey thanks for that na only place i have rid is langdon havent got to try thorndon yet but looking to go there soon, i have quite alot of free time on my hands only problem is i havent had the chance to get helmet and body armor as of yet, proply get it in the january sales cheaper save me money i dont reli have once ive got the stuff i need il let you know and if the offer still on the table for showing me around i would love to ride thorndon thanks again