Ubley Drove - Offroad Days 09/05/09, 27/06/09, 10/10/09, 14/11/09

[Sharribee]

Not sure about May, will have to see how my leg is but June count me and Jay in please

[Paul-S]

I'd be wanting to make some of the dates

[DaveS]

There is a bunkhouse about 3/4 mile away from the field that cavers use.
They seem to accept bookings from anyone.... so last time we were too late.
So anyone want to stay over suggest you get it sorted more quickly!


http://www.caver.plus.com/MCG/

http://mendipcavinggroup.org.uk/sect...ilability.html

Ok because I'm very nice to you all I have contacted the bunk house.
You are all very welcome to stay at the bunkhouse.

I have ascertained that this bunkhouse has great facilities:
Showers
Drying room
Kit room to wash down dirty kit
Open fire

I had the following reply back from the contact there:

All sorts of groups use the cottage, not just cavers - walkers, cyclists, clmbers - so thats no problem. If you've not found it, the cottage booking sheet is online on the club website

http://www.mendipcavinggroup.org.uk/...ilability.html

so anytime its not booked already its available

I've attached the general info sheet, please get back to me if you'd like to book. We ask for a £20 deposit for the key, you can pay when you leave for however many bednights you use.

The attachment has lots of contact and personal info so not uploaded here some info from it....

ACCOMMODATION: Upstairs there are 30 bunks, arranged in three rooms for 16, 8 and 6 persons. The 6- and 8-bunk rooms are reserved for use by MCG members. Downstairs is the kitchen (gas cooking, microwave, refrigerator, utensils, crockery and cutlery), reached through a large lounge with open fireplace. A payphone, utility storeroom, two flush toilets, and substantial changing and washing/showering facilities are also provided. Electric immersion heaters ensure hot water for the kitchen and washing/showering with a boost facility if heavy use of the showers is expected. Off peak electric storage heaters provide background heating. Battery charging racks are available for use by all, but access to the tackle store and library is normally restricted to Full Members only. There is a hosing down area and a drying shed for caving gear. Parking is available on site for about 8 vehicles - further off-road parking is available adjacent to the site.



User’s responsibilities. Nordrach Cottage is the MCG’s major financial asset. Everyone is asked to help keep it in good condition. It is expected that the cottage will be kept clean and tidy, and that consideration will be shown to other users. The MCG committee reserves the right to refuse access to Nordrach Cottage by any persons who are unable to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
 ON FIRST ENTERING the cottage, select your bunk and write your name on the daily cottage booking sheets which are kept on the lectern in the lounge.
 ON LEAVING the cottage, even for a short period, lock all outside doors, close all windows, and turn off the gas supply at the kitchen stopcock.
Payment of fees. Cottage fees are payable per night, £2.00 for members (unless you have purchased a reduced rate voucher), and £4.00 for guests (how to pay may vary; please follow instructions as supplied).

[phil w]

Well done Dave Roll on May

[Whealie]

Can't make November but will try for the others

[Jem]

Mmm this looks interesting,
I haven't done any off road yet and would like to so am wondering about this.
It sounds like there's no instructing, just the space to try it out.
How about tyres though? I've just asked my local bike shop to get some Anakees in for me, so they're on their way and now I'm wondering if I should have got something more off roadish.
Any thoughts people?
Cheers

[phil w]

Mmm this looks interesting,
I haven't done any off road yet and would like to so am wondering about this.
It sounds like there's no instructing, just the space to try it out.
How about tyres though? I've just asked my local bike shop to get some Anakees in for me, so they're on their way and now I'm wondering if I should have got something more off roadish.
Any thoughts people?
Cheers

Heavier bikes need TKCs style I rekon

[Jem]

Heavier bikes need TKCs style I rekon

So how's it generally done then, do people have a spare set of off road tyres they put on for the odd off road outing
or does everyone who does any off road just have nobblies that aren't brilliant for tarmac?
I just ask as I spent weeks looking and deciding what tyres to get as I knew I'd like to do some off road at some point but most of it would be on road. In the end my tread was getting so low I just had to get something and anakees made sense..

[Whealie]

Jem,
If I am going come along and have a ride on the zebra.

The tyres you need will depend on the weather recently. If has been bone dry your can ride round on Anakees.

The thing about off-roading is it is tiring, so three people could easily share one bike. The bike would be very busy but we'd all get a rest.

The zebra was bought for £550 and is hand painted so if anyone drops it (and before someone else comes along and poiunts this out, I do), who cares, I glue it back together and repaint it. I have spent some money on a decent rear shock though, so it could be lowered if you have shorter legs than me.

If the groudn is then dry, you can always try out your own bike.

[phil w]

I see plenty of people riding TKCs well on the road. Admittedly I dont see the point in using them if your not going to off road at all, unlike some of the "I want to look like I ride off road" gang on GS bikes But at Ubbley Wheeli is correct, its a great place (if dry) to have a go with plenty of flatish area to get used to the feel before you decide.
Airwolf always praises the Karoos better than TKCs also worth considering