Mountain Biking

bolterixus · 26 Jul 2015 at 14:24

Do any of you like the 29ers as the Trek Marlin 7 looks quite good as well.

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 14:34

neil_g said:
The Swinley Fb page is awash with speculation

One of the guys that stopped to help has spoken to the wife to pass on the well wishes and should have some info when all family members have been told.

Can you link it?

mangobreeder · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:16

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SwinleyforestMTB/?notif_t=group_r2j_approved

closed group though

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:36

Thanks.

Phil W · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:38

Goes to show from reading that FB post (and the replies).. MTB'ers are like one big family, news like this sends shockwaves through the community!

Juggy1985 · 26 Jul 2015 at 18:16

I'm after a tow bar bike rack if anyone wants to sell theres or knows of any bargains out there. Shout me a holla!

mangobreeder · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:42

Reposted form the swinley forest group

The Rider who died Saturday 25th July 2015 was Mark Kingston. I have been in contact with Marks wife Anna today who has asked me to fill you all in. Below is a section of a message I received today from Anna I can't think of anything else to say.
"I just wanted to tell you a bit about Mark he did 22 years in the army being sent to Iraq and other god awful places he was a proud man an amazing husband and father we have been together 27 years I have truly lost my soul mate but your words have helped me to know he was not alone and everything that could be done was done xx"
Anna Kingston.

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 22:30

RIP Mark.

neil_g · 27 Jul 2015 at 08:09

Tragic really, put a big lump in my throat..

Makes you reconsider the risks you take, I ride alone a lot and while I always tell the OH where I am going and carry a first aid kit that counts for nothing if you're beyond helping yourself.

Jono · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:23

I did read (probably speculation) that he died of natural causes, or suffered something which caused him to crash... but perhaps that's not the case. Nasty stuff.

neil_g · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:27

Jono said:
I did read (probably speculation) that he died of natural causes, or suffered something which caused him to crash... but perhaps that's not the case. Nasty stuff.

i dont think anyone has actually officially confirmed. last i read the area was cordoned off for investigation.

Supercow · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:02

Been following the Swinley thread since I heard about it, hope you're OK Malt Vinegar?
No one likes seeing anyone injured, nevermind dying on the trails.

Such an innocuous bit of trail too, but you're able to get a fair bit of speed down there.

Jono · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:25

Supercow said:
Been following the Swinley thread since I heard about it, hope you're OK Malt Vinegar?
No one likes seeing anyone injured, nevermind dying on the trails.

Such an innocuous bit of trail too, but you're able to get a fair bit of speed down there.

Which bit was it? I heard it was 25, but having only been there once I can't remember it.
It's not the bit that starts from the top of a bit of a steep climb, then drops down over some nice little rolly jumps is it? Fast and fun?

Malt_Vinegar · 27 Jul 2015 at 11:05

Supercow said:
Been following the Swinley thread since I heard about it, hope you're OK Malt Vinegar?
No one likes seeing anyone injured, nevermind dying on the trails.

Such an innocuous bit of trail too, but you're able to get a fair bit of speed down there.

I'm ok, thanks.
It's been sobering, and quite traumatic. But that pales into insignificance against the trauma his family are experiencing.

It was my first time at Swinley, but I am told it is called R25, and basically, there is a small descent with a couple of minor undulations before the section gets more technical.

The marks on the floor and damage to bike/helmet suggest he lifted off one bump, hit the next with a turned front wheel, which caught and buckled, before sending Mark over the bars, into what is a low point after the bump he hit.

Its a fairly innocuous part before the main drops and berms further down. Its was my first trail riding experience and it didn't look tough at that point, but clearly we had to stop, and could not take it at speed due to the incident. Maybe there was some sort of equipment failure that would cause the wheel to turn in the air or on lift off?

I believe the green circle is the section in question approximately. This was my track from the ride.

bolterixus · 27 Jul 2015 at 11:07

Guys what do you think of the Trek Marlin 7 2015 29er?

merlin · 27 Jul 2015 at 12:02

bolterixus said:
Guys what do you think of the Trek Marlin 7 2015 29er?

Good reviews, can't go much wrong for £500.

I took a look at it myself but decided 29er too big for me. I'm just in the middle of a change to 650b now - got a Saracen Mantra Pro 2015 on the way as of last night - £540 with £60 off code at Tredz.

Supercow · 27 Jul 2015 at 12:47

@Jono: Yeap, that's the one. I usually get my breath up top of that clearing.

@Malt_Vinegar: Those rollers are so small, I usually double over two at a time from the top. Complete speculation on my behalf, knowing nothing about the guy, I suspect he either tried to get a little bit of air off a single roller and lost control. Either that of he got bucked, but not sure how that's possible.

6thElement · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:47

Snax said:
Good news. Bike located and safely delivered at last minute. Air Canada are gash, never fly with them if you have luggage no matter how enticing the time or price. They have a policy of removing bags arbitrarily after regularly overbooking. The bike turning up late has put me in a bit of a position; I haven't been able to give it a once over and I had to get up super early to do a late registration. Strong words will be had...

Today is moving day. I'll add some more info once we have arrived at base camp. The buzz here is unreal. I am shocked at how many shaved legs I am seeing but I will be scaring those half men off with my uber hair back if they cause me any problems.

I am drinking like a fish. Litres and litres of water just sitting outside in the sun. Riding will be interesting. A couple of years ago, this chap had this to say after a hot day of riding. https://youtu.be/joxnWfM7F2Q

Snax clearly got eaten by a grizzly. At least that's my conclusion with the lack of stage or finish updates.

Jono · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:29

Supercow said:
@Jono: Yeap, that's the one. I usually get my breath up top of that clearing.

@Malt_Vinegar: Those rollers are so small, I usually double over two at a time from the top. Complete speculation on my behalf, knowing nothing about the guy, I suspect he either tried to get a little bit of air off a single roller and lost control. Either that of he got bucked, but not sure how that's possible.

Unless he, as I did, tried to double them, rotated forward and just dug his front wheel in on the face of the next one, then went over the bars/onto his noggin?
(except I just held onto it somehow... then went faster on the second go round) .

bolterixus · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:34

merlin. How tall are you? out of curiosity. What would you say about the pitch comp 2015. Also do you know the weight of Marlin 7?

ty