Introducing Megalomania

The word megalomania is derived from the Greek words "μεγαλο": megalo-, meaning large or great, and "μανία": mania, meaning madness, frenzy. It is also an excellent Black Sabbath song (see at the bottom) This is a suitable name for the new track at Bushcombe which is a speed frenzy and large open corners.

Pump and roll - Updated with pics

Thanks again to everyone who turned up to dig today at Bushcombe.

We started by walking down the track to check for fallen branches, then decided to work on the bottom section to improve the flow and to bring it up to the same standard as the top.

Bushy dig day - Nov 13th 2.30pm (DH and XC)

It's been a while but now the ground is getting softer the next round of Bushcombe dig days is about to start. I know a few of you have been enjoying what we've put in up there this year, so we've got some plans to extend, alter and improve what is already there.

On Sunday 13th November we are planning to make our way to Bushcombe (meeting at 2.30pm at the car park) to ride and take stock of what we have. If you want to go up earlier feel free and we'll meet you up there.

The ground may be still quite hard so it maybe that we start by checking the track over and seeing what needs work along with cutting some brush away to form new lines.

Other items of focus for this dig season are that we are keen to start looking at other lines for DH and, with the Cranham situation developing , creating an XC'able line there. This may sound like a massive task but I think we are only looking at the bottom 1/3 of the hill which needs something put in to ride back up as the exisiting trails and the Land rover tracks form a nice network in most areas and I think we could have something in place quite easily with a bit of graft and using the land well.

So if you fancy trying your hand at designing some lines, both DH and XC come along we'd love to hear your thoughts and we'd be happy to point you in the direct of some of the areas most suited for this to save you scouring the area. Or if you just want to come to dig and ride feel free.

Everyone welcome!

Dancing with thorns - updated

Sunday was the first official ride on the new Bushcombe track and what a perfect day with the sun out in full force. The track was dry and grippy which resulted in faster than expected riding and great jumping. People turned out in droves with fifteen different faces, and we have two new members as a result of the work we've been doing up there. There were some photos / videos being taken, check out the Facebook Group for more media.

Club has got one nice track now for our use!

Bushcombe on pinkbike.com

Rich D's Full run from Barnaby Tompkins on Vimeo.

Bushcombe video - first cut

Thanks to everyone who has put in the hard work over winter, just a couple of dig days left now before we can shred the track all summer!

Keep your eyes on the Facebook Group to see what is happening up there.

Barnaby has put together this excellant preview of what is to come...

Bushcombe - first cut from Barnaby Tompkins on Vimeo.

Bushcombe winter digging

As many of you know, the Cheltenham and County Cycling Club have been building trails on local farmland for the last year and a half. As the summer fades away and the undergrowth dies down we are starting to plan how we can really make the venue something special for next year as well as preparing it for winter skids.

There are 2 tracks being developed, a classic DH style course and a freeride trail with ladder drops, bridge jumps and plenty of berms. Both trails need continuing development during the darker months along with designing and building new lines, which is why we are looking for more riders and trail builders to come and help.

The first dig session will be Sunday 19th September 8am-12. Everyone is welcome to come along to our sessions and we try to do a bit of riding after. Keep your eyes on this site for more dig and ride dates, if you would like to be added to our mailing list please ContactUs.


Photos: Mike Dunsby and Graham Haller

Corrective Racing: Round 2

To follow on with last weeks timed sessions we will be riding against the clock at Bushcombe this Thursday. You will be glad to hear that I went up on Saturday and cleared all the nettles and grass from the track so no stings or scratches. I modified a couple of corners as well making then a little easier, still plenty to challenge everyone though (and ridable by all).

I hope that we can run the full length of the built track so looking at times around 45 seconds, if lots of people turn up or it is too slow a turn around we can shorten the timed section.

You can think of the times as a race, or just as personal challenge. I find that I ride completely differently against a clock compared to just cruising.

I will be getting there at 6pm to put out a little tape and get some practice in, but remember club members can ride there any time in the week.

I hope to see lots of you up there on Thursday

Bushcombe update and ride

A lot has been happening up Bushcombe since the last update. The usual Wednesday dig/ ride sessions are still on going with the work dependant on the weather. As we approach summer there will be more riding and less digging.

The track is progressing nicely, we have been taking advantage of the damp weather over the last few weeks and been digging in new berms, drops and jumps. Currently nearly half the track is ridable and has many interesting features. As the weather dries out again we will work on clearing the remaining sections. 

This weeks (20th May) Corrective Thursday will be up at Bushcombe, people will be up there from 6pm. If you arrive late a contact number will be displayed in one of the cars.

Enjoy a few bad quality photos of some of the stuff that is being built up there...

Bushcombe Wednesdays!

Starting this Wednesday 6pm (21st April) there will be dig/ ride evenings. The initial aim will be to work on the new track with some riding. As we progress with the track there will be more riding and even some timed sessions later in the summer.

A few of us went  up at the weekend to try out some of the sections, considering it is still in early development it was very fun. The track was a lot faster than expected and provided a good challenge for a range of abilities.

Currently there is still a lot of hawthorn that needs trimming so pruning equipment and rakes will be very useful. A few corners need cutting in as well so mattocks and hoes are also essential equipment.

I hope that we can make this a regular evening so we can keep progressing the trails at Bushcombe. Remember if you have an idea we have the land!

Bushcombe track walk 31st March

Now the evenings are getting later we have the daylight and the opportunity to make B-Side something special for the summer. We are meeting at 6pm at the viewpoint car park so we can walk the new track route and discuss the work required.

No need to bring any tools to this one as it is an exploration trip. Once we all know where the track is going we can come up at our leisure to complete it. Remember anyone is welcome to come and view and work on the trail but due to insurance reasons you need to be a Cheltenham and County Cycling Club member to ride. We have worked hard to secure this venue, please do not ruin it with illegal riding.

The new track requires a bit of hard graft but has some really exciting sections. We've got a serious amount of space at Bushcombe and are keen to get loads of lines up there to make it the best riding experience for all, so if you've always wanted a big road gap, some twisty woodland singletrack or a sweet jump-line - discuss it with us and then come and build something that you want to ride and progress on!"

View Larger Map

I have been watching this video, it features some trail work that we should aspire to...

More Mountain Biking >>

Requests for Bushcombe

I am sure that you all have many ideas about what you want from the Bushcombe site.
There is a post on the CC-CC forum so all club members can make suggestions on what we should build. Of course we will be asking for people to help build these ideas!!

Do not forget the walk of the site tomorrow (Wednesday evening). Come along even if you cannot/ do not want to help dig, there are many other ways you can help.

Make your track suggestions HERE

Bushcombe 2010 Plans

Winter has been a little quiet for Bushcombe, but the project is still ongoing with plenty of exciting plans for the coming year including a new track and a real potential for uplifts.

Over the winter the farmer has done a lot of clearing and has constructed better access. Unfortunately this has damaged a section of Track1, it is still ridable but it is going to be laid to rest. The access track makes uplifts a real option now... Just need someone to organise it!

The good news is that we have laid out a new track which is packed with features and longer than Track1. Let me introduce B-Side:

OK this is just a sketch of what is going down, but we have over half of it cleared already and will be looking to ride sections in the next couple of months. The track looks to be about 750m long with a 100m drop, there are more jump and chute options over the first track and of course will have plenty of corners to keep you on your toes.

The aim for Spring is to get as many people as possible working on the track on official dig sessions and whenever they can make it. Ideally we should work on the main track, but any trail building up Bushcombe will be good.

If you want to get involved contact Alex or Barnaby, if you don't have their email just ContactUs

Bushy Photos Online

For anyone that hasn't ventured up to Bushcombe yet, then here's something to whet your appetite...

MikeDunsbysPhotos

Corrective Thursday Bushcombe

This weeks Corrective Thursday evening will be up Bushcombe DH. The track is not finished but can be ridden top to bottom (Full runs all the way).

It is suitable for everyone and there are alternative lines for any technical sections, any mountain bike will do.

See you up there

First Ride Bushcombe DH

A few of us went up Bushcombe DH track to try it out on Thursday. First impressions are that it rides well and holds a good flow, we knew that some sections still need some work but we have only been working on it for a couple of weeks!

Big grins loam drift action!

Bushcombe DH!

The rumours are true, we have secured a venue to build GravityAssisted tracks!

We have access to 108acres of lightly wooded/ scrub land with up to 120m drop. The plan is to build a selection of DH tracks with varying styles and technical abilities. The area is completely different to Lecky so we can have a good selection of trails.

The site will be a club members only spot but we will run some form of events for the general public. Keep your eye on this blog for the latest information.

If you want to come and help dig or ride ContactUs