It’s open.

Click here to enter!

You know what? For the time of year it ain’t looking half bad.

It’s going to be bitterly cold, granted, but there’s a fresh northerly blowing, clear skies and dipping temperatures, all of which mean drying trails - sticking the proverbial neck out, it may be the best weekend on the Hill this month.

Of course, there’s also Pete’s informal raking day going on; if you fancy a hour or two of raking in return for some hot soup and Nic’s excellent, excellent brownies then come over for 10am Sunday with a rake and help clear the short push path.

If it’s your first time winter riding at Aston Hill read the essentials and the frequently asked questions – clay, chalk and wet roots make Aston Hill a very different animal in the wet, and the boardwalk at the bottom of the Red Run becomes particularly difficult under a layer of wet mud. Otherwise make sure you’re bike is running well, your tyres have plenty of grip left and you wrap up warm - it’s going to be a cold one!

And just in case you were wondering - rake handles don’t blend. There’s a lesson for us all there.

  

Below is an edited version of the CTC’s stance on the government’s planned selling off of Forestry Commission land in England. A full version can be read here.

It’s going to be scorchio!

Sorry, that’s a complete lie. It’s the middle of January and looking typically grim. The temperatures are dropping below freezing overnight but rising during the day, so while the ground will freeze-dry overnight, the following day it will probably thaw making conditions very, very greasy. The saving grace is that the northerly breeze may start to dry out the more exposed areas, especially after the fine conditions today. However, don’t count on this, and bear in mind that in the wind it will be cold!

If you do ride this weekend, wrap up warm and make sure that your bike has decent tyres and is working well.

If it’s your first time winter riding at Aston Hill read the essentials and the frequently asked questions – clay, chalk and wet roots make Aston Hill a very different animal in the wet, and the boardwalk at the bottom of the Red Run becomes particularly difficult under a layer of wet mud.

Whatever you do, have a great weekend.

It isn’t the most optimistic weather post that’s ever appeared here, so to cheer you up here’s some shiny happy people!

If you want to do some digging, then there’s two fast-approaching dates for your diary!

You wanted it, you got it - the return of the alternative push-up!

There will be a special extra dig day on Sunday 30 January. Chairman Pete will be running it and in true RAF style, it has a very specific target: re-open the alternative push up (you know the one - it was used during Foot and Mouth). Bring rakes if you have them; there won’t be much digging as it’ll be a case of clearing the path and re-establishing it.

The continuing re-birth of the 4X

Sunday 6th February is the date set for the next session on the 4X. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the difference made at the last session was amazing and it seems that everyone is super-keen to continue with the good work. All hands welcome - come on over and continue making a difference to the Hill!

What? When? Where?

It’s the same plan as usual for both sessions – meet at 10am in Aston Hill carpark for a quick briefing before heading off into the woods to work up some magic. It will be a full-on morning of getting your hands dirty, so come dressed to dig with warm clothes and gloves (protective footwear and eyewear is also advised).

Want to come along? Excellent! If it’s your first time (don’t be embarrassed – we were all there once) drop a line to gardeningwithoutthevegetables@rideastonhill.co.uk to let us know and we’ll be more than pleased to show you the ropes. There’ll even be tea and cake at the end (and some soup as well, to warm weary limbs).

Damp, damp, damp. That’s how it’s looking at the moment.

The temperatures have hit double figures, but this also means that the stereotypical English winter has reappeared with its blustery wind and drizzley rain.

Unless there is an impromptu heatwave, the Hill will be wet, making it very technical and slippery;
make sure you have a decent amount of tread on your tyres and your bike is running well.

If it’s your first time winter riding at Aston Hill read the essentials and the frequently asked questions – clay, chalk and wet roots make Aston Hill a very different animal in the wet, and the boardwalk at the bottom of the Red Run becomes particularly difficult under a layer of wet mud (which will almost undoubtedly be the case with the weekend’s mild conditions).

Just remember - these conditions may suck but they will make you a better rider, and come summer you’ll be quicker and fitter, making dry riding that much better (seriously)!

Don’t forget Mr. Bling’s race down at PORC on Sunday. It’s a Mr. Bling event and World Cup racer Harry Molloy’s local patch, so a good show should be on the cards!

If you own a few MTB DVDs then you’ll probably recognise this rather fine band… Enjoy, play loud get your wiggle on!

Just a quickie to welcome Sam Wakefield onto the Aston Hill Committee as Junior Rider Rep.

Most locals already know Sam, which is why he has been asked to be the face of junior riders in all decision making regarding Aston Hill. He’s also an insanely quick racer and very good lad, and to top it all (and to quote chairman Pete) “if you cut him in half, you’d see he’s Aston Hill through and through.”

Looking forward to your ideas Sam - nice one!

There was the latest instalment of the Hillbilly Dig Day Trail Care series on Sunday, and the 4X was the much-needed recipient of Hillbilly attention.

IMBike writer and and Hillbilly George Woodward was there and already written a great piece, so we’ve borrowed it from imbikemag.com/forum/showthread.php?305-Aston-Hill-January-Dig-Day - it sums up the morning’s work really well.

“It may have been sunny this morning but standing in the Aston Hill car park it was pretty apparent that it was well and truly still winter. There was a layer of frost on the ground and it was pretty chilly. That didn’t stop the dozen or so trail volunteers from turning up and getting down to work.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who helped out. The next dig day will be taking place early February.”

As always, a big, big thanks to all the guys and gals who took the time to come and dig. We hope you got something out of it, have taken a bit of pride in doing a good job on the Hill and enjoyed Nic’s baking!

Next dig day will be in early Feb - date TBC. We’d love to have you along - sign-up to the digging email if you want to be the first to know when they are planned for and keep an eye on the website.

It’s going to be a busy year on the Hill!

Fancy a bit of short course racing with some mates in a great atmosphere?

The UK reknowned Mr. Bling’s winter series is taking place at PORC (Penthurst Off Road Cycling) on Sunday 16th Jan. and there’s a good Aston Hill contingent heading over, including Rich Abbott and Pete and Nic Way, so you’ll be in fine company!

It’s £15 plus a returnable fiver for a race board, plus a guaranteed good crowd and a great fun short course track.

Finally, dress to impress - it’s Mr. Bling, after all!

As you’ve probably noticed, here darn sarf most of the snow has gone and left behind plenty of water and potholed roads; this is because the temperatures have finally hit positive, breaking the elusive freezing mark. However, this also means that the high pressures we have been enjoying are moving away, bringing in wind and rain. Great.

After the past days of rain, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Hill is going to be very wet this weekend. With temps still dipping below freezing overnight, this could mean that the ground is still frozen underneath, but covered by a layer of wet mud. What this means is that conditions probably won’t be too sticky (as the clay in the ground will still be hard) but very slippery and slimy instead - definitely time to put the mud tyres on (if you haven’t already) and definitely a weekend to tune those handling skills.

First time winter riding on the Hill? Read the essentials and the frequently asked questions – clay, chalk and wet roots make Aston Hill is a very different animal in the wet.

A quick reminder to all aspiring Hillbillies: Sunday is Dig Day! Drop a line to gardeningwithoutthevegetables@rideastonhill.co.uk if you’re planning to head on over. It looks like conditions should be great for it - it will be wet underfoot after prolonged rain, but forecast to be a dry and sunny day. Perfick!

All riders heading over to ride Sunday, please be aware that there is digging going on and keep a look out for Hillbilly digging teams in their fluro vests. There should be minimal disruptions on all trails.

Oh yes. Something good is gonna happen.