Just came back from a 24 hour uplift with MTB Freeride club out in Okeford-Fitzpaine (Blandford area). My boyfriend and I joined this club about a month and a half ago, this is the 2nd uplift that we attended. Its a really great club, great playground, but I'm the only girl around it seems!! This is a great group of lads, but it'd be really nice to have another female around on the rides (I am pretty much a beginner on this sort of thing, so it does suit all levels). Its a brilliant park for anyone interested in freeride stuff - lots of north shore and jumps, but also nice fireroad trails. Just thought I'd post a note in case there is anyone out there who is interested... anyone??
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 Is there a website? Sounds great, let us know when the next uplift is, how much etc etc. Do you have to be a member?
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 Yes an uplift day would hit the spot..
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The club has a website: http://www.mtb-freeride.com/
to check it out.
Next uplift is the 16th of July. It should be a fairly quiet one as the club trip to Les Gets leaves the day before. I'm likely to go to the uplift, so it'd be great if any of the girls are interested in going.
We are probably heading out tommorow as well if anyone is looking for a ride. Please check out the website if you are, as you need to be a member to ride in the park (insurance!)
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 has anyone been to haldon I went did ok but did chicken out of the freeride area as they were a bit too high for me! I felt that the sections of trails were short at times...
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Hi Andie,
I've just accepted a new job in Poole, so I'm going to be moving down to Dorset end of August and will be looking to be getting on my bike...I think what sold me the job was that I was told the lads from new work...who I haven't met yet... go mountain biking :-)
I am not that into jumps and stuff, but i'll give most things a go and will be looking for a new bunch mtb'ers to knock around with in the south west.
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Hi Caroline (and everyone else!),
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond - recently moved and life is a bit hectic! I'm really excited that you are moving down here and interested in riding. Drop me an email when you have moved and we'll arrange something! For yourself and everyone else on the forum - I will also be putting a new post up for the next uplift at okeford when I know the date (missed the July one sorry - my boyfriend is in Les Gets this week and my focus is moving into the new house! He's the one who's usually on top of the bike organization with us!).
The uplifts are open to everyone (members and non members) and is a great way to see if you like the park before joining.
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Hi everyone,
I live down the road in Blandford but have been living away for work until recently. I definitly want to get out evenings and weekends for some riding.
I'm more of an XC kind of gal but I'm up for anything.
I'll be back in the area full time from mid-August.
I know a few mtb'ers already but it would be great to organise a ride sometime if anyone is interested.
Where in Poole are you working Caroline?
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It sounds like the end of August (Caroline moving down, Spannah back this way, I'm away to Canada until the 21st) would be a great time for a girls ride. I'm happy to post another folder on the forum when I'm back if that is good with you guys. There are a fair few places in and around Bournemouth/Poole and Blandford if you gals (and anyone else!)want to get together for a ride at the end of Aug?
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I start my job on the 4th September but should be down (living in southbourne temporarily) from the bank holiday end of august. I am going to be working near the barclays building...so not the nicest end of town! Spannah, i'm more into xc as well. I might also get the low down on where is nice to live as well!
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 i went to the freeride park last saturday and had a great time, there was no uplift but that was no problem as we just found fun bits and worked on them until another fun bit called. So i only pushed up twice all day. I have only ever ridden XC before but that was some of the most fun on a bike i have had in ages, even tried some little jumps and the X-up course is brilliant. Would be a top spot for a mtb skills day...
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Glad you enjoyed it! Next uplift will be the 12th of November. I'll put a new post up over the weekend. :-)
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yep unfortunately i am racing XC at gorrick that day... but i will be back some other time uplift or no uplift
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just to bump this back up.
I went to the uplift on Sunday. They had a few issues with getting the trucks working because of the mud and gave up on it by lunch time. We still had a good day pushing up and riding the top part of the park. There has been loads of work and there is now hard shelter which promises to be decked by summer perfect for chilling with a post ride beer of an evening.
I was the only girl up there this time but there are rumours of "ladies day" uplift with coaching from a top female DH rider sometime in September. Who'd be interested?
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Hi guys, I've now moved back to Canada, so can't really say much about the park now. I do know that 2 of the guys who moved to buy the park as a private business freaked out about it getting 'too big', and one (the one with the big army truck) was acting very weird (hadn't worked in years, was running out of money, so its possible that he was looking to skim money off the top from events - if its run as a club rather than business its far easier to do this!), so as far as I know its back to being a 'club' rather than a proper park. I'm sure that the runs are still fine, and that events as far as regular punters know, will run fine and smooth-ish. But the professional, smooth running goal of a year and a half ago, will definately be gone, and I'm sure at events if it doesn't run smoothly they will be 'hiding' behind it being an amateur club type op than a professional business. The ladies day has been on the cards for years.....sorry for sounding bitter about it, but with the guys that are running it now, don't hold your breath too long!
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Hi Andie,
I wondered why you aren't about anymore. Hope you are enjoying the riding back home!
I didn't see any signs of problems with organisation. It was just really muddy! The park seems to be more professional than ever. Better facilities, better signage. New 4X course approved by BC and an NPS race scheduled for this year. Lots of new north shore and a general feeling of enthusiasm and positivity. Whatever may have been going on behind the scenes the outward appearance is of a great set up. As for ladies day I'm keen to get involved with the organising of it so may be that will help ensure it becomes more than just a rumour. There don't seem to be many female regulars up there so I can understand the lads not driving for it to happen when there doesn't seem to be a need or demand for it.
Don't be bitter Andie - you're in canada now, home to some of the best riding in the world!
Keep in touch if you are back over here sometime
Hannah
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 I too have heard talk of a 'Ladies Day' at the MTB Freeride Park, though nothing concrete. Need to make another trip there to check it out again though, been nearly 2 years since I was there last and apparently there've been a lot of changes!
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Hi there, I moved to Blandford a year ago from Bristol and havent really been out on my bike. I've seen flyers for the Okeford bike park in my local bike shop and thought it looks really good but until now i have been too intimidated to go there by myself. Spannah confirmed my fears by saying "I was the only girl up there". Ugh. Not my thing, haha. Would anyone be interested to meet up and go for a ride there? I am fairly confident rider (switchbacks are my nemesis though!!  ) but my stamina is quite low after a years break.
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Silke I am planning on going down for the next uplift and race weekend on 12th/13th July if you want to meet up, see this thread
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Yes, I saw your thread later. Sounds really good but I am not going to be around that weekend. Hopefully there are going to be some more weekends I can join in.
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