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3rd
June David, Shavey
and Richard – Leith_Hill We
have been studying the MBR routes for some time and we fancy trying the route
recently issued that takes in Leith_Hill
and the surrounding area. It's a medium route, 25 miles and should take 3 hours.
We now consider ourselves of medium skill so we agree to have a crack at it. David
has a new decathlon_bladder and gloves and is keen to try
them out.
David
and I get the train to Dorking and then cycle to Shere to meet Shavey at the start
of the route. I don't know if you've ever done that ride but the A25 is very hilly
with lots of fast traffic and the 10 miles to Shere are sheer bloody hell! My
full suspension bike is a nightmare on the tarmac and I am feeling miserable by
the time we get to the start of the route! Luckily, Shavey has overslept so we
get 3/4 of an hour in Shere, sitting by the river watching the ducks - bliss.
Shavey arrives and drives up to the car park where the route formally starts (another
long road climb for us) and we finally set out.
We
only have an O/S map that covers part of the route and we are lost within 2 miles
of the start. After some messing around we finally discover where we need to go
but the route is closed due to F&M. We skirt around this and after an hour
we are finally where we want to be. Our being unable to match the MBR map and
directions to the reality on the ground spoils the remainder of the first half
of the route. Anyway, once we reach the section we have an OS map for, we are
okay although we still end up carrying our bikes DOWN some unbelievable hills
as we manage to lose ourselves again. David gets his mandatory flat – we all hear
a quite impressive crack as the rear deflates instantly as he goes over a few
rocks
However,
the singletrack was great, the best that we have ridden on and we do enjoy most
of the day even if it eventually takes us six hours rather than the recommended
three! The big lesson is never go out without a proper map. Still, it was a great
ride and our first experience of Leith Hill.
This
area is mostly greensand. Good draining but a real killer on brake_pads and rims, chains and cassettes. You
need to clean your bike carefully after every ride on this stuff and check your
pads - they disappear quickly.
28th
June Thursday – Belmont_Downs A quick evening spin around Belmont and Track_40 and another flat for David. He really must pump his tyres up more. They look as if they are about 20 psi.
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