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Date: 13th September 2009
Riders: Richard, Davebus, Felix, Neil, Rich Lonegroover, Chris, Lee, Vince, yet another Richard, Terry, Debbie and David
Leith Hill
Weather: 17°C

Dave said something to me last week about China Pig and how in 'the old days' they used to walk down one of the descents we had just flown down. I'm not sure if this was in Dave's bus as seen by me on my recent holiday in Sorrento.

The same happened to me the first time I ever rode the old entrance line to Park Life way back in circa 2001. We followed another couple of riders into the entrance and then they disappeared. We followed the trail and glanced down the second steep roll-in. Nah! they can't have gone down there, it's not rideable. We really did think that!

The same could be said about trails you ride regularly not being 'as steep' as they used to be. What's all that about? Now there is a certain amount of erosion to trails which is serious in some places on the Surrey Hills but are we really saying it has not only ruined a steep trail but made it more easy at the same time?

Surely a cut up and rutted trail is more difficult to ride than it was in it's mythical pristine condition the first time 'you' rode it.

Of course the answer is as Dave stated above, we have just become far better, confident and competent riders than we used to be and it is our rose-tinted spectacles that are making us think all the trails were better 'back in the day' when as Dango said to me, we were all crap, didn't have a clue and were just out messing around on our bikes having a good time.

Which is yet another reason why the Surrey Hills are such a great place to ride. There is always something to test your skills, strength and fitness. However as soon as you think you have mastered it, someone shows you the next level to aim at i.e. our dreadlocked buddy from Swinley launching himself over the fallen tree Dave has just rolled for the first time.

This week a large group of 12 riders leaves Starveall car park later than planned due to David's ham-fisted attempts to insert his rear wheel bending the pad retaining clip requiring a change over. We then literally ride into Green Orange Dave's group as we both approach the main trail from separate forks joining it at the same time.

There's more waiting at the Tower as Terry has some problem with his brakes on his custard-yellow Cotic Soul and we haven't even ridden a mile yet!

Whilst we wait we are introduced to Steve and Neil who are new to the area and looking for some good trails to ride and we duly oblige heading over towards Deliverance via Personal Hygeine etc.

Unfortunately, Steve takes a tumble at the trails near the foot of Deliverance and 20 minutes later realise his rather expensive Garmin 705 has gone missing, last seen in this picture about 10 seconds before his fall. He never did find it so if anyone knows where it is please contact me.

We stick to Leith Hill taking in all the miles of singletrack only punctuated by a number of falls as we throw ourselves over various trees, roots, logs and lips but the crash of the day was definitely Neill's.

Looking resplendent in his MBR riding top (a gift for winning one of their Killer Loops last year) Neill leaned forward and off the saddle whilst pulling his handlebar mounted trigger to raise his telescopic saddle.

Unfortunately for him he grabbed a handful of front brake instead of the release lever which acted as an ejector seat and launched him over the bars landing flat on his back. What was I saying about skills and competence?

Dave was showing that his mum has been putting something in his tea over the last few weeks as he rode not only the fallen tree on WOM (see above) but the steep roll-in on Windy Willow for the first time today even if he did end up in the bushes at the end.

Well done mate, just remember to clip-in and cover the brakes next time...

There was just time for Cliff to join the group for Chocolate Jesus, some insanely narrow woodwork which we all baulked at and for us to spot a dragon at Leith Hill Tower before it was time to head back to the car-park, home, lunch and a little post-prandial snooze on the sofa.

And all this whilst sticking to the bridleways as requested by the bloke in the Land Rover who rolled up to the car park just before we left; what a life!

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Date: 19th September 2009
Riders: Richard, Davebus, Green Orange Dave, Felix, Steve, Gary (briefly), another Steve, Terry, Pete and Stefan
Leith Hill
Weather: 18°C

After the enjoyment of last week's ride we thought we would repeat it but this time with a slightly different supporting cast (although for the umpteenth week I am still the only rider on a hardtail).

Gary and Steve had turned up but disaster struck within 100 metres of the car-park when a poor combination of gears, a slightly bent rear mech and active suspension combined to rip the rear mech off Gary's Morewood Shova meaning the end of the ride for him.

Again, in similar fashion to last week there are a number of crashes which are captured on video including two for Steve who is usually an accomplished rider quite happy on the steep stuff or with his wheels off the ground.

Plenty of pictures below but to get the full flavour of the ride you really need to view the 'Go with the Flow' MTB movie, shot exclusively this weekend.