Date: 1st August
2010
Riders: Richard, Rob,
Rob M, Rich
Lonegroover, Nick, Terry
and Tim
Leith Hill
Weather: 18°C
So the Alps holiday has been and gone and I was wondering whether I would still feel the same about the Surrey Hills trails. I rode the 725 Prince Albert today to make it more of a challenge and it was pleasing to say that I didn't necessarily find it easy, it was just different!
It was nice that I had retained some fitness (managed just two commutes on the bike this week due to an Alpine hangover) and so didn't struggle too much uphill; well no more than I normally do.
I did find however that my head was in a strange place today. The whole ride passed by in a blur. Even though I was leading the group it felt all slightly unreal to me. Oh well, a few more weeks at work will soon solve that and I will be back in my normal frame of mind.
We were joined by Rob M (Wobbem) today. A newbie to the forum he has ridden a couple of times with various members of the group but this was the first time I have met him. He tackled everything that we threw at him and came back for more.
Terry was riding everything with much more confidence. He is on the Specialized Pitch that he rode in the Alps albeit with a lighter wheelset and was often right behind me on the descents which is a new experience. It was all going well until he lost his front wheel in the boggy section near Slidewinder and went over the bars. He was fine but he broke a brake lever on his Hayes Strokers and headed back to the car while the rest of us finished the ride.
We then bumped into Tim who was out riding on his own. He hooked up with us for the rest of the ride and we finished with a section of Windy Willow including the steep roll-in and Chocolate Jesus before heading back to the car park to collect Terry who was my ride home today and had kindly waited for me.
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Date: 8th August
2010
Riders: Richard, Davebus,
Rob M, Nick,
Keith and Gazza
Reigate Hill, Box Hill and Headley Heath
Weather: 24°C
The week before my family holiday and despite having a red wine hangover I crawl out of bed to leave home at 8-30 a.m. for the five mile ride to the start point at the LOMAC for the off at 9 a.m. And I'm glad I do too as it turns out to be a cracking ride on local XC style trails with plenty of bridleway but some great singletrack thrown in for good measure.
Rob M is back for a taste of the local trails and this is the first time Nick has met us at the LOMAC too.
We hit Stane Street and follow this for a few miles until we turn right and head down Little Switzerland and then down the pub steps and across the A25. The pace is strong as we hit the climb up to Norbury Park and Dave starts to show he hasn't lost his climbing legs as he powers away from us.
Across the top of the park and then down Druid's Grove and a chance to test ourselves on the stepped hairpin bends, a test that most of us fail and Rob has a clipped in moment as he crashes into the undergrowth. But undeterred he pushes on to enjoy the rest of the trail which is riding well today.
Back down to the A25 and across at Rykers Cafe for the timed climb up Box Hill (a disappointing 9-34 for me). After a short break it's into the woods again and a great descent down China Pig which has us all a-hollering and a-whooping with enjoyment.
From there it's a stiff little climb back up Juniper Bottom and then onto Mickleham Down and then 'Life on Mars' before turning right and heading through Margery Wood (so 'wood' I) to Headley Heath. Here we follow some of the original Rob's new trails and then crossing the Dorking Road at the top of Pebble Hill and onto the North Downs Way where we stop at a little play areas for some lovely big sky shots. From here we cross over the M25 via the bridge and then along the singletrack at the side of Walton Heath Golf Club and then down the chalky descent parallel to Ebbisham Lane.
From here I decide to part company with the others to head across Epsom Downs and down via the trails through Epsom Downs Golf Club and back home.
So that makes 5 miles to the start point for me, 23.5 miles in the company of the others and another 4.5 miles home for a great total of 33 miles which gets my fitness levels back on track. It was also great that I was back in my proper MTB'ing mindset after being pretty flaky last week and suffering from a post-Alps hangover.
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photos and content copyright of Richard Sear 1999 to 2012
Date: 29th August
2010
Riders: Richard, Nick,
Dave and Steve
Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill
Weather: 16°C
After
being away for two weeks on my annual family holiday a quick spin
around Holmbury and Pitch Hill on my own although I knew it wouldn't
be long before I bumped into some MAMIL's
out in the hills although Steve, Nick and Dave (combined age of 174)
were probably OAMIL's but it was good to ride with some different
faces and even learn some new trails.
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photos and content copyright of Richard Sear 1999 to 2012
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photos and content copyright of Richard Sear 1999 to 2012