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Date: 6th February 2011
Riders: Richard, Rob, Davebus, Terry, Gazza, Rich Lonegroover, Keith, Nick and Andy
Leith Hill
Weather: 10°C

 

I spent Saturday afternoon stripping and cleaning the drivetrain on the Bianchi. After crashing in January I was back on it for two cycle commutes this week but something in the drivetrain was creaking really badly.

I stripped it all down and after a trip to Halfords for some degreaser and to Corridori for a Campagnolo/Miche cassette lockring removal tool I removed and then degreased the chain, cranks, rear mech and cassette before regreasing and replacing them. The short test ride seemed to confirm that the creak had gone but I will keep an ear out for that later this week.

I also serviced my Fox Vanilla forks replacing the black and murky looking fork oil with some nice fresh stuff also purchased during my Halfords trip.

Onto Sunday and the temperature has reached double figures for the first time this year and it's stopped raining for a few days meaning that the trails are rideable again.

But it's like an old crocks ride today with me back after my recent injuries and Rob's first ride back after going over on black ice on the same day that I did. Meanwhile Davebus and Andy have both been suffering form a nasty bout of flu that lasted circa 4 weeks and Wheeler Dealer Andy comes back looking more Mike Brewer than Edd China.

So it's a slow drag around our usual Leith Hill route with a few extras thrown in like the new trail that Davebus showed us that linked the Cricket Pitch with Caspers and I managed to refind the lovely little trail that I had literally stumbled across (and along and down) when I was out in the deep snow at the end of last year.

Still not sure I could find it again but that's part of the fun of riding the Surrey Hills, finding your way around and knowing there's always another trail out there if you want to make a detour.

Only circa 12 miles covered but my shoulder felt good even though my legs were shot at the end.

Date: 27th February 2011
Riders: Richard, Davebus, Terry, Robin & Harvey
Holmbury Hill & Pitch Hill
Weather: 8.5°C

 

Another long break from mountain biking and even the cycle commuting has gone by the wayside as I have been at home on holiday for this 'half-term' week (although half-term is immaterial when you have two children aged 18 and 19).

To be honest I really felt like giving today a miss too. Heavy rain has continued over the last fortnight and a downpour most of Saturday (yesterday) has left the trails wet, soggy and cut-up.

But at least the sun is out and Harvey has promised to give me a Merlin Malt frame F.O.C. as he is clearing out his loft/garage/whatever due to an upcoming emigration and so we meet at Holmbury YHA for 9-30 and are soon out on the trails even if my legs do feel heavy. It's not just me that's suffering though as I overtake Davebus on one of the short climbs; not often that happens.

Down Surfer Roser and then a laboured ride down BKB which hasn't suffered too much from the logging activity but is looking cut-up in the wet and a lot of the roots are like glass.

Across to Pitch Hill and there are loads of other riders out. We spot a large'ish group being led by Andy 'Ghostrider' (no, that picture's not on Pitch Hill) and stop for a quick chat and catch-up.

Then it's around the singletrack trails on the top of Pitch Hill before returning to Peaslake via the T-trails where we pause for tea with about 30 other riders including several bunches of roadies (why is it that there seems to be a higher proportion of females on road bikes?).

Then up to the top of Holmbury Hill via the road climb then the steep concrete drive on the left where Terry suffers his second unplanned dismount of the day and then Yoghurt Pots where I am ploughing through all the large puddles as I am wearing my long Altura trousers and they protect my legs from getting dirty making the drive home much easier.

Down Telegraph Road for the final run and home before the rain for a session with the hose and a brush to clean off the accumulated mud and grit on my frame and in my drivetrain.

 

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click to view click to view click to view Steve Neill Big Trev Orange Dave dialled bikes pewter headtube badge Dave and Dave outside LOMAC Dave on Summer Lightning A grinning Trevor Steve (again) Davebus and Neill on Stane Street Jason next to Denbie's vineyard Trevor struggles up the climb Dave followed by Jason on Stane Street Banstead Downs singletrack It was getting dark by the time I got back Richard (that's me!) Surrey Hills logo at the top of Coombe hill Gary dicing with the cars through New Malden Stag party Gary's Giant SCR 2008 model A cheerful looking Gary part way round Richmond Park speed limits for cyclists! Kingston Gate, Richmond Park view off the side of Headley Heath Bianchi K-Vid carbon forks self-portrait whilst climbing between second and third hairpin on the Zig Zag Road, Box Hill Dave and Mat, the folly, Reigate Hill urban riding, Richard in Ashtead High Street a bit underexposed but a nice shot of the view from the North Downs Way Richard dropping in on Colley Hill No, not the Mediterranean, this is outside LOMAC, Ashtead High Street Richard showing off for the camera Mat and Richard, Stane Street Richard, Headley Heath Mat on Headley Heath Gary with our 'rabbit' in the distance Gary in the dusk Richard Gary chasing the yellow 'rabbit' in the distance Cas Cas Richard 'self-portrait'