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Date:
4th February 2007 Yet another visit to Pitch Hill to show Andy and Emma round some of the trails. The ride provokes the interest of the rest of the forum and we end up with a 10-strong group trailing around. From just above freezing at the car park it soon warms up as we start to climb the hills and the sun comes out. Again the trails are in perfect condition and it's another ride where I don't even have to clean the bike when I get back home. With the early morning ground mist in the valleys, it feels like you are on top of the clouds at the viewpoint: very alpine. Everyone enjoys John Steep although it takes some of us longer to descend than others and I head over the handlebars as I get forced off-line and my front wheels dives into a ditch. Luckily the ground is nice and soft and I get straight back on. Roo shows us how to do it riding gloveless in a piss-pot helmet and tee and on his Rhythm n Flow with 24" wheels he jump/drops Caution Steep Slope and Judges Seat with ease. As time goes on, various riders drop out as they have to head off home but we end the day with the usual Trails Zero to Five before heading in to Peaslake for a tea and refreshments.
...it warms up
as we start to climb the hills and the sun comes
out...
For more photos see Simon Pretty's website READ MORE: Single
speeding
Date:
11th February 2007 The forecast is heavy rain and after 4 inches of snow on Thursday the trails are really cut up. But at least the rain holds off for most of the ride and it's actually quite mild for the time of year, reaching double figures before the rain starts. I have been feeling a bit rough for the last few days and this soon becomes apparent as I am permanently 400 metres behind the other 3 as we head up towards Walton on the Hill and then over Headley Heath. I struggle most of the way round but still manage to rip up the long down hill from the NT cafe. There are lots of fallen trees today requiring us to cut around them, under them or just pick up the bike and carry it over them. Some of which I even bothered to report on the new CTC trail maintenance site. I am riding the Prince Albert today and the heavy build and flat pedals does nothing for my speed whilst the Specialised Enduro rear tyre is fishtailing around on the mud. The trails are kicking up an unbelievable amount of mud and we are totally covered causing old men to approach us wanting to chat and young girls to scream "Eurghhhhhh, look at their faces" (well I think it was the mud making them say that, anyway). A pause at the Tea Hut near Dead Man's Bench at the end of the ride for tea and flapjack and then downhill to home although we detour via Nonsuch Park to show Orlando the route to Worcester Park and to show Felix the huge doubles hidden away there (seen here in drier times). Back home to where the wife too agrees that I am the muddiest she has ever seen, before a bike wash and then a welcome shower for myself.
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MORE: Single
speeding
Date:
25th February 2007 Despite being on holiday for half-term week, decorating put paid to any riding so I am feeling a bit rusty today. Mechanical problems mean I need a lift to arrive at the starting point and I am on the Prince Albert with flat pedals again. Rob rode a combination of two of our usual routes yesterday and the rain means we don't particularly want to do the third, so we head off into new territory. Across Epsom Downs and down the side leading to Langley Bottom and then climbing up towards 30 acre barn, overtaking an ancient roadie on the climb before turning right towards Ashtead. From here we are making it up as we go and despite a bit of road riding we discover the 'best bit of pavement in Surrey', a narrow tree covered trail like pavement with a nice fast rolling descent at the end and after playing like kids on the bridge crossing the A24 we turn into some woods discovering some more singletrack that takes us into Leatherhead. Along the side of the River Mole and after a pause to fix my puncture we end up back on the A24. We climb on the A246 toward's Bockett's Farm and after a pause to check out the livestock, discover more singletrack that takes us up onto Fetcham Downs. After asking for some directions from some dog-walkers we head further into the woods and some undulations bring us out to Norbury Park. We are unsure where to go but spy a steep entrance to Druids Grove. Some more dog-walkers advise that we dont want to go down there because it is steep and narrow and has a large drop off the edge of the trail. Hang on, that's exactly the type of trail we want to ride. We gain a bit more height first though and after a pause at the viewpoint head down Druid's Grove which is indeed all the lady promised us! This turns out to be very reminiscent of the infamous Russell's backyard trail near Avoriaz/Morzine. Whilst it was very slippery today this looks well worth a return visit in the dry. From here we head cross country to Rob's house near Dorking and after a welcome tea and cake Felix and I head for home although we still have the steep, steep climb of Pebble Hill to negotiate. Both of us manage it and we then cut through Walton on the Hill and back to Epsom Downs and then down the hill home to complete a pretty full morning's ride with loads of new trails discovered.
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MORE: Single
speeding
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February
2008
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