Diary of a Mountain Biker

Date: 4th February 2007
Riders: Richard, Richard too, Tim, Lee, Si, Nick, Roo, Felix, Andy & Emma
Pitch Hill
Weather: 6.5 °C

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

external bearing replacement

Goodridge hose replacement

dialled bikes rough ride

7 Stanes riding in Scotland

Single speeding
Swinley
Buy some night lights
South Downs MBR killer loop
Buy an MTB DVD
Chainsuck
Buy some night lights
Buy an MTB DVD
kit reviews

Untitled Document

Date: 11th February 2007
Riders: Richard, Rob, Orlando & Felix
Box Hill & Back
Weather: 10.0°C

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.