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Date: 6th April 2008
Riders: Richard, Colin, Neill, Dave, Dave, Gary, Terry and Felix
Leith Hill
Weather: 1.0°C

 

We had planned a 3 hills ride starting from the Landslip car park but we woke to heavy snow falling which continued throughout the morning. The first cars arriving at the Landslip reported treacherous conditions so we moved the meet point to Westcott and about 30 minutes later we were ready to go, wrapped up against the conditions.

The trails were great fun in the snow although difficult to find in places and boggy below the snow in others. Everyone riding SPD's was struggling as the snow packed down in the the pedals making it impossible to clip in. I think Dave, the only one riding flats and the other Dave on crank brothers egg beaters had chosen the best pedals for the conditions. The snow was also packing down around the drivetrain making it difficult to change rings up front and my cable shifted meaning I only had one gear in the rear. Hey, singlespeed!

We also re-adjusted our plan to do the 3 hills and stuck to Leith Hill which was more than enough riding and more than enough comedy falls off the bike for everyone.

After a cup of tea and cake at the tower we had to unfreeze our wheels, they had literally frozen in place and the brake levers were frozen stiff too and we attempted Windy Willows but that was not going to happen so we headed down the long bridleway and then via Wolverns Lane and back to the cars to peel off the damp layers and warm up inside the cars.

I have been training mid-week on my turbo trainer and whilst I have spun for two hours over 3 evenings I have to admit that I didn't particularly feel the benefit today. But it's still early days and they were not normal conditions today so I am not disheartened and will keep you updated on my progress.

Gary Colin Dave Neill

Terry Colin Neill Dave

Dave Felix Dave Summer Lightning in the snow

Date: 13th April 2008
Riders: Richard, Colin, Dave, Gary, another Gary, Felix, Rob, Mat, Steve, Nyal and the muddymoles
Bockett's Farm, Ranmore Common, Box Hill and Leatherhead
Weather: 11.0°C

 

It's ten degrees warmer than last week but the weather is still best described as changeable as we hook up with the muddymoles for a guided ride round some of our local trails.

I am without transport again as my eldest, Sam's football season drags on and so I call a cab. Luckily for me it's driven by Gary, one of our regular riders who slots me and the two bikes into the back. No, I didn't tip him!

Starting at Bockett's Farm, Leatherhead at the frankly ridiculous time of 8-30 a.m. we are joined by Mat, new to the forum and out for his first ride with us and Nyal, who makes guest appearances every few months plus the aforementioned moles, Dave and Matt.

We set off on the local trails heading towards Ranmore Common with the promise of riding the hidden trails round there. These are yet another part of the Surrey Hills, North Downs trails that are named by regular riders and achieve almost legendary status on some of the cycling forums out there. So after pushing through the typical gloopy mud familiar to this side of the North Downs we reach Ranmore Common and are soon straight in to the trails we have all been talking about: Abba Zabba, Blind Terror (I and II) and Numbskull (this was one that wan't mentioned today but I rode the exact same route over Ranmore Common back in September 2003 with the singletrackworld south riders and I'm certain we tackled it again today).

Most people gave at least one of the challenging sections a go and with a group of 12 riders (one headed for home within 2 miles of the start after realising he was a bit out of his league) to egg you on most people stepped up a level today.

Special props to Dave who crashed spectacularly in front of everyone whilst attempting to ride a small kicker, getting it totally wrong and faceplanting with aplomb. Luckily I captured it on video and it will shortly be hosted n posted for your viewing pleasure.

Many more miles were ridden with numerous events e.g. losing Nyal for 45 minutes, refinding him in an unexpected place, crashes, racing down the descent near Denbies, Colin's barrel roll, pheasant pluckers, more crashes, comedy slides on Abba Zabba, thunder and lightning, mixing it with the roadies up Box Hill and the hidden singletrack across Headley Heath.

A truly awesome ride with 24+ miles covered for most and more for those who rode to the start. I really noticed the benefit of the turbo trainer this week (another two mid-week sessions) and I am looking forward to a repeat visit soon.

Dave and his Orange Gary and Gary snake-hips Rob on his On-One inbred 29'er Mat and another Orange

pissing in the wind Gary on Abba Zabba Felix on Abba Zabba MAt, new to the group and riding Abba Zabba

Mat, new to the group and err, oh well Gary and piss-pot Steve Mat, new to the group and watched by his peers

Colin and a great shot of how steep this roll-in is Rob and 29'er rain's a coming waiting for Godot, I mean Nyal

Dave on the Denbies descent Gary Mat Rob on Headley Heath

Felix ducks under the low hanging branch Colin Dave Nyal

Dave mole Mat and his super sweet Specialized Stumpjumper 2008 group shot me, muddy but happy

Rob and Felix Nyal

Date: 20th April 2008
Riders: Richard, Colin, Dave, Gary, Felix, Rob, Mat, John, Tim, Lee, Chris, Rich Lonegroover, Tony, yet another Richard,
Bockett's Farm, Ranmore Common, Druid's Grove and surrounding area
Weather: 13.0°C