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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.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
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.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
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 
It thought last week's turnout of 13 riders was impressive but I hadn't organised that ride and anyway we were tagging onto another group. But that was beaten today as we had a massive group of 16 riders turn up for the return visit to the fun spots of Ranmore Common and beyond and one additional rider overslept and missed us. What's more we didn't lose any riders this time and there were zero punctures suffered. The trail conditions were similar to last week and slightly drier if anything as we headed out of the car park at Bockett's Farm and onto the local bridalways. The group was too large to do introductions and so we left it to riders to chat to each other as we made our way round the trails. Suffice to say that it was the first time two forum luminaries in Rob and Andy (Ghostrider) had ever met despite being on dozens of rides over the last few years. It was quickly established that there were two distinct fitness levels in the group with me hovering somewhere in no man's land depending on whether we were climbing or descending. Tony showed us all up by singlespeeding it the whole way on his new Orange frame leading from the front and usually managing to be at the top of every climb first too. Onto Abba Zabba and Blind Terror and all the other testing trails around there and much fun ensued. I think John and Tim who had bumped into us in the car park and decided to tag along thought we were mad as we threw ourselves down the trails, sometimes making it to the bottom but sometimes crashing and burning although no one hurt themselves. Once past that section it was a fair few XC miles with plenty of climbing to keep the XC whippets happy but also lots of fun descents with the final flourish of Druid's Grove and then Colin's rooty descent to keep us happy. A fast paced ride that had some riders hanging off the back of the peleton but a great work out and it stayed dry all day. I also managed to shoot over 80 pictures and have sorted out the best ones for you below. Right, that's me sorted for the week as I am off to Gibraltar tomorrow for 5 days with work. The forecast is 20°C and sunny. Shame I can't take the bike with me.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
Date:
27th
April
2008
Riders: Richard and a combined group of 40 riders Redhill, Reigate Hill and surrounding area Weather: 15.5°C
A ride organised by Rich F and starting at Redhill railway station turned into a monster event with 40 riders turning up including a number of the regular domtb riders. With a group this size, things were bound to be a bit slow but a few too many mechanicals found Rob leading a breakaway group. I stuck with it and like to think I got a few got shots with the camera. Let me know what you think.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
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December
2011
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photos and content copyright of Richard Sear 1999 to 2012 | ||||||||
