We were greeted with a glorious spring day on Saturday morning, perfect conditions, I could not have been luckier for my first ‘main ride’.
11 takers massed at the start for what was billed as a 'ride that will be shifting pretty quickly and tackling a lot of singletrack’. My GPS had decided to go on the blink so no pressure then!
3 of the 4 'Elite Riders' :) were making their way over from Reigate and were running late, there was a lot of ground to cover, we had to cut them loose, and set off promptly at 9:30.
With hunting out the best single track in mind, we made our way up towards the top of Pitch hill to take in one of the ‘T’ trails, when my phone rang - ‘where are you...’ I turned back to go and get the rider who shall remain nameless. Dave kindly took over the ride for a bit, he was kindly covering me anyway, in case my recent ailment got the better of me.
We meet back up with the ride more by luck than judgment, and made our way over to the quarry for the first technical trails, which were in the best condition you could hope for! Next a cheeky short climb up to the windmill, making our way onto Winterfold and up to Preachers Bench ready for the first fast downhill, which meets with the top of Jelly Hollow. Looping round and back to the next fast downhill, making our way to ‘Claw Hammer’ via another cheeky short climb and along the road to the start. A quick explanation of the reason for the name of the track, (you will have to come on my next ride to find out!) and off we went, with every one negotiating the claw.
Next onto ‘Surface of Mars’, which every one enjoyed, even the big gully at the end, which we all managed to conquer. Now a call from Mat and Stu who had recovered from brake problems, we arranged to meet at Barry’s.
Working our way off Winterfold via Super Nova, a nice technical trail with a drop off at the end. Back up Pitch to take in another ‘T’ trail and finally meeting up with Mat and Stu (we were doing laps of BKB. Oh, the tedium! - Mat).
On more familiar territory now around Holbury Hill, it would have been rude not to do ‘Yoghurt Pots’. By now a late tea break was on the cards, but had to show everyone ‘Surfer Rosa’ onto Telegraph Road, and down the technical descent into Holmbury for the long slog up High Ashes to Leith Hill for a welcome tea break at the tower.
Here we split and the Reigate lads went on their way home, taking in Summer Lighting of course! It was downhill most of the way apart from the final cheeky climb, then down Barry’s and into the car park for 1:30, few, only 22, miles but a long 22. I hope you all enjoyed the ride, still plenty more to show you, next time?
Julian