20 riders turned up at Warlingham green on a bright Saturday morning, good to see Jon back after a long winter of Saturday morning football chauffeur duties and a certain over-keen DHer back from injury in North Wales. Also good to see Graham back… when you see cows sitting in a field, you know it’s going to rain, when Graham turns up for a ride you know it’s going to be dry!
We headed towards Kingswood for a bit of singletrack not yet used on a Redhill Ride, dropping down to Selsdon Vale and up into the nature reserve for a bit more single track with a tricky exit out into the bottom of Bears Wood.
Knowing this was going to be a long ride (longer than I thought) I tried to keep the pace up & headed up past Farleigh golf course and down to Featherbed Lane. After passing the scout hut we stopped at the bomb crater to watch Aled full of energy and nearly becoming close friends with a tree stump on his second lap!
After reaching the top we set off back down again! With a few KOM achievements on the popular and fast Frith Wood DH. The climb up Crabs Wood towards our tea stop at Knights Chelsham was dry and fast. 19 clean but sweaty riders (Terry home for an early bath) walked into our tea stop with 12 miles on the clock thinking they were half way through there ride! How wrong were they!!
After tea another rider bailed, Jon also taking an early bath, think he knew what was coming!
We all waited at the top of Woldingham golf course descent while Mat went ahead to set up for some action photos while Jason at the top was showing signs of excitement! Mat happened to pick the fastest point of the descent and just got a lot of blurs for his efforts.
When rewarded with a downhill you are always on pay back and that came a few minutes later with a long climb up Upland Road, the Up in Uplands gives that one away. Jason firing on all 4 steaming on ahead with Mat taking the bait. Once all at the top Mat pushed on in front again to get some action shots down a tight and over grown Titsey Single track but once more only blurs, blimey we must be fast!
We headed over to Oxted and through Broadham Green before stopping at the bottom of Jackass Lane for a short breather. It was like a scene from the Big Dog, you’ve never seen so many energy gels and bars come out! Some were feeling the miles so I tried to put minds at ease, “only two more climbs”! Forgot to mention they were 1300ft combined!
At Flower Lane we lost three more riders who did not fancy the extra climbs, Phil & Cheryl choosing the flatter option across Woldingham Girls School and Dave heading along the A25 back to Reigate.
The Climb up the bridle way that connects Flower Lane and Gangers Hill took its toll with a few dismounting and choosing to walk. A puncture at the top gave little rest but one more climb was still to come.
The ride through Great Church Wood and Woldingham Girls School descent was still enjoyable with Mat taking the only photo of the day in focus, just so happens it’s of me!!
As I rode up to Bug hill I was thinking do I take the tough off road section Butterfly Walk or the tough but not so tough road section Bug Hill? As I approached the turn off to Butterfly shouts from behind (Mat) “Butterfly, Butterfly” so butterfly it was! If anyone had any fuel left in the tank it was soon on empty when we reached the top.
The short road ride back to the car park took us past the White Lion PH at Warlingham Green and once again shouts from behind “Pint, Pint” could be heard! Not one to let my riders down I agreed to enter the public house for a glass of refreshments followed by 10 other riders. Not known for my pub ride finishes this did help in the recuperation of a few muscles so may consider doing this again in the future!
30 miles covered at an average speed of 9.6 with 2700ft of climbing, most of which was done in the last 15 miles. I’m sure you hated me around the 20 mile point but bet you felt good once you got home.
Thanks for everyone for turning up, thanks Mark for back marking you’re now excused for 12 months and thanks Mat for taking one decent photo!
See you next time
Colin