When I arrived at the Reigate Hill car park there were a few riders huddled up against the side of the cafe sheltering from a heavy shower. Luckily it was over fairly quickly and it was dry for the whole ride. By 09:30 quite a large number had gathered and Matt set off with his group on their faster ride.
The remaining ten of us headed off at a slightly more sedate pace towards Walton on the Hill via the golf course then across to Headley via Sandhill Wood and under the motorway to avoid the Tye Lane mud bath. Then it was up Langley Lane to Stane Street and down across Mickleham Down and the slippery descent to Headley Road. One or two people were caught out by the wet chalk but no serious injuries. The thought of National Trust cakes at Box Hill was a great incentive to push us up the climb of Juniper Bottom via the Whitehill car park.
During the tea stop Fran got busy patching up Mike’s arm after his incident coming down from Mickleham Down and afterwards she lured four of the group into joining her on an alternative return route with the promise of more miles. Full of cake and caffeine, the remaining famous five made our way down to the bottom of the Zig Zag by various routes i.e. rough bridleway, on the grass, and even down the road. All arrived at the bottom in one piece and we headed off along Pixham Lane and the Coach Road to Flanchford Road where another escapee headed off towards Reigate while four of us turned up Colley Lane and made our way back to the car park. However, Mike and Greg disappeared on the way and by the time we got back to the car park there was only Mark and me left. About 22 miles altogether.
Gwyn
Event / Article Type
MTB Intermediate - Reigate Hill
20130511 - Gwyn