After returning from a 3 week holiday with temperatures reaching 28 degrees C and missing a lot of the bad weather in the UK, the thought of cycling in the rain was not something I was looking forward to.
Not expecting a good turnout because of all the rain I phoned our new tea stop the Coach House Café on Coombe lane and told them to expect 10ish muddy riders in need of tea and cake.
I left my house Saturday morning in full water proofs prepared for the worst with even a spare pair of gloves and jersey in my camelbac.
Pulling into the car park at Warlingham and to my amazement 19 riders eagerly waiting for a muddy adventure.
It was nice to see some new faces Mike and Stuart who, by the end of the ride clearly making the grade and capable of anything put in front of them.
The Intermediate billing brought Mat out on his bright green cycle cross which made me think for a while of how many root invested trails and steps I could slip in to the ride to test his cycle cross abilities! But just like our newbie’s Mat was capable of anything I put in front of him.
We set off towards Kings wood taking the short bridleway path at the back of Hamsey Green Playing fields, this was now no longer a path but a river giving us a good indication of things to come.
Already with forty wet feet we headed through Kings Wood where Phil S had a mechanical and thought he may have to take an early bath but with some help for Redhills official mechanic Mat! Within a few minutes were on our way heading up to Selsdon woods.
Aled pushed on in front showing off his skills he had polished up in Sheffield, sliding the back out and drifting on all the corners.
I could hear Simon W heavy breathing behind me on his single speed as we climbed up to the top of Littleheath Woods; we were all finding the going tough even with gears let alone only the one!
At the top with no sign of rain the waterproof jackets were off and were exchanged for the light wind breakers. The run down the other side was fun with both wheels sliding on every bend and yours truly losing the font end taking one corner a little too tight.
The short and usually easy climb out of Littleheath saw many walkers as traction was near impossible.
The run down to Croham Hurst saw one puncture and as the time was rolling on we decided to head up to our tea stop cutting the front half of our ride a little short. Mat waited with the punctured rider as I lead the rest of the group up to The Coach house Café who had kindly reserved some tables and were not the slightest concerned we were covered head to toe in mud!. The food and service at the café was first class and even though every table was taken (with twenty riders not 10 as expected) we never waited more than a few minutes for our orders.
After our stop we climbed up to Addington Hills taking a wrong turn into a tricky rooty technical section (one to remember for next time) and then the technical descent from view point where the only thing putting the bright green cycle cross off were the riders stopping in front!
A short wait for the back markers at the entrance to Pinewood, Rob and Jon keeping each other company gassing like a couple of old women and we were off over the slippery roots in between the mud saturated trails of the Pine.
Through Kennel Wood an enthusiastic Aled was still pushing off in front flipping his back wheel out at every opportunity (oh to be 18 again) but often taking the wrong turn!
The steady trail back up towards Addington Village had turned into a stream which added to the fun of picking the right line and finding the best traction, my strategy was to just follow Aled!
After a long road section up Featherbed lane we paused for a few minutes at the bottom of Frith Wood. Now at 12.45 there was no way we were going to be back by 1pm and it was quite clear on everyone’s face that the tough conditions had taken its toll, Cheryl and Moji reminding me it was an Intermediate ride convincing me to take the shortest route back.
There are three ways up to Farleigh from this point, Frith Wood, Frylands Wood or Crabs wood. I decided to take the Frylands wood option as this climb was not to severe and no horses frequent the area churning up the mud making traction harder to find.
Before we set off Moji swapped bikes with Mat to see what all the fuss was about! The dropped handled bars, skinny tyres and no suspension!!! It didn’t take long for the cries of “give me my bike back your mad”!
Once at the top it was clear I made the wrong decision! The field that joins Frylands wood to Little Farleigh green was like a paddy field! It was like cycling trough tar; Jason gave a good effort setting the pace closely followed by Phil, Simon and Aled. This was a case of head down; clear the mind of pain and think of the end!
I tried to picture the gate at the end of the field but could only think about my 3 week holiday romance with my sun lounger Maria and my close friend San Miguel who never left my side…!
I was ruined and this was Rehab! ……It's not just my pride… It's just 'til these tears have dried…They tried to make me go to Rehab but I said, 'No, no, no.!!!!
As we regrouped at the Green there were talks of walkers but apparently this was harder and slower than peddling, if anyone had any energy left the paddy field had taken the lot and as big Rob appeared from the trees his face said it! But we loved every minute!
It was now get back to Warlingham in the most direct route so Holt wood was our escape plan and then tarmac all the way. A lot of drafting was taking place with a peloton of 20 muddy riders flying down the Limpsfield Road….now that must have looked good?
Thanks to Dave for back marking and everyone who turned up.
This was a day where the rain never came, it was a day where the sun came out all be it for a few minutes, it was a day that tyre choice made a difference, it was a day that smiling was mandatory and if you did not have a smile on your face then you were not on my ride but a mere spectator or dog walker (maybe the one up Bramley Bank!)
This was a day for Rehab and I’m addicted and want….More…. More.. More!
Colin