Eight people gathered in wootton hatch car park and the first thing they said
was 'where's Mike?'. The answer, nursing a cold. So the ride leader had turned
into helen.
Not perturbed and after a short welcome to two new riders Alan and Kay we set
off on a twenty two mile loop to Peaslake via The Roughs and Shere. After
crossing the railway line we made our way up to Hurtwood via larch valley and
'Colin, break your collar bone' trail, Well to be correct, that trail no longer
exists, obliterated by extensive logging through out the area. It's incredible
how nature heals the destruction man inflicts on it, the great scars made by the
massive logging vehicles tyres is now covered in Lush greenery.
We cycled across the top of Hurtwood using sweeping singletrack, snaking
through the trees and undergrowth to supernova and a great descent to a welcome
drink made by Trudy at the village stores.
Tea was consumed at the bus stop with people opting to sit in the shelter so
they could have some shelter from the heat of the sun. The final section of the
ride saw us make our way up to Pitch via as much singletrack as we could find.
As we rode we became increasingly aware of the intensity of the sun on our back.
A quick blast down a nicely flowing YP was just what the doctored ordered before
the climb up to the Tower.
All was going well until a rather dramatic noise informed us that Sylvans seat
bolt had just sheared through. This was the signal to say farewell to Sylvan
who ended up with approx a 4mile road ride back to the car with no saddle.
The rest of us had a lovely ride back to some very welcome drinks at the pub via
old summer lightning and Wolverns lane.
I have to say it was a perfect mtbers day, good company, sun on our backs, well
running trails and leisurely drinks at the end.