Ahead of this year’s AGM Chairman Candidate Peter Farnfield takes on the Experienced MTB ride from Warlingham,
These are his words.
Having agreed to go out with Colin and Gwyn ahead of the AGM I thought it prudent to get a little practice under my belt so took my new Specialised Hybrid (with 2 inch tyres but far more suited for the road) up Leith Hill via Abinger Roughs. With the weather so bright and the leaves on the beeches at their very best it was a brilliant way to kick start my limited re-acquaintance with off-roading. Mind you I did have second thoughts when I found myself alone, phoneless and feeling rather lacking on the experience front standing in front of what I later discovered was Redlands, a narrow rutted, root straddled, steep traverse. By now I had discovered that my rear tyre was not up to holding me back so when a Forestry Commission sign saying "Stop Go no further” appeared it was a welcome but cowardly excuse for turning back!
Anyway to cut this story short suffice to say that I did manage to get off the hill safely with the help of another rider from Leatherhead. We had a blast coming off the hill to Wotton Hatch and felt very proud of myself when I got some air. A quick trip to Head for the Hills enabled me to swap the front tyre for something a bit chunkier but I was stuck with the rear as the geometry restricted the size of tyre that I could fit.
However good I might have felt about this little outing I knew what lay ahead on Saturday morning was going to be quite different. The forecast was rubbish and it was and I was acutely conscious of the rear tyre. I did drop the pressure again but it was the anticipation of the chalky downloads around Warlingham that got my heart going.
So ten of us set off yesterday from Warlingham Green Car Park - Colin, Gwyn, Simon, Gilly B, Matt, Jim, Nick, Duncan and Fran.
The ride off the hill was pretty simple just wet tracks through the woods and whilst I could feel the rear wheel slip and slide beneath me it didn’t feel threatening. So far so good. But I knew it would only be a matter of time. I’d learned the day before from Roger in Head for the Hills that use only the rear brake on a descent (if you have to) and get the weight right back. I’d been quite the opposite on Leith Hill - a real rooky mistake. It was getting around downhill corners that I was having a certain amount of trouble with and oh yes the roots. I think it was the latter that got me off first. But it’s wet, it’s soft and it didn’t hurt so we were quickly on our way again.
“the next bit is a little technical, a rocky gully descent” says Colin. My imagination was far short of the reality. The recent rain had washed any loss soil away and all that was left were boulders and gullies. Now what was it that Simon had said about not following them? Here we go I thought taking it quite gingerly but my eyes were so shaken in their sockets I found it quite difficult to see my way down. Got forced to the left and had to dab (have I got the right word?) but down I got with a bit of a whoop I remember.
The bike seemed to be doing OK on the climbs and I felt I could hold my own (chasing Calvin and Matt up the hills has stood me in good stead after all). Next we had a long gentle descent along a narrow path that is referred to on Strava as Badger Tabletops. Again strewn with cross roots and an adverse camber I found it quite testing but I was finding many similarities with skiing. Let the bike run over the crap and look for good places to turn and/or brake. Confidence was building and with it our tea stop at the Poppy Cafe approached. A little cold indoors - the rads were off - but the bacon and egg sandwich was fab. At least it didn’t feel too cold by contrast when we went off again up Farthing Down Hill over the common. I don’t know this part of south London really and the combination of rural enclaves amongst the suburbs on steeply rolling downs was a revelation. Cattle were grazing as hefted our way into very chill northerly wind.
Pushing on through the woods we hit another descent and a right hand turn in the middle of which as a large puddle and on the far side a rock. I glanced off the right hand side and ploughed straight into the adjacent bramble bush tearing my light waterproof. I’d already recognised that it had been a stupid choice and thought I’d get away with it. Not to be. I’m sure there were one or two other instances when I was caught out in too low a gear approaching a particularly knotty root but that was small beer and all part of the fun.
Gravelly Hill was the first road that I recognised but that was short lived as we approached a bit where I was advised to go my own way. Just drop down beside the staircase and swing left avoiding the cliff-like drop on the right. By now I should say I was riding Matt’s bike so had adequate rear tyre. First bit was OK let the bike run under minimal braking but as I swung left I probably hit the front brake and uncovering the hidden roots took a tumble followed by a loud hissing from the front tyre. I’d somehow managed to get a twig rammed between the bead and rim and being tubeless the air was quick escaping. Matt soon had it fixed and we stopped for a photo at the bottom of the slope I’d been told to avoid. Thank God. I take my hats off to you guys for not only is it very steep but there is little room in which to stop between the tree and steps. Oh yes Simon did come off so I wasn’t the only one to fall today! Sorry Simon.
Colin looked forward to another stretch; “there’s a left-hander with a great little berm that you can use to get your around. Well it wasn’t too obvious and being a little less than fully committed to the corner overshot into the bushes but held on and came out again still on two wheels. Time for another Whoop!
We were nearing the end of the ride but we had a long fast chalky descent toward Woldingham Golf Course. Time to try out the “Speed is your Friend” maxim. Mud splattering my face I was feeling like a real mountain biker, talking to myself to keep relaxed I let the bike run. It works, it works. But I so nearly came a cropper when the two sleeping policemen reared their heads. The first runs diagonally across the road and I hit it hard. Thank God the wheel held firm. There was a bang as the suspension bottomed out but I was over. The second one isn’t so bad but failed to bunnyhop that too but hitting it square I got over OK.
Up the hill by the golf course was a good heart starter and we were on the way home. 23 miles has never seemed so long but what a great day. What’s more we finished with beer at the Horse Shoe. I could do more of this.
My impressions? These guys have got b…s of steel and brave hearts. And I know they weren’t even doing half of what they could be doing. Huge respect and many thanks for taking me out. It was challenging and more visceral than road riding. You don’t often get faced by a descent where you think how the hell am I going get down that. But lots of thrills (and spills) new places found and despite the wind and rain great fun.
One other revelation - you use the roads to recover and are very social times on the ride. What a contrast.
See you all again I hope.