No Sunday Ride (Plague)

Well no ride as planned due to waking up at 2.30 AM and feeling as rough as a dog, so had to text Phil and Richard to let them know I was not going, then spent the last 2 days feeling sorry for myself.
Down south again as of tomorrow so will see if I feel up to it (Fingers crossed) for short sharp rides.

2nd Visit South

Well went down on Monday 24th, it took me 6 Hrs. Did not go out on the trails but decided to ride out to Denbies Vineyard on the outskirts of Dorking and visit the Lego house that T.V's James May is having built. Most impressive, but still not finished, hoping it will be completed next week when I am down again, I will update with new pictures.

On the Tuesday I went out for a quick blast and found 2 new trails, Waggle dance and Crooked Furrow, very quick and loads of fun especially trying to climb up the track in the picture on the Left. the 2 routes join to make a fun, short, quick circular blast in the woods not far from the Plough at cold Harbour.

Thursday I decided to go a little further on the unofficial track that continues after Summer lightning, this runs out about 1 Km further down the woods and runs onto the Byway that leads down to the A24, I followed the trail that others have set into the narrow woods on the Left hand side of the track, Good fun until I realised that I had about 3 mile climb back up to the top, so I decided to try and be clever and find a new way back. By this time it was 19.15 and starting to lose some light. Anyway ended up exploring some trails (unofficial) back up to the top of Leith Hill to the Tower .

Good fun and looking forward to next week.

Southern Sandy Single track

Well I did 2 evening rides on marked and some unmarked tails. The first was called "Summer Lightning" which is very twisty and rooty and a complete contrast to riding around the West Pennines and the Peaks, 2nd trail was a quick blast in the woods called "The regurgitator" pleasant name and very apt as it has you up and down very fast and around some very fast and tight switch backs which the old steel steed loved. With this riding you have to remember that trees do hurt and that whoever laid this singletrack down wanted you to feel as one with the tree's and if you do it fast enough you can see your rear wheel on some of the twisty tight rooty corners.

I am down there again next week and plan to do the same again and explore a little further afield

On a technical note I have had to change the Bottom bracket in my Steel steed after 8 1/2 Months so not too bad as it does get a thrashing.

Sundays Ride

Well got out and had a blast, we went to the reservoir off of Coal Pits track with the direction of Richard (middlebrookvalleytail) then over the bars on the way out as per the norm, then up coal pits and down the track at the back that goes to Belmont (Cheeky trail), this is a cracking down hill and requires every muscle and ounce of concentration that you can muster.

We met a group of lads at the bottom who were on posh full bouncers that they had on loan (Scott and a new Turner 5.5 frame) the latter being bike porn!

It was a great ride and in stark contrast to the riding down south in the woods and Bridleways of the South downs.

Hopefully out again Sunday but before that I have to go back down south for business so will be riding (fingers crossed) the Redland trails and Leith Hill, will update on my return with pictures and report.

Back from Holiday

Well, eventually made it to Graffham after the car decided to blow an inter cooler pipe which set us back 2 days but we made it on Wednesday.

Fantastic campsite, right in the middle of a wood so plenty of shelter and isolation.

Did not do allot of riding as spent time with the family but did find a quick 5 - 6 mile circuit around the surrounding hills and woods, great for an early morning blast to set you up for the day. It was fairly low but had some great techie rooty sections that you could take at speed and fly and blast for a laugh, very sandy though so bike had to be cleaned quite regular.

I took the 2 eldest on a short blast and had a whale of a time (as shown in pictures).

We are looking at going back as the weather was good and the surrounding area great for all abilities on the bike and walking is very easy and pleasant.