The Fast and the Furious

Another glorious day for a cycle. Early morning fresh and bright, we met at Hurtwood control carpark 9 for a quick blast around Holmbury and Pitch. Today there were 5 of us, and Mark had brought his helmet cam, for some on trail video action. We set off for the top of Holmbury and made good progress. Quick divert to Hurtwood control car park 1 and then onto the top of Reservoir dogs. We've had so much dry weather over the last few weeks, the trails are nice and dry... if a little dusty. Reservoir dogs under our belts we arrived at the top of Barry Knows Best. On with the helmet cam! We tackled Barry Knows Best at speed, taking in every opportunity to get some air – all caught on helmet cam..... probably! We all made it down BKB in one piece and arrived at the road into Peaslake. Just as I was about to drop from the trail to the road, I was deafened by a roadie shouting at the top of his voice.... Easy man – did he think I was going to ride into him? I think the lycra had softened his head!!!

We dropped into Peaslake and around onto Pitch – heading straight for the top. Close to the top we took a little divert to the little jump double. We spent a good 10 or 15 minutes practising the jumps. This was the first time I'd attempted these jumps and it felt good. My head was in the zone... and by the looks of things so was everyone elses!!! We all completed about 3 or 4 attempts - videos of our efforts on the youtube link. After our fill we headed to the top of Pitch to admire the view.

Off again, down the steep descent which leads to the Windmill Pub. Lots of rear wheel sliding and off track lines saw us arrive at the bottom. Mark took a tumble – with the head cam not running!!! Bugger!!! Off from the pub and over to the hill to take us up to Winterfold wood. Arriving at the hill, there were roadies climbing up. Roadie after roadie after roadie.... we just had to join the throng. Crouching in behind, our speed was actually being held back by the roadies!!!! So much so, that Dave decided to take them on, Dropping a gear, he pulled out and pedalled – easily overtaking about 3 in one go. Looking fresh and upright, he reminded me of the Harry Enfield sketch with the horse riders – you know the one!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jf55VDSi-E (the second part of this)

Onto winterfold wood we tackled the big bomb holes – great fun. Mark 2 fell off this time – on the last dip – but managed to stay on his feet. Got back on the horse that threw him and did it again. We tackled a few trails in Winterfold and then headed back towards Peaslake. Rich found a nice little drop into the Pitch hill car park. He'd seen it on video and wanted to give it a go!! It was steep. There was an easier route down, but we spend a good 5 minutes inspecting the alternatives, and figuring how we might do it. Rich bit the bullet and went of it, dropping off the edge. Now usually I see Rich doing a drop and think.. “he makes it look so easy! I could probably do that!”. Today was not that day. Although great respect to Rich for doing the drop.... he did ride his front wheel a little, managing not to go over the handlebars though!!! Given he looked a little raggedy, I decided I wouldn't be doing that route today.... and so did everyone else. So we took the girl's route down – which was still impressively steep, but smoother and no big drop.

We stopped in Peaslake for the obligatory cup of tea, and caught a few nice tanned pins on a couple of female roadies too... which was nice! Once we'd had our tea and flapjack we went looking for a new way up to the top of Holmbury, rather than the usual Radnor road route. We found it, and agreed it was much better. Up to the top of Holmbury, we took a swift breather, and then headed down Yoghurt Pots. There's been a lot of work on this trail in recent months, and with the weather keeping it dry, the trail was truly enjoyable. Mark 2 took a tumble coming out of the trail – not sure how... it was flat!!!

Last trail was telegraph, and we flew. The trail was dry and fast. Half way down we had a nice audience of other bikers, watching our skills, our speed, our technique and our physique..... probably!!! Down to the car park and ready for home. A good 3 hour blast.