On a bright and brisk Saturday morning, there was a limited enthusiasm for riding from the regular members of the team - excuses ranged from hangovers, broken bikes, snowed in in Aspen, football through to concerns over the weather (!) - so OTH was represented by Dunnie, with my mate Dave 'Vermin' Wilson and his lovely fiancee Alice. We set off from Holmbury car park at a liesurely 0915, Dave on his trusty Trek Top Fuel, and Alice on her new bike (bought for her by Dave, who, being a cheapskate, had not invested in disc brakes...). It soon became apparent that Dave's Army Physiotherapist approach to his beloved's first proper MTB ride was somewhat louder than we would be used to, with the early morning peace being rent by his 'encouragement' to her... a 'beasting' would be more accurate, and soon I was feeling guilty at my perhaps optimistic choice of route.
Having warmed up on the easy tracks uphill, we hit BKB from the Hurtwood Control car park. As usual, it was 'moist' with no shortage of mud, even if it was well crisped over by frost, and we needed frequent pauses to allow Alice to re-clip in and get her balance perfected. A good run down the latter half of BKB, and a decision to forgo tea and cakes in Peaslake, was followed by a climb back up the bridleway to take in a gloopy Yoghurt Pots, and an equally mucky Telegraph Road, with some good speed on the last 2/3s, and a really impressive over-the-bars faceplant by Dave, reminiscent of Simon's best endeavours! A quick transit through the woods and final rooty downhill finish saw a short ride ended. Hats off to Alice, with a good performance 1st time out, and I think that Dave will be joining us again for future rides (and likely our Wales trip).
Those who planned to go out on Sunday (lashing with rain) will have missed a great day on Saturday - and for a change I managed to lead the way with no 'navigational embarrassment'....
See you in mid-March, if Idon't break anything else 'boarding in Norway...
Dunnie
A quick ride through the Surrey Hills with a group of 40 something mtbers who really should know better!
Monday 22 February 2010
Friday 12 February 2010
Nocturnal Mutterings...
Date: February 12th
Riders: XC Tom, Mark2, Dave2, Rich
Location: Box Hill & Leatherhead Common
The first night ride of 2010 and indeed the first one for at least a couple of months. It was very chilly but dry as we set off from The Star, through Denbies towards Box Hill.
Dave was sporting a new rear shock which happily doesn't deflate on contact with cold air, one of the other benefits of which is that Dave now pops off everything like a scalded kangaroo, getting tons of air seemingly at will - I wish I could do that!
Determined to put in a respectable effort on the infamous Box Hill climb I sat in Dave's wheeltracks and let him winch me up. I had thought this would guarantee a great time but I was disappointed to only knock 5 seconds off my PB (9.25 in case you were wondering!).
Following a recovery breather we weaved our way over the top of Box Hill to the start of China Pig which was running very nicely without the hazard of wet roots for once. Down to Juniper Bottom where Tom said he'd show us an "easy" road route to the start of Alsation - well it didn't feel that easy to the rest of us!
Onto Alsation which was running great and then along the A24 for a little bit. At Mickleham Tom suggested we take the off road route and promised "no more climbing" as we started to feel the pace. As usual this was not a statement based entirely on fact and I think Tom could feel our collective ire as we hit a 1 in 2 climb immediately!
We eventually wound our way back past the Stepping Stones pub at Westhumble and followed the bridleway back into Dorking. Due to various committments we gave the pub a swerve for once but at least no bike cleaning was required!
Riders: XC Tom, Mark2, Dave2, Rich
Location: Box Hill & Leatherhead Common
The first night ride of 2010 and indeed the first one for at least a couple of months. It was very chilly but dry as we set off from The Star, through Denbies towards Box Hill.
Dave was sporting a new rear shock which happily doesn't deflate on contact with cold air, one of the other benefits of which is that Dave now pops off everything like a scalded kangaroo, getting tons of air seemingly at will - I wish I could do that!
Determined to put in a respectable effort on the infamous Box Hill climb I sat in Dave's wheeltracks and let him winch me up. I had thought this would guarantee a great time but I was disappointed to only knock 5 seconds off my PB (9.25 in case you were wondering!).
Following a recovery breather we weaved our way over the top of Box Hill to the start of China Pig which was running very nicely without the hazard of wet roots for once. Down to Juniper Bottom where Tom said he'd show us an "easy" road route to the start of Alsation - well it didn't feel that easy to the rest of us!
Onto Alsation which was running great and then along the A24 for a little bit. At Mickleham Tom suggested we take the off road route and promised "no more climbing" as we started to feel the pace. As usual this was not a statement based entirely on fact and I think Tom could feel our collective ire as we hit a 1 in 2 climb immediately!
We eventually wound our way back past the Stepping Stones pub at Westhumble and followed the bridleway back into Dorking. Due to various committments we gave the pub a swerve for once but at least no bike cleaning was required!
Sunday 7 February 2010
To Leith and back
Date : 6th February 2010
Riders : Rich, Andy, XC Tom
Area : Leith Hill
A cold morning arrived, and Rich and Tom had already decided to push for the Lance Armstrong esque route that is Dorking to Coldharbour (ok, so it's a slight exaggeration, but it is a steep climb!!). Tom and I arrived at Rich's, and after much faffing about with shock air levels (me included) we set off to pick up Dave on the way. Arriving at Dave's, he met us at the door, looking like he'd just got out of bed, and telling us he needed to change his brake pads... but thought that was all. We all agreed, the 3 of us would ride on then meet him later on “the Hill” somewhere.
So with the steely determination of an Everest mountaineer on his final push to the summit, we set off for Coldharbour. We made good progress up the road, with me resting in XC Tom's slipstream – no idea whether it helped, but I kept up – with Rich falling a little way behind – something to do with the beers the night before I think.
We rested briefly at Coldharbour before pushing on to Leith, up the trail and towards the start of summer lightening. The usual seatpost drop, and we were off, looking ahead, not at the trail, and pumping the bike, not braking in the corners, but still not getting quite enough speed to launch over the last jump before the second section. A brief pause and we were off again racing through the next piece of trail, which flowed well considering the conditions. With Summer lightening behind us, we headed off to the tower taking in the “Bracken Trail” (Does it have a name?), whose level of bracken generally meant you couldn't actually see the trail!! Off to the top of the tower, with Tom leading the way, in his usual XC head down type way (despite wearing his humvee baggies!!), and missing all the fun trails off the sides!!
Up to the tower for a well deserved cup of tea, and a slice of date and marmalade cake... lovely! Tom lusted over a green Orange 5, and got talking to the chap who owned it – thus cementing his longing and determination to purchase one!!
Off we set for a bit of a play, finding a a serious kicker to session. Rich went first, but not much air was had. Tom went next, and very impressively looked as though he went vertically upwartds and landed vertical on his back wheel before the front dropped down. A few inches further back and he would have been on his back!!! Despite Tom feeling he was in control we decided the kick was too severe, and re-shaped it in expert fashion, allowing us to session it with confidence!!! A few more drops and jumps of varying skill, and we headed back to the tower. On to personal hygiene and up no cycles, at which point I decided to take on a puddle at slow speed which was much deeper than you could see!!! My front wheel disappeared up to it's hub, sending me slowly and gracefully into the air, and just pausing at the vertical point, for what seemed like minutes, before unceremoniously ditching me over the handlebars. I somehow managed to stay on my feet, but as a consequence received a seat up the arse!!! After a few minutes heavy breathing and huffing and puffing, I was able to rest back on the bike and we were off. Back on the trail to Coldharbour.
Hitting the road at Coldharbour, we enjoyed the 30mph shoot down towards Dorking, and bumping into Dave en route (remember Dave!!). He'd only just sorted out his brakes, and a couple of other things, and seemed to have found 3 other riders to go off with. They were heading to Peaslake!!! In this weather? So we wished them luck, and set off on a little off road before hitting the main road back to Dorking. At 36mph on the road Tom, leading the way, thought is would be funny to allow some water to escape from his mouth, as Rich found to his cost!!!! Oh how we all laughed!!!!
Back to Rich's place, thankfully all in one piece, to meet Mark2 just arriving home. His bike has been in the wars, so wasn't able to make it, but we let him know what a good time we had anyway!!
Riders : Rich, Andy, XC Tom
Area : Leith Hill
A cold morning arrived, and Rich and Tom had already decided to push for the Lance Armstrong esque route that is Dorking to Coldharbour (ok, so it's a slight exaggeration, but it is a steep climb!!). Tom and I arrived at Rich's, and after much faffing about with shock air levels (me included) we set off to pick up Dave on the way. Arriving at Dave's, he met us at the door, looking like he'd just got out of bed, and telling us he needed to change his brake pads... but thought that was all. We all agreed, the 3 of us would ride on then meet him later on “the Hill” somewhere.
So with the steely determination of an Everest mountaineer on his final push to the summit, we set off for Coldharbour. We made good progress up the road, with me resting in XC Tom's slipstream – no idea whether it helped, but I kept up – with Rich falling a little way behind – something to do with the beers the night before I think.
We rested briefly at Coldharbour before pushing on to Leith, up the trail and towards the start of summer lightening. The usual seatpost drop, and we were off, looking ahead, not at the trail, and pumping the bike, not braking in the corners, but still not getting quite enough speed to launch over the last jump before the second section. A brief pause and we were off again racing through the next piece of trail, which flowed well considering the conditions. With Summer lightening behind us, we headed off to the tower taking in the “Bracken Trail” (Does it have a name?), whose level of bracken generally meant you couldn't actually see the trail!! Off to the top of the tower, with Tom leading the way, in his usual XC head down type way (despite wearing his humvee baggies!!), and missing all the fun trails off the sides!!
Up to the tower for a well deserved cup of tea, and a slice of date and marmalade cake... lovely! Tom lusted over a green Orange 5, and got talking to the chap who owned it – thus cementing his longing and determination to purchase one!!
Off we set for a bit of a play, finding a a serious kicker to session. Rich went first, but not much air was had. Tom went next, and very impressively looked as though he went vertically upwartds and landed vertical on his back wheel before the front dropped down. A few inches further back and he would have been on his back!!! Despite Tom feeling he was in control we decided the kick was too severe, and re-shaped it in expert fashion, allowing us to session it with confidence!!! A few more drops and jumps of varying skill, and we headed back to the tower. On to personal hygiene and up no cycles, at which point I decided to take on a puddle at slow speed which was much deeper than you could see!!! My front wheel disappeared up to it's hub, sending me slowly and gracefully into the air, and just pausing at the vertical point, for what seemed like minutes, before unceremoniously ditching me over the handlebars. I somehow managed to stay on my feet, but as a consequence received a seat up the arse!!! After a few minutes heavy breathing and huffing and puffing, I was able to rest back on the bike and we were off. Back on the trail to Coldharbour.
Hitting the road at Coldharbour, we enjoyed the 30mph shoot down towards Dorking, and bumping into Dave en route (remember Dave!!). He'd only just sorted out his brakes, and a couple of other things, and seemed to have found 3 other riders to go off with. They were heading to Peaslake!!! In this weather? So we wished them luck, and set off on a little off road before hitting the main road back to Dorking. At 36mph on the road Tom, leading the way, thought is would be funny to allow some water to escape from his mouth, as Rich found to his cost!!!! Oh how we all laughed!!!!
Back to Rich's place, thankfully all in one piece, to meet Mark2 just arriving home. His bike has been in the wars, so wasn't able to make it, but we let him know what a good time we had anyway!!
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