Grevious Andy

Date: 13th May
Riders: Andy, AM Tom, Dave, Mark2, Rich
Location: Ranmore

An evening ride of anticipation - Tom because he finally has his Orange 5, resplendent in electric blue and for Andy as it is his first taste of the gnarly Ranmore trails. We muster at the Pilgrim, a deliberate move as we've all agreed this is a most excellent post-ride hostelry and cast envious glances at Tom's new steed as he explains the importance of his Hope upgrade package and braided hoses....

Up the Pilgrims Way to the top of Grevious Angel - we try to break the top section down into manageable chunks for Andy and Tom - first up the kicker and log jump into a tight left handed berm. All manage this, Tom with some style as the 5 demonstrates its AM capabilities.

Next up is the platform drop - now this is tricky, picture if you can a man made 3ft platform which drops onto a steep off camber slope, firing the rider down into a deep and steep berm. Mark, Dave and I who have ridden this a few times go first and then Tom makes a decent fist of it on his first attempt. Next up is Andy and as the pressure builds he refuses on the edge before walking back up for a second go. This time the commitment is there but not the speed or body position and he tips forward over the edge in slomo, landing smack on the top of his head. The bike catapaults forward, slamming into a tree and taking the full force on the handlebars. Andy is down and we're not even laughing, it looked that serious. He's hurt his nose and head but after a few minutes is ready to carry on.

We decide that the 2nd section of Grevious Angel should be left for another day and proceed up to Ranmore, across the open field and bridleways and then through some twisty fun singletrack which we discovered a couple of weeks ago. Onto the log pile section and across the road to Abba Zabba. Andy has recovered sufficiently to want to do the top bit twice and we then carry on down the steep roll ins. I come to grief on the final "round the tree" section, losing the line and ending up on the deck.

We then climb the road to the top of Reformation where Dave makes bold claims about doing the drop and double but is talked out of it by Mark2!

We tackle Numbskull, Blind Terror and the off camber end of Reformation before climbing back up again to do some extra bits.

Andy seems fully recovered and enjoys the technical challenges and we finish with the field bridleway and footpath route back to The Pilgrim in Dorking.

Refreshed by ale we fire up their patio heater and talk of upgrades and body armour!