More snow

....And it was snowy in Redhill with white out conditions at the top of Reigate Hill with the low cloud. Tip - if you want really clean tyres go for a spin in the snow!

Heavy Powder, Dude!

So finally we get some snow - just over 4" in South Nutfield. A quick spin around the village footpaths, and of course, the first snow pic on the blog this winter!

Dunnie

Pitch-ure diary

With a hazy dawn beckoning, the camera was packed for an early morning ride out on Pitch Hill with Rich and Andy. The climb up from CP3 ended in some atmospheric shots against the rising sun, before heading down the topmost "Rat-run" trail.

The going was surprisingly good - despite the mid-week downpour. Encouraged, it was backup to session the gully jumps that "Dave the spade" has been fettling over recent weeks. A few action shots, and a chance to revisit the jump where I smashed my bike up last week

- a quick look, nothing more!

Andy demonstrating Zen like poise, whilst Rich takes the opportunity to surreptitiously straighten up a wonky tree!

...just slightly more focussed than the camera. The landing was not as stylish.!

Rich checks out the launch pad....

...before take off through the trees.

After larking about for a bit, it was just a few short steps up from the gullies to the familiar "log jump" trail.

With the landing zones sorted (does this Dave character ever sleep..?) there's certainly plenty of fun to be had.

After our fill of jumping around, it was one more slog to the top and back down the last and most direct route - a root-fest that Rich has dubbed "the bridle path!"

The Pitch-to-Windmill trails now exhausted (not to mention me) we headed over to the other side of Pitch to a fantastic two-stager (ask Rich the name - "Smooth... something??").

The lower section had seen some recent rehab, (probably Dave again..?) including some fantastic kickers and berms - we had to go back for a second run.

Rich, with the afterburners on...

Getting some lean on for the camera...

Making mountains out of molehills... The 'Scrub' is still some way off!

"Look Ma...no gloves!" Rich getting back to basics.

Andy sends it down the trail.

Last stop was over to "Huggy Bear" for a final blast. Though with legs and brains a little tired the inevitable spill just had to happen.

Rich eventually doing the honors, and proving you do not need to fall far, to proper hurt yourself. Taking a gouge out of his shin and adding a final flourish of claret to the rusts and greens of the morning.

This shot really does NOT do justice to what was a nasty hole in the leg. Note to self - leave the blood running!

Hope it heals up quickly mate!

Until next time,

D.

Nukeproof Mega 2012

It's ordered!! Delivery estimate 26th January 2012!

Klunkerz

Ok, I dont want to show off but I've been restoring this little gem and I might be prepared to take it down deliverance!

Tom

Klunkerz

In case you haven't heard we're starting a Klunker movement - not good news for the local bike shops or Chain Reaction. Here's Mark2 and my offerings. I took my '94 Marin up and down the road having replaced the rear brake pads - I'm sure you'd like me to wax lyrical about old skool values and how 6 inches of travel in the Surrey Hills is ridiculous - but frankly it was terrifying!

Let's see yours!

Catch of the Day

Here are some screen captures of today's riding... some cool.... and some not so cool =)

Just the two of us...

Date : 12th November 2011
Location : Leith Hill
Riders : Dunnie, Grievous Andy

So winter has really arrived!! :( The trails are wet and muddy. The two of us met at Coldharbour and took in the top section of Summer Lightning, and the downhill section of Summer Lightning, before heading up to the tower. Trip down Donny Darco and then the long push back up followed by Windy Willows. All trails are now wet, slippy, muddy and holding us back - not the lovely flowing summer trails we have been used to.

Back to the tower and a quick tea stop - then down Personal Hygiene up to No Cycles - to find it blocked at the end - ruined the flow really!! Bomb holes and then Deliverance. We had to do Deliverance.... there were about 10 bikers waiting at the top, looking, deciding, thinking that they wouldn't do it on a hard tail... so Dunnie and I arrived.... and bombed straight down it - without looking back! Sorted!!

Regurgitator.... and back to Coldharbour! A nice jaunt, if filthy!!

Dubstep Mountain Biking

I was getting a bit low on enthusiasm with all the rain we've been having in the last two weeks.

So here's a drummed up video of our last ride, enjoy!

Mmmm Zesty.....

I recently sold my Transition frame and forks, having decided that at 43 and a half I probably wasn't ever going to do the kind of dirt jump and slopestyle riding the bike was built for. Obviously this created a problem as I was down to 2 Nicolais, a part built hardtail and lots of nice components. Resourceful as ever I hit upon a fiendish plan - I'd buy another frame and build up a winter XCish bike. My choice would depend on being able to get hold of a used frame which would match my 150mm Revelation forks. I considered the Trek EX8 (couldn't find one), The Orange 5 (a touch too industrial for my liking - sorry Tom), The Santa Cruz Blur or Butcher (too expensive) or a Lapierre Zesty. Luckily for me a warranty replacement unused Zesty 514 frame (the one with the carbon rear end) came up on Singletrackworld. A weak negotiation from me followed and a few days later here she is!
Obviously my build is geared towards some "wheels off the ground" riding - 710mm bars, a 50mm stem, 1x9 gearing with a chain device and heavy Mavic downhill rims.
First impressions are great, the geometry is nice and slack, the bike is light and snappy and easy to pop - everything they say in those silly magazines in fact.