Summer Lightning

A local legend

Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride took place a day early. A couple of guys I used to work with were going out to Leith Hill after work so I tagged along. We basically just mucked about for 2-3 hours riding what looked good and trying Leith Hill's 'Summer Lightning' trail. The trail was good but there is just so much variety on the hill that it never disappoints. A beer in The Star in Dorking rounded off a good night. Thanks for the guidance Neil and well done Jon.

10th June Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Another trip to Holmbury St. Mary to further explore the Hortwood Control Area, http://www.hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk. Parked on the green in front of the Royal Oak Pub (B2126) and met up with a friend, rode east for about an hour and then turned round. The main trails seem to run north-south and are fairly wide and gradual with more technical stuff running east-west. Getting back to the cars we put the bikes away and then tried the pub, if the rest of the menu was as good as the Steak pie we tucked into then its worth coming back to. The area would make the basis of a good day long ride.

Steve

21st May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Not a Wednesday night and not a mountain bike ride!

Oh well, misunderstanding on times/texts... the ride didn't happen in the end. Went out and did 10 miles on the road (?) with some of my neighbours. Maybe some might want to come out with the club one day...

Steve

13th May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Same ride as last week but the other way round and turning for home further west. Whereas last week ride was dry, this weeks started in drizzle (with the promise of rain and even thunder), making the chalk off-road climbs and descents slippery.

Taking advantage being without gainful employment I met up up with a friend and started the ride at 5pm. Starting from Dorking we climbed up behind Denbies Vineyard up to Ranmore where we picked our way downhill to Abinger Hammer crossing the A25. Climbing our way into the west side of Hurt Wood before descending to Holmbury St Mary along wide, deserted tracks, I was struck by what a good area this was for mountain bikers of all abilities. Taking the road south towards Forest Green we turned left onto a bridleway to a long and steady climb through woods to Leith Hill Tower before descending in the mist on the Greensand Way to miss the sanded track up from Westcott taken the week before. The track lead onto the road to the Wotton Hatch pub where we turned right onto the A25 and a bit of road work home just before dusk.

A great ride when it would have been easy to talk yourself out of it and stay at home (although can anyone recommend mudguards for a carbon bike?). It looks as though I'll have to wait until next week (Thurday night not Wednesday - prior engagement!), to use try the lights off-road, maybe starting at 7pm if anyone is interested.

Steve

6th May Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride

Tried my first Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride last night.

I started from home in Dorking at about five and rode to Westcott along the A25 to warm up. I turned left into Rookery Drive and took the Bridleway up to Coldharbour, there has been a lot of sand put down to counter the effects of the 4 wheel drive vehicles and it may well be worth finding another route up, but it served its purpose. Turning right at Coldharbour I took the track to Leith Hill Tower, taking the wrong line around a tree I had to walk up the last few metres where I saw the first person I'd seen since going off road!

From the tower (I had decided before starting out) to take the Greensand Way to Holmbury (fantastic descent - thank god for disc brakes!!!) and have a look at The Hurtwood area (http://www.hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk/). The Hurtwood is the name given to an area of over 3000 acres of beautiful Surrey heath and woodland embracing Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill, Winterfold, Shere Heath, Farley Heath and part of Blackheath according to the website, I hadn't been before, even living so close. Getting to Holmbury I could see lots of other bikers getting ready from their cars so it looked good. From the Village Hall I just followed the path up hill and then spent some time just riding whatever looked good - and everything did!

Deciding not to go too mad I then got back on the road at Holmbury and headed north to the A25 at Abinger Hammer turning right and then up another bridleway on the left to go up towards Ranmore and home through the Denbies Estate.

A great ride, 2 and a half hours, and do-able even starting at 6.30pm this time of year. Lights may be needed if starting later but if anyone would like to do this ride or even meet at Holmbury one Wednesday, give me a ring.

Steve

PS: I'll be doing another ride next Wednesday, 07973 140092 for details.