Surrey Hills - where to start?

Anonymous

Rapid thaw round here. Some areas the snow has just about all gone, others there's a fair bit still on any grassy/muddy ground but melting fast, but that's lower ground. Not sure about Surrey Hills though. Could still be a fair bit up there but temperatures are rising fast this weekend.

However weather for tomorrow is heavy rain, so that combined with the thaw is going to mean a lot of water!

The soil does dry out quick up there but I guess there's a limit to how saturated it can get before it just turns into a bog. And places like Yoghurt Pots are so named because of their potential muddy conditions .

Anyway, I can only do weekends so the plan is to try for Sunday as the weather is a little better that day. If I make it I'll report back.

Anonymous

Well, most of the snow has gone but there's still some on some of the fire roads where the sun hasn't hit. It's slush in the main though some has subsequently frozen making it a bit icy.

Most of the trails are muddy in places. Yoghurt pots was slushy & muddy in the main. Barry's was generally fine with mud in places.

Positively toasty temperature though compared to recent weather

popstar

Hope to see a bit drier trails this Tuesday, ... Will do my general route of Pitch+Holmbury hills, shame didn't explore last time Leith hill as have seen some twists* there, surprisingly I didn't even ride summer lighting there. Guess to ride 3hills at once is a bad idea, don't want to overkill it.

diy

Its melting fast, but I was amazed just how hard, Summer Lightning was to climb. Still lots of crunchy snow about on the hills and lots of new years resolution riders out and about which is nice, but a little dangerous, until they get to know the trials.

phototropic

Hi folks, I don't know if any of you have heard about the company that wants to do oil and gas exploration on Leith Hill? Aside from the possible trail closures it doesn't sound like the right thing to be doing in a designated AONB!

You can register an objection here:

http://www.thevirtualvillage.com/final_deadline.cfm

If you're reading this, please take five minutes to let the council know why you think it's a bad idea. The deadline for objections is today - 25th January.

popstar

Its bad news about Oil exploration.

Anonymous

Damn, missed my chance!

I'd heard about that before and seen posters up about it. It's been an ongoing argument for a while and I thought they'd killed it off, but looks like they've sneaked back with the usual tactic of giving limited time to respond.

Unbelievable this kind of thing is going on in a AONB, but then I bet there's government backing on the basis of providing oil reserves.

It's the same with building housing on the green belt because the gov demand councils must provide sufficient housing to buy (despite the fact there is plenty of rental housing, and plenty of space outside the south east). They end up building far more then required because they can build far more luxury houses so long as they cover their allowance of "affordable" housing.

Anonymous

evade wrote:

Right, I'm up for a hoon/slog on the 30th if anyone else is? It'll have to be a 12.00 start for me tho and I'll be well and truly done by 3.30...

Evade

Still up for this anyone?

diy

I just wanted to say that the trails were 3/5 last week and 4/5 in places. Dried out nicely only a few deep puddles

popstar

After todays (Thursday) ride, don't really see anywhere puddles ... maybe some dump places otherwise trails are nicely packed and rideable.Did only Pitch+Holmbury as always, 3+hours is more than enough for me though.

popstar

This Sunday as it stands, there is a small group forming to hit SH trails. Anyone interested to join? Ride will be around Pitch+Holmbury hills (gentle pace) and will take average 3+hours of ride (start 8.00ish at Peaslake ). Once got full group in order will confirm more on details.

bungalistic

I'm moving down London way in a few weeks so i'll be interested in riding with a couple of the local folk who know the area, Surrey Hills sounds like a pretty good place to start too

Richard2118

I have posted before and threatened to go out with a few of you before . I am back on my bike after a few months off . Been out a few times and just about fit again.
I am riding from about 14.00 on Sat and if anyone fancies i can show you a few more local trails.
I will porbably go pitch or holmbury, but if anyone fancies I know loads of stuff on Leith hill, Boxhill or Ranmore .

even if your not out this weekend, please Pm me and I am more than happy to guide.

rgds
Rich

bungalistic

Keep me in mind for some of them rides around the surreyhills / leith hills area looks pretty good and would definately like to get out round there in the next few weeks after i'm settled in the new flat.

I'll make sure to PM when I know my free weekend times, lookign forward to exploring new tracks and trails.

bike-a-swan

try redhill cc, they're over westcott way periodically

http://www.redhillcc.co.uk/calendar/event_view.aspx?eventid=1488

Richard2118

bungalistic wrote:

Keep me in mind for some of them rides around the surreyhills / leith hills area looks pretty good and would definately like to get out round there in the next few weeks after i'm settled in the new flat.

I'll make sure to PM when I know my free weekend times, lookign forward to exploring new tracks and trails.

No probs, just pm , also put in what type riding you fancy.

Richard2118

If anyone fancies a guide I am out riding Bank holiday Monday ,whatever the weather, if you want in just PM me.

Anonymous

Probably can't do this weekend, unless anyone's out late Monday, i.e. 5pm ish. Well, the light should be good until 7 now I think . Even then it depends if I'm around by then.

Abnormal

I have been reading this thread with interest and am going over there on Wednesday to scope out some trails before I go there with my mate so if any of you seasoned pros see me on my black rockhopper looking decidedly lost feel free to say hi (or shout obsenities I'm easy). Plus I always have a good stock of sweets (for energy reasons obviously)!

popstar

Abnormal, there is quite active group rides in Surrey Hills from this thread London Calling , feel free to join with your mates for Weekend Epics, and you may find a lot of trails and new places to ride, since a lot of exploring has been done allready by group rides before.

Abnormal

Thanks for the info popstar I will check that out and and try and meet up when I get a weekend off (perils of shift work).