London Calling

philscott

Hi Guys, as I've just tagged along on this thread for the last couple of days I was wondering if it was ok to tag along on Sunday too. I've just got a pass for the whole morning on Sunday and I know some of the trails around there from riding with Redhill CC (just don't ask me the names of places)!

Scott Ransom 20
Cannondale Rush 4
Gary Fisher Big Sur
Pinnicle prototype (road)

Atz

Can for me. The more the merrier (within reason, much more than 5 or 6 starts to need group splits)

Anonymous

popstar wrote:

Seems as 9.00 is compromise for all to start? I'm fine to start at 9.00 so guess is Atz. Deadkenny can you wake up and be ready for 9.00? Hope to ride again both Pitch+Holmbury hills ... and if peeps feel fit, after tea break could venture into Leith Hill? Hope it will be at least 3+hours ride. Checked on i-phone os maps ... and there is option after we finish Telegraph row to venture straight onto roads for 3-5miles to Leith hill*, but then i somehow lost my paper map with marked trails on Leith hill, so wouldn't be able to help there with exact position of trails.

I'm okay for that.

If you want some trails marked, the guy in the bike shop in Peaslake is pretty helpful (though at the cost of flogging you a laminated map for £3 ).

Less roads the better with me as I find them boring, but probably can't be avoided to get to Leith, and they would be quicker. There's another common area between though, but not sure what's there.

Only bit around Leith I know is on the right side, going up Wolverns Lane to Summer Lightning, but only did it once. I've read there's stuff further right of that apparently, somewhere around where they want to dig for oil.

Few weeks ago I was looking around Winterfold wood area which is left of Pitch. A couple of trails I've found but not much more. Mostly fire tracks. I'm sure there's more hidden in there.

Might swing over to Swinley on Saturday and see if there's any filming going on. Probably not at the weekend.

agg25

Hmmm, first train from London to Gomshall doesn't get there till 8.42am on Sunday morn. Is that going to be too late to get to the meeting point? Could I possibly grab a mobile no from someone who's going in case something happens?
Don't suppose anyone's leaving from around London??

popstar

I can take upto 3 bikes on a rack, so if you disadvantaged in so
me ways PM me, we could arrange/sort you out.

Atz

If you cane it you MIGHT be able to make it from Gomshall to Peaslake in 15 mins. You won;t be able to ride afterwards mind you :P

Easier if popstar picks you up rather than me, you'd need to dismantle your bike to get it into my car.

popstar

Philscott ... do you fancy to join us? Mind you we are not racy type, more like leisurly riders at finding limits. I always tend to have more energy after some Tea+Buscuits brake* in the middle of ride. Guess that type of riding would suit many.

philscott

I would, and I've got a pass for Sunday morning. My (usually invisible) friend Paul also wants to come out so I'm trying to agree a start time with his Mrs. If I (we) can make it for 9am I'll be on my big (slow) Scott. I know a few trails around there, up to Yoghurt Pots and Barry Knows Best. You might be lucky to get parked around there if its a clear / dry day i usually park in Wescott and ride over and have the tea stop there. Anyway I hope to see you all on Sunday

Anonymous

Usually find the car park at Walking Bottom (just past the church in Peaslake village), is okay for parking.

popstar

Philscott ... the better parking as Deadkenny suggested is at Walking Bottom* ... the reason being -we start riding/climbing Pitch Hill first, ride trails there then end up in Peaslake for tea breaks, after, we climb Holmbury hill then ride Yoghurt pots+Telegraph row, from there we cross forest (slight gentle uphill) towards BKB, ride it, then end up again in Peaslake. Then group decides who wants to continue epics to Leith hill or going home. The advantage of Walking Bottom car park is, you don't have to climb again once you've finished your day, and in most cases its not that busy anyway to find some parking.

p.s. -show me any rider who wouldn't like to finish his day off with BKB?

philscott

Sounds like a plan! look out for a filthy green Mondeo estate

supra-man

I'm in for tomorrow. Bike is repaired now, and I just suscribed to the megavalanche race and an avalanche enduro race, so have to get riding now.
No turning back.

Would some one be kind enough to leave me their mob number incase i get lost finding the car park. even though it looks straight forward.

gregsd

Hi guys, didn't go to CwnCarn in the end, so is there room for another one tomorrow? No probs if you want to keep the group size down.

Greg.

Atz

We're not talking 10 people coming so it's all good. That said, given the forecast is now sleet, there's an even chance people will sack it off anyway

philscott

10 is manageable, we (Redhill cc) had 23 out a fortnight ago which was a bit of a pain. Sleet or not I'm all ready to go.

Atz

23... gah, not my thing really. Went on another forum ride last Jan and we were around 40. 5 groups split up in the end and met up at the finish.

popstar

No matter what weather is, I still will show up. Rain in forest is not the rain in city, so wouldn't dare to compare it. Specially given that there would be a decent group, can't make poor excuses.

agg25

Sorry guys, will have to sit this one out, will be away next week but might see you's the weekend after. Have a good ride!

Anonymous

Forecast was rain today, and it was sunny anyway, but who cares. Should only be a light drizzle/sleet if anything. Makes it all the more interesting

9am at the Walking Bottom car park then I take it.

Anonymous

Great ride today, even if I was flagging a little at the end, but made it .

But the mud! Wow. Changes the riding style entirely with that amount of mud. It's kind of like skiing where you just have to slide the tail about to steer. Little need for braking though, the mud slows you down sufficiently.

Good to see everyone. Good group, and cheers to Greg for showing us some alternate routes. Think it's good to get out with others as on my own I tend to just do the same routes all the time.

philscott

Yep, cheers for leading Greg . Then big bike is washed and oiled up ready for the next time I need a big bike (next time I go to Wales!). I'm going back to my shorter wheelbase, grippy, lighter, smoother Cannondale Rush for the Surrey Hills. Mud everywhere when I got home even in places where I had 3 layers on. New bearings on the washing machine again!

Atz

Not washed anything yet, it's sitting in the hallway and there's too much rain to clean the bike on the patio. Good ride and good to meet some new faces.

gregsd

Yep, good ride today and nice to meet you all! My bike's washed and lubed; just checked the pads and I need some new one :roll: - it's never ending! May be next time we can make it over to Leith Hill and explore over there.

Cheers

Greg.

popstar

That was some kind of an epic day. No singletrack was untouched, rode Pitch-Winterfold-Holmbury hills. Took some 5hours of riding in total, the only thing you realise is that you are not that fit compared to some middle aged bloke, as myself being young enough and not at least match him is embarrassment not even to mention he rode bloody single speed!!! :-) but then I have an aim now at least. Still during the ride it was nice to socialise with all to ease the pain in legs. I tell ya, there is always one super-human around* (quote by philscott) :-) .

Overall group had such a high spirit, that even Atz managed to keep his tradition and at least once, fell down* .

supra-man

It was fantastic day, good ride , and good to ride with others. I 'm looking forward to the next one, hopefully it will be dry. I loved the section with the telegraph poles, even though that stump in the middle of the line is dangerous on the first time.

see you all for a next ride.

philscott

Ah, you did telegraph road after I left. I know exactly where you mean, it can catch you out the first time but its really good at the end, at least in the dry. next time you are out give me a shout. I don't go on this forum much but I've asked to be kept up to date on this tread so just add something in here so I get it. Anything on you-tube yet?

thanks again

Phil

PS don't forget Redhill CC, Check the website for regular rides for all abilities (Wednesday nites a speciality of mine)

popstar

Hello all ... 

This Sunday 28th planning to organise a ride. Start time would be around 9.30* as need to give a chance to people who travel by train. Can't confirm on exact route but guess it will depend on Gregsd* with epics from Holmbury-Leith hills. If ... Gregsd isn't coming then it would be usual routine of Winterfold-Pitch-Holmbury + optional Leith if people survive. 

Pls give your ideas/opinions.

supra-man

Ok count me in, I know a few trails at leith , should be enough to finish us if we survive the rest.

gregsd

Hi Guys, not sure about sundays as I'm doing a club ride on saturday. Given the conditions, I think doing Pitch+Holmbury and then Leith might be pushing it! If you want to explore Leith, I think it'd be a better idea to do Holmbury then head over to Leith and then if anyone wants/can, you can then do Pitch after a stop at Peaslake stores.

Will let you know closer to the weekend if I can make it.

Greg.

popstar

Agree, it's either Winterfold-Pitch-Holmbury, or start at car park near Youth hostel and do Holmbury-Leith hill trails +Pitch as extra, only if weather is nice.

Hope deadkenny didn't give up cycling after last ride ;-)