10 of us gathered at Nirvana on this fine evening for the usual blast in the local woods. I had my heart set on doing 'Claw Hammer' otherwise known as 'Christmas Pudding' over on Pitch Hill where as George was keen to have a go on one of our old favorites, 'Wildwood'.
So with these two wishes in mind it was once again down to me to lead out the ride from Westcott. I immediately realised that both these trails were within range on the one ride so we headed off up round the church then up the Rookery onto Wolvens Lane.
We progressed up there a while befor taking a cheeky path off to the right then along past the waterfall to Broadmoor. From Broadmoor we headed straight on befor taking another cheeky trail sharp right. This lead us to the top of Bosonovas which was quickly decended and took us back down into Broadmoor.
Another Cheeky trail between the houses and we were up on the road, following this for a hundred yards or so we ducked off to the left then re crossed the road bringing us to the top of 'Wildwood'. As ever this trail flowed very well and we all ended up in Friday Street with big smiles.
As we passed through Friday Street Paul, George and Richard all decided to head off (in search of the World Cup Semi Final I think) whilst the rest of us took another sharp and steep trail off to the right just after the pub. At the top of the climb we hit an area of woodland being logged but managed to pick our way through eventually emerging at Abinger Common.
From Abinger Common a combination of cheeky trails (all well used and known by bikers) were utilised to get us accross to Holmbury Hill. A mixture of fireroad climbing and singletrack decending on numerous trails whose names escape me (except of course Golden Birdies (BKB)) eventually brought us out in Peaslake.
At Peaslake it was Brian who headed for home due to a mechanical (loose bolt or something) onhis rear suspension which left just the 6 of us to push on. We aimed for 'walking bottom' car park where we headed straight through and on up to the top car park. During this time we spoted a couple of new (to us) trails off to the right and circumnavigated our way around to the top. With a little time to spare we thought it best to try them out, Huw lead the way and opted for the right hand fork where the trail split. Very nice little trail it was too and one we'll visit again I'm sure.
With time moving on and some of the boys looking forward for our traditional 9 o'clock meeting with a pub we pressed on. Back up to the top car park, right out of the entrance up th eroad then right at the road junction before hitting the off road again with a left up the bank in the small car park. We then wound our way down to 'Claw Hammer' .
I haven't ridden this trail in such dry conditions for a long time and it was a right blast, we all loved it but there was no time to hang around so it was straight on to the next section of singletrack then down the bridleway all the way to the edge of Farley Green. From here is the incredibly dry Ponds lane (never seen it so dry, dusty and sandy) all the way to the railway crossing above Shere. Accross the railway then to the William 4th at Little London for a well earned pint or 2.
Carl was lightless so was first to leave having borrowed a tiny spare front light from Charlie (he had a back light) whilst the rest of us enjoyed our 2nd pint. By 10 we thought it best to start making our way back to Westcott. The path leaves amost directly opposite the pub and takes us accrossthe woods then down to Shere. From Shere its the usual route back around the edge of Gomshall, through Abinger Hammer then Abinger Roughs.
In Abinger Roughs we came accross a couple of people walking their dog in the dark and guess what - 'where is your bell' was the comment as I rode past lit up like a Christmas tree and easily avoiding them while they were hardly visible in their dark clothing - amazing, despite being on a bridleway which forms part of a national cycle route in their minds it was obviously me who was at fault for not ringing a bell - unbelievable. Not that there was any problem as far as I could tell, they saw and heard me coming and I slowed down and passed them with plenty of room, at a reasonable speed and fully in control, why did they feel any need to say anything, very bizzar.
Anyway, thats it, a short roll around the field then the little back roads into Westcott and another 24 miler was done - all very enjoyable and perfect conditions, lovely.
Tobs
