I've just heard from a very reliable source, that the Hurtwood Control Trust (the guys that manage Holmbury and Pitch Hill etc) have been seriously hit by the credit crunch and they need to raise some funds if the area is to remain open. Apparently they're seriously looking at building some shore or similar at the old quarry on Pitch Hill as a way to raise revenue. Gets my vote.
Anyone in the know with more info?
P.s money earner I guess? rangers blog[u]
That is great news, if it happens, but I sincerely doubt it will: The trouble they've had at other locations with building this sort of stuff, mainly with H&S and insurance, put people off.
Fingers crossed though.
Hmm - not sure where that story comes from. You'd have to make the quarry itself safe before you even started. Sounds like Chinese whispers to me.
They must be interested in bringing more bikers into the area, the re do of the peaslake bus shelter area is incoperating 20 bike stands. They used my bike as a guide for where they are going to position the stands, they also measured my bike dimensions and asked me lots of questions.
They must be interested in bringing more bikers into the area
Not sure this is a good idea. I've pretty much given up riding there as it's totally overrun and the whole place can't really cope.
Also, shore isn't necessarily the right approach to bring more riders in, IMO. As mentioned above, it's a liability nightmare on private land and also it's not really inclusive for all the tuypes of riders who use the Surrey Lumps.
also it's not really inclusive for all the tuypes of riders who use the Surrey Lumps.
I kinda disagree as it depends on how it is done.
I've ridden there alot and although there are usually people gathered in Peaslake, I rarely see them out on the trails so I also disagree that it's overrun.
Agreed on the weekends it tottaly over run, i work shifts so ride during the week days. Most days i dont even see another mtb its so much more peaceful.
Totally over-run is putting it a bit strongly! Not as if there's a queue at the top of Barry's or whatever. Its all good for the local economy.
Not sure who's paying for the bus shelter improvements, but don't expect its Hurtwood Control?
may'be there have seen the amount of freeride bikes that are around the Surrey hills and have decided that people need something to ride worthy of 8" of travel and triple clamps other than BKB 
may'be there have seen the amount of freeride bikes that are around the Surrey hills and have decided that people need something to ride worthy of 8" of travel and triple clamps other than BKB
I've often wondered where they go.
I very much doubt this will happen anyway. Perhaps they would be better off improving trail maintenence and maybe incorporating north shore stuff into the existing trails and properly marking and advertising the trials, essentially making it a trail centre.
There used to be some shore on Pitch Hill wasn't there? I remember stumbling across it 3 or 4 years ago.
I seem to recall a wind-up like this doing the rounds just the other year, although it involved 'a mate at Guildford planning department, land owned by the crazy South African and chairlifts being put in. Lasted about a week that one did.
There used to be some shore on Pitch Hill wasn't there? I remember stumbling across it 3 or 4 years ago.
Yes there was and it was very impressive too, but the local ranger took it down because it was built without their consent. The remnants of the trail still exist though.
There used to be some shore on Pitch Hill wasn't there? I remember stumbling across it 3 or 4 years ago.
Yep the guys at Freeborn built it but it got taken down because of H&S.
Yeah part of the old shore is still there in bits.
I was out on Holbury and Leith Hills on Saturday, the nicest weekend day for quite some time. Saw a few riders at the tops of the hills but most of the trails were pretty quiet and we were able to ride at our own speed on every trail we rode.
Having just got back from a ride around the hills today, I think money would be better spent of some maintenance of the existing trail network. Not knocking what the Redlands or Friends of Hurtwood do on a budget, but some of the better known tracks in particular are starting to get a bit 'old and worn' imho; and although in today's dry conditions that made BKB for example a bit more exciting and technical for an 'experienced' (albeit crap) rider, some of the exposed roots in the wet are almost as much of a liability as NS stuff. Particularly for novice riders that wouldn't attempt NS stuff but are more likely to have a go at a mapped or waymarked trail only to find lateral off-camber roots. As a result new lines are forming around them and the whole thing is suffering as a result.
I know armouring / repair is very double edged, but if there continues to be the influx of riders that SH is continuing to get, it's only going to get worse.
Well me and HackneyRider developed some Rude Shore by the reservoir on Sunday, and everyone is welcome to have a go.
haha, what, a couple of planks and some logs? I passed by but tbh, and I don't like to knock your aspirations, Vancouver it was not.
I think the reason why trail maintenance won't be in the cards is that they need to raise money, and in an enclosed area like the quarry it would be simple.
I quite liked the planks up at the reservoir!
haha, what, a couple of planks and some logs?
From small acorns...
We had fun! It was a tricky little bit, and no-one else who passed and had a go, cleared the sea-saw and the planks. After a good few goes, we were clearing it on every run. So, next time, something a bit more challenging.
Don't knock Rude Shore; it may look small and innocuous, but it could actually be fendishly tricky, and catch you out.
hahaha i think everyone on there way to BKB has a go on the Seesaw and Jump! We sessioned who could get the furthest jump a while back.
The anticipation to see what fresh challenge awaits as I cycle up to the reservoir is almost unbearable
Mid-morning yesterday it looked like this...
Its probably changed again by now
rad
I hate to be a party pooper, but building stuff like that is only going to do more harm than good to the reputation of mountain bikers. The rangers are already sick of people building new stuff.
Was at the quarry earlier, there was a bloke with a tractor there, I asked him about this. Apparently the quarry has been surveyed, and work starts tomorrow! Money is coming from the council development fund - who'd of thought it. The bit from the carpark to the quarry up to the foot path is going to be fenced off, and chargeable (about a fiver apparently) - body armour and full face also required for insurance purposes, also over 18s only.
They're going to start quite small, with a skills area, and some low level shore (with a see saw). Also putting a line in down the face of the steep bit of the quarry, and a six pack. Some of the trees around the quarry are going to be cleared and reused in the shore.
Fence etc, should be completed at the very begining of next month.
Cool **eats his words, with some ketchup to make them taste better**
I wonder who's designing it.
Look at that! We built that! 
Gnarly...
you were clearly the child that ate your lego
I'm a "friend of the Hurtwood" and in their recent newsletter date 04/03/09 nothing of this nature was mentioned. In fact the only mention of bikes (which normally get a decent slot with talk of permits and the like) was that the new entrance to the Pots is holding out well and prevented further damage to the fort.
Verbatim:
You will read elsewhere of the progress we have been making with the mountain bike trails. So far our efforts to prevent any further damage to the Hill fort have been very successful, with the vast majority of the diversion work being achieved by a dedicated group of biker friends.
I'm not averse to the idea though if it means an income for the trust. It's a bit too far for me to be really bothered though seeing as I already have to pay train fare to get there.
The bit from the carpark to the quarry up to the foot path is going to be fenced off, and chargeable (about a fiver apparently) - body armour and full face also required for insurance purposes, also over 18s only.
Suggests they are going to have to employ someone to monitor the site and collect the fees?
Not really tried much shore but, if it is built, it would be rude not to try it: a whole new world of painful ways to injury myself 
seems a bit of a daft idea to me
why?
it just doesn't fit with what people go to Leith, Pitch and Holmbury to ride - cross country
I can't see them building stuff which is going to be anything but basic and sanitised, not worth paying money for
I've no basis for this though and am prepared to be proved wrong
What it does do is maybe stop people building bigger, illegal stuff and give them something different to ride.
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