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did dorking, westcott, wotton, tower, greensand way dorking yesterday - fine if you stick to stuff that has been compacted by walkers 4*4 etc - off trail was unrideable in places.
Long may the thaw continue!
Rode Ranmore, White Downs, Holmbury, Peaslake and returned via Leith Hill and Westcott. Took a lot longer than a typical ride but was 90% rideable if you stayed on the beaten tracks. More difficult over towards White Downs where less people had been.
BKB rode pretty well considering but Yoghurt Pots was pretty much unrideable. Didn't bother with Telegraph as we figured it would be much the same. Quite a lot of people out considering 🙂
Btw, did I spy Jody Crawford in full National Champ regalia at Peaslake?
JamesP- was thinking for next Sat/temperature is picking up during the week so fingers crossed..
when it all melts its going to be awful....
Depends- Peaslake end should be alright? Leith will be claggier?
Hora - it certainly wasn't that cold there...the big concern will be how much of muddy mess it becomes once all the snow melts. I wouldn't fancy the end of yoghurt pots much...and I suspect Ranmore will be unrideable as is want after heavy periods of rain.
Agreed though - fingers crossed for a return to normalty 🙂
Yesterday we rode down White Down to Abinger Hammer then up Rad Lane to Peaslake. Then up Holmbury on the road to the reservoir and up to the top, then down Yoghurt Pots and Telegraph Road and back to Abinger Roughs. Telegraph was fine except for the 1st section but Yoghurt Pots a bit tricky.
Btw, did I spy Jody Crawford in full National Champ regalia at Peaslake?
Probably, he's a local boy and often rides up there.
I hopped on the turbo instead, probably a sensible decision from talking a few folk!
Yep. I knew it was him really. Can't be many people with a Artic-Premier RT kit with National Champs stripes can there 😉 I guess with the CX Nationals cancelled that was his ride. Apparently back in the day he used to ride for WDMBC. Way before my time though.
It was actually quite a laugh and on SS hard work. You didn't miss much though.
Well, you might see the pork pie eating champion around Peaslake next week if your lucky. You'll spot 'him' by the look of his shirt. 8)
How much snow has Dorking etc had?
3 inches and still snowing hard.....roads are utter chaos!
FFS.
Apparently back in the day he used to ride for WDMBC
Yeah he did, late 90s, then he got on the WCPP, that was when it was still Heffs sponsored.
Sats a non-starter with this snow isnt it? It wont have started to thaw properly now will it by then?
I haven't even been out in the car yet, but I wouldn't expect it to be great by the weekend - we are forecast slightly warmer days and below freezing nights, so expect ice! I'm considering giving it a go in the car in a short while, but I've heard that a bus spun and blocked the A25 at Coast Hill and that Newlands Corner is not moving.
Even if the roads clear the riding is similar to going through deep sand - not the most exciting!
Will keep you posted from the sunny Surrey Hills!
Glen You're not the chap I met on Saturday snowboarding at the bottom of Homlbury are you?
glenp, yes please. The plan was to come down for my mateys birthday in Brighton and ride Peaslake/Leith hill etc on sat and sun. Its now looking like just Sundays best.
joolsburger - that was probably Richard.
hora - its only Wednesday, so lets see what happens. Just off out in the car now. If I'm back online in half an hour the news is not good!
Yes he made us feel inadequate by saying you guys all rode what we gave up on last Wednesday night!!
I'm back - but now I'm in Guildford! Hurray.
Back lanes quite lively, and much easier if nothing is coming the other way. Can only get better, surely?
joolsburger - don't forget, he may have been lying. Never trust a mountain bike guide. We've got a big group on Saturday - here's hoping that its still on. Maybe see you out there!
glenp- ta. Would be interested to see hear how it develops.
this weekend i suspect be horrible - a warm slushy mess. Better to sit in the pub and drink ale/eat...
Why not be truly radical and go for a walk? Trudging in wellies, snowball fights, go and get warm and glowing in the Kings Head, take a hip flask and a camera etc.
glenp - well of course walk to the Kings Head. some fine ales in there.
Next drop off I find will be christened Shere Drop.
LOL! We went up and got a Barrel of it from the brewery for a NYE house party - wonderful stuff 8)
Ranmore Ale makes a nice summer tipple.
Walking is not an option soldier.
going down to peaslake this sunday with a group in tow-keep us updated fella!
Ping
Roads are good now, except be sure not to get two wheels in the piled up snow, because it is now very wet and claggy.
Cycling won't be much fun though - very heavy going.
any update on riding conditions around leith/holmbury/pitch?
I'm interested to know this has the snow melted yet?
Rads are all good now - you'll find big piles of dense slush in remote car parks but otherwise ok. I can only call the riding from my dog walking (between Abinger Common and Holmbury) - deep slush and wet snow due to go very muddy when the rain comes.
We've got a group out tomorrow, so I'll see then!
Thanks. Has anyone been out on the trails in the last couple of days? I remember heading out in February last year, thinking everything would be melted (as it was in London), but still finding loads of snow once I got on to the trails. Keen to avoid something similar this time round
The only way that you will not get something similar is if there is so much rain it takes the snow away, in which case there will be a hell of a lot of mud and water! There is a lot of snow in the woods, it will be the same over Holmbury and Pitch, which is less than a mile away.
Cheers glenp. Sounds like the trails will be cack whatever happens
Just walked the dog on Ranmore - I certainly won't be riding this weekend....
Bit of mud is good for the soul as long as it's not deep slushy snow I'm there on Sunday.
Nick its going to royally chuck it down tonight/tomorrow am
Sat- Terrible around Peaslake etc! Today- fine around Leith/Summer Lightning etc etc 😀