thinking of having a trip over there tomorrow are the 2 main trails well marked? how easy is it to link up some of the unmarked stuff if you have never been there?
is anyone riding tomorrow who is a regular and is willing to show us about?
cheers tony
Answer for the first question - what '2' main trails, and no...
The hills are criss-crossed with trails, but get a 1:25000 OS map and start from there.
What do you mean by the two main trails? Nothings marked, except I suppose Summer Lightning a bit. Tagging along with a local as you've requested is the best otherwise get some advice from the bike shop in Peaslake.
I had visions of the OP standing on a soapbox outside Peaslake stores ranting 😆
None of the trails are really marked. You may find a bit of laminated A4 at the top of Barry Knows Best but that's about it. For a first timer I would recomend a weekend trip as there will be more riders around to ask. The bike shop in Peaslake Village is a good place to ask but remember to buy something while you are there or even book one of their guided rides or skills courses.
http://www.pedalandspoke.co.uk/
There are other shops in the area.
Trouble is nothing is on an OS map - following locals is the best advice.
i thought summer lightning and barry knows best were marked trails... bummer. i only live 40 mins away from surrey hills so can make plenty of visits. anyone know if there is a planned ride for tomorrow?
There are a few trails that are easy to find. On Holmbury, these include Yoghurt Pots, Telegraph, and Barry. On Leith, these include Regurgitator, Deliverance (new/old), and Summer Lightning, and the little trail that follows the lane down after on the left side.
Happy to try and explain the way to find these to you, but I think there is a website that does it better.
Here's another good source of info
http://www.surreyhillsmtber.co.uk/84/holmbury-hill-highlights-mtb-route-gpx/
Put the file in your gps or phone if you have such a thing but expect to stop often as there are lots of paths. Keep your eye out for walkers and please be polite when passing. Also the trails are not obviously one way so expect lost people coming the "wrong" way.
There will be literally hundreds of people riding. If you head to Peaslake there'll be dozens of groups you can tag along with. Summer Lightning has a sign at it's entrance, but that's it. BKB doesn't even have that, and the 2 are about 10 miles apart! You'd do well to stumble from one to t'other!