[Closed] Surrey Hills STW Ride 22/23 May?

My approach in such situations is just to avoid drop offs, I'm happy to lead a more 'jey' group if there's enough folk

If I make it then I'll probably be in your group because I seem to be getting more and more jey ... <<looks at geometry and blames it on seat post height :D>>

To be fair, there's not that much 'gnarlcore' stuff on the hills unless you really go looking for it!

I'm in, and probably bringing a couple of other guys along too.

I'm normally happy with the drops and fruitier bits on Leith etc. but I'm no riding god (I wish!) and balls up from time to time. oh well, brusing is all gone now....and the carbon handlebars on the bike have been replaced.....just incase the tree did damage there too.

So, is this on the 22nd, or the 23rd?

Sunday. I think I might bring my cross bike.

Well to be honest, there are probably multiple rides going to happen, but there will certainly be one on [b]Sunday 23rd 10:30 Holmbury Youth Hostel Car Park[/b].

There's a very good chance we will be splitting into groups though. I'd certainly hope so if everyone who's saying they'll show up does!

How did things go with the ride(s).
Sorry I could not make it, was at Calshot velodrome where my son was riding with his club.

If you had turned up you'd have been a week early......

Haha! So putting it in the thread title, and in bold in the post preceding yours wasn't enough!?

Looks like the weather's gonna be nice this weekend!

I still intend to be at the Youth Hostel car park in Holmbury St Mary at 10:30 on Sunday 23rd, if people are there then great!

Woo Hoo! A decision! 😉

I shall be there. Don't let me down because I shall be getting a lift over, then riding back to Farnborough..!
MrsPP has the car for charity work on Sunday afternoons, so I get dropped off and left behind. I've done this before, mind.... 🙂

Do we need a photographer?

Aaah 💡

Must be me wishing that payday was sooner!

Don't worry PP I'll be there. Sadly it looks like the weather may be a fair bit better on Saturday, but hopefully that'll change!

The forecast won't be reliable this far in advance anyway. I won't take much notice of it until about Thursday....

Agreed, I think Metcheck's got rather dubious anyway of late!

Haaa Haaaaa! Metguess?!?! The worlds WORST weather forecastsing site?

I use the Met Office, I look at the forecast then check the data pages myself (Radar, pressure charts etc) and see if I agree with them... 🙂

I hope to be there with a few mates.

I'll be the fat f*cker on the Mythic Paradox, can't be that many others that will be there 😕

Almost the weekend BUMP

Weather looks good so the midget will be making an apperance, bring ear defenders!

I'll be there... going to start a new thread for Londoners going down, coordinate trains perhaps?

I'm hoping to be there but family are visting - will try and wangle it though.

You should be easy to spot then!

For any late comers to the thread who are too lazy to scroll up, there are likely to be a number of simultaneous rides going on, but there will certainly be one on [b]Sunday 23rd 10:30 Holmbury Youth Hostel Car Park[/b].

I have been battling a particularly virulent strain of the plague all week, so I may drive over rather than ride!

We'll be at Holmbury YHA car park at 10.30.
If necessary I can show a group of 5 or 6 round a nice easy paced ride over to Pitch and Winterfold, back over Holmbury and to Leith and back. Shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 hours or so.

In my meagre state of health that is exactly what I was intending to do! So we can see who turns up, how fast they are, how much people hate each other and refuse to ride together, and go from there.

Ap you neglected to mention that that would involve 6 very long climbs and 4 more not so long ones.

Are there any 'very long' climbs around there? Even the one up through High Ashes isn't that bad.

Still intending to make this ride. Must be dry and dusty by now as we have not had any significant rain for a week.
STM

PP - i can give you a lift back if you want. I was planning on dropping off the cake stand which might be awkward for you to ride home with

Haha! 6 very long climbs? Where are they? Would that be like climbing the Galibier?

Can't make this now as the start time is a bit late in the day & other half pointed out that if it started @ 10.30 i wouldn't be home before 4-5pm and had promissed to "do more around the house" 🙄

Have fun without me and remember to play nicely or at least remember what the insults were and post them up on Sunday evening 😆

PP - i can give you a lift back if you want. I was planning on dropping off the cake stand which might be awkward for you to ride home with
[/quote

I might take you up on that to be honest, it's not out of your way is it? You can always come in for a cuppa too. 🙂

 

I am merely pointing out that for the unfit it can be surprisingly climby. Obviously my climbing ability is unquestionable and I can do them all without breaking a sweat ( Yeah right).

That last one past high ashes is a right pain in the arse if you've been out for a few hours AFAIC.

if I can trudge up the hills in my old/overweight way then they aren't that bad - I think play it by ear on sunday.

Yep definitely, the advantage of a Holmbury start is that if people are knackered after Holmbury/Pitch/Winterfold we can just call it a day, of if people are still fine we can push on over Leith. Looks like it's gonna be a hot one! I may have to see if I can find a Camelbak 🙂

Eye, the weather looks crackin' Gromit!

I may even turn up. I generally ride on my own so I can pace it how I like (massively slow going up, surprisingly fast going down, so I'm told) perhaps I should be more social.

massively slow going up, surprisingly fast going down, so I'm told

Reverse 'slow' and 'fast' and there's a better description of my own riding 🙂

You should come along, I imagine a number of small groups naturally forming based on speed and what folk want to do.

Hmmm. I may appear with a friend...

I am regularly overtaken by families walking on the ups, I ought to have a slow moving vehicle sign on my butt. Seriously slow but I don't care I get there and I don't walk!

I much prefer nice'n'steady everywhere really, oh, and definitely no faffing!

You and me both Joolsburger.

That YHA car park will be RAMMED! If more than 20 cars, it will be interesting!

Was up on the hills last weekend, and the only puddles were in VPL, but Yoghurt Pots/Parklife was pure flow in motion.

See you all there on sunday at 10:30!

6 pages!

I was thinking about the car park capacity, if I drive I think I'll park in the glade and roll down the hill, suggest a few may like to do the same if you know the area!

and definitely no faffing!

Couldn't agree more! I have no problems riding really slowly, much much prefer that to riding fast, then stopping to faff!

there are a few car parks around Holmbury, Anyone got a link to a map to give everyone a chance to find parking? I would avoid the Pitch car park, because that is always really busy on a sunny sunday.

Maybe we should warn Peaselake stores to get an extra large batch of cheese straws ready! It's the official food of surrey hills cyclists don't you know!

[url= http://www.multimap.com/s/CS8E4VW9 ]This[/url] is the YHA car park, my second choice would be the one not shown on the map at the end of the yellow road passed 'Felday'.

njee20. your location is not the YHA carpark, You have pointed out the one just up the road, next to the road. Tbe YHA car park is at the top of the little yellow road to the left of your car park, Next to the brown triangle, which is the YHA location. It's at the bottom of the main Telegraph Road trail.

Your carpark highlighted is at the end of the extra wiggle of singletrack to the car park at the bottom. Right?

Apologies, you're quite right, now I'm just trying to confuse people! I would be inclined to ignore the one that's actually shown on the map as a car park as it's tiny!

[url= http://www.multimap.com/s/CS8E4VW9 ]HERE[/url], and one above edited for consistency!

Has anyone checked the trains, for those of you planning to head down by train?

I half-heard an announcement at Wimbledon this evening about "Buses replacing trains between Leatherhead and Dorking" at some point this weekend. I wasn't really listening because I'm not riding this weekend, but then I remembered this thread...

Just found this thread - am riding anyway on Sunday around that time, might join u too. how many are going at last count?
Rode a lot of Leith today for my lunchtime WFH treat (the joys of living in dorking 😉 ) and the trails are sweeeeeet n dry. the odd damp spot but just the usual lingerers. Bet itll be packed at the weekend.
Hmmmm, having said that, might go out at 5pm like usual and miss the crowds 🙂

stealthcat - Member

Has anyone checked the trains, for those of you planning to head down by train?

I half-heard an announcement at Wimbledon this evening about "Buses replacing trains between Leatherhead and Dorking" at some point this weekend. I wasn't really listening because I'm not riding this weekend, but then I remembered this thread...

Yes. Buses are replacing trains beween Leatherhead and Dorking. You'll be VERY lucky to find a bus driver who'll let you on with the bike, especially if you're not alone. 😥

No idea how many are going to turn up, there were a lot saying yes, then other meeting points started to crop up. It looks like the YHA one may still be the biggest, the idea is to split into manageable groups so we get riding done rather than standing around! Suspect it will be busy! Can't decide whether to go up there today or go out on the road!

"Buses replacing trains between Leatherhead and Dorking"

Maybe see you, maybe not.

I'm happy to guide people there by bike (early offroad warm-up - should take about an hour and a half at my pace) but it means leaving from outside Cycleworks in Leatherhead

http://www.cycleworks.co.uk/about/cycleworks-leatherhead

at 9am SHARP. I'll be there from 8:50 to meet anybody who wants to take that option. Look for an old bloke in black on a grey Orange 5/maroon Revs...

It was unbelievably busy up there today, I was out on the road, but I reckon that's the most cyclists I've ever seen! I guess we can expect the same tomorrow.

I've just had to bodge a different brake and shifter onto the Fuel as Fishers still haven't returned my one! Should be good though. I imagine I'll be fairly distinctive...

Factor 30, everybody!!

Indeed. I got a tan in an hour at the pub this lunchtime!

See y'all in the morning. 🙂

Good ride this one, thanks for organising Njee and co! I was in the slow group on the black Chameleon SS with the marmite jersey. Was good to meet you all. Hope the guy who headbutted the tree is ok! Thumbs up to Mark as well - if you are every over Newbury/Swinley way drop me a message and we can go for an SS bimble! Oh and post up your charity link and I'll send some money your way. Now where was that beer I put in the fridge.....

Where'd you end up going?

I can't remember! Yogurt pots was mentioned and we did telegraph (?) anyway Im sure someone with a better memory will be along shortly!

XC_PK - Member

I can't remember! Yogurt pots was mentioned and we did telegraph (?) anyway Im sure someone with a better memory will be along shortly!

Holmbury hilltop. Parklife (AKA Yog pots), Telegraph Road/Telegram Sam. Post-split (petesgaff to home, me to Leith) the rest of 'Team Slowmo' went over and did Bazza, I believe...

[IMG] [/IMG]

From the left: GT, "Strangers To The Forum" 1&2, petesgaff, worldclass accident, XC_PK, thisisnotaspoon

The other group had fun too 😀 Thanks Nick, a great ride.

Cheers for organising Nick.
Cheers to everyone else for coming and making up an ace ride
Gnarlcore to the max 🙂

Where did the other group end up (the fast one that is)?

Was going to come but arranged something else to do as I mixed up the weekends. Sounds like I missed a good one (although found some new to me stuff in the area).

We went up and rode across to BKB and didnt stop at Peaslake Stores.Then up the road to the car park, and up past the windmill and dropped over the road and did the 3 bombholes, on which i binned it in a numpty fashion as i have cleared it often in the past. Fair bit of singletrack, a puncture, lots of faffage, christmas tree or T1 T2 graveyard shift, Cheese straws , Yoghurt pots , Sella Rosa I think, and Telegraph road to finish.
No great distance but hard work in the heat and dust. Pub stop afters for cheesy chips . Result.
Good to meet some old and new faces , a grand day out in the sunshine

Sounds like you had a good ride. Those three bomb holes are trickier than you might imagine - let me guess, was it the third one that got you? I've shown it to a few people that I've randomly met over the years and about half of them end up binning it! I've stopped taking peeps down there now because of it.

If anyone wants to explore Leith Hill and doesn't know it I would be happy to lead a ride up there some time soon.

Great to meet you all and in particular it was a privilege to meet Mark, aka Pete's Gaff.

yep 3rd one, Even having told everyone to avoid the stump I rolled into it too slowly and too 'on the bike' the front wheel didnt clear the first root and stopped dead, and I carried on.

Thanks guys for agreat ride in the
surrey hills, respect to the single
speeders especially the guy on the
ind fab with rigids!
Now back in devon, my hummer needs
a faster rider!

geetee - drop me an email, i'm up for exploring leith, been twice but don't know the area very well.

I actually was on for this but managed to double book a days riding, ended up going to aston hill on my intense instead. Defo up for the next one though!

'Twas a great ride, and a good opportunity to meet up with folk from here!
Need to have another one soon...

Sorry to have missed it, sounded like a good one. I went up there a little earlier to miss the traffic and the heat.

Yes, a spiffing day out in the sun was had by all I believe. 🙂 Thanks to Njee for showing us round and to the purchaser of said cheesy chips! (I forget now...)

😀

Geetee, email address in profile if you're organising anything... I know the area pretty well but always up for going out with new riding pardners, plus I think there's more stuff on Leith Hill and Redlands than I've found...

Cheers for a cracking ride, I'll have to make a re-appearance and make a more brakes-off attempt at BKB after flat landing one of the first bombholes and botteling out of the bigger one just after it started to drop down the hill!

It was a good ride, nice to meet everyone, and enjoy the perfect conditions! I'll upload the GPS course to Garmin Connect when I get a chance for anyone that wants it.

Sorry to miss the pub and cheesy chips!

Also sorry not to really catch up with the other group, you did too good a job of organising yourselves from the car park!

njee20 - Member
It was a good ride, nice to meet everyone, and enjoy the perfect conditions! I'll upload the GPS course to Garmin Connect when I get a chance for anyone that wants it.

Sorry to miss the pub and cheesy chips!

Also sorry not to really catch up with the other group, you did too good a job of organising yourselves from the car park!

Yeah, sorry about that. Time was getting on and I was concerned about petesgaff getting some riding time in what with his tight schedule and all... 8)

Didn't matter, we were gonna need to split anyway realistically!

Nest time I'll bring everything I need 🙄

Yeah that was a real shame aP, did you get out around Richmond Park?

We looked at the road warriors out there and beat a hasty retreat - did have ice creams though.
Oh well, SDW this weekend should sort us out.

[url= http://connect.garmin.com/activity/34379719 ]Here[/url] is the route for the 'quick' group, just ignore the bits to/from my house!

As STM said: down BKB, up to the Windmill, down to Jelly's Hollow, through some of twisty stuff on Winterfold, down Christmas Puddings and Ewok Village, through Bentley Copse, down into Peaslake, back up onto Pitch, T1, T2, stop in Peaslake, up Radnor Road, Yoghurt Pots, Surfer Rosa and down Telegraph. Think it was just under 20 miles.

i was ridiculously late but fast group still in carpark, thanks for waiting around a bit more. Was my first time there and was a cracking little route, better stuff than i expected, thanks to Njee for guiding us around at comfortable pace for all. SS was fine but my choice of last night bbq sausages was rubbish for energy 🙂
lol yea that bomb hole was a close your eyes moment but worked out ok for me this time. I blindly just followed the guys in front.