Surrey Hills organised downhill event

Many years ago (and a few stone heavier) I went out on one of their ‘social’ rides, and although they waited for me as soon as I caught up they’d set off, spoke about 3 words to me all day. Disn’t go out again with them. I went out with other shops at the time on ‘social’ rides and managed fine theirs was considerably quicker.

Loco, where did you work with Rowan at? I too used to work with Rowan in a former life…..

Just hope whitedown doesn’t go the same way – and we certainly dont need anymore advertising of trails etc

you’ve changed your tune!

fair point but organised events and mentioning a trail on the interweb are not exactly the same thing!

Just off to try “WD” ….hope its not too crowded now!!

I love the on-going debate about mentioning places – why is it that we are so, so sensitive about Surrey Hills but much more relaxed about other areas?

Joking apart, does anyone have a feel for how hard this is likely to be. Without mentioning too many names obviously, why type of riding would be considered a basic minimum standard?

Has anyone actually phoned/spoken to Nirvana to see if this is a real event?

well I really don’t think this is a good idea. Cannot believe NT have given permission…they have just knocked down Hot Burrito and G Angel

That’ll be after the complaint I put in after breaking my arm on the gap on Hot Burrito then.

Just kidding about the complaint.

have they really been trashed then?

I’ve got to say that a greasy Ranmore Common would not be my idea of the place to run an open entry DH/Enduro style event- fair enough when the weather’s fine, but without a lot of work I reckon it could be carnage if there’s been damp weather and they get a turnout of your average trail rider (i.e. me)wanting to have a go cos it’s local.

I’m really surprised about this too frankly. Racing on public rights of way isn’t allowed, and considering the contentious land use on the private areas I’m surprised they’re allowing this to go ahead.

It’s the real deal, data on the Nirvana website

http://www.nirvanacycles.com/

Be good for me as i ride the surrey hills a lot but never been bothered to explore the ranmore side of things; seems to be the perfect trail guide.

As long as you don’t mind the jumpy, droppy side I’d guess. I’d be taking with a pinch of salt comments about everything being ‘rollable’…

Yeah, even though i’m rubbish at the drops/jumps that style of riding is more my thang. Although I went on a nirvana ride once and it was rubbish. Ride/carry bike through a half beaten track in the woods for ages, come to small drop, do that and then repeat ride/carry section.

I’ve seen the two trails they’re building up there. No jumps planned but they’re typical Ranmore – i.e. steep and off camber. One looks slower and more technical, steep descents followed by 90 degree turns etc, the second doesn’t look too bad at all. Can be very slippery on Ranmore if damp but it puts all the riders in the same boat I guess.

Regarding minimum standard someone mentioned above: if you’re comfortable on some of the more technical trails on Pitch and Winterfold, you’ll be okay (you know the ones I mean). If Barry and Summer Lightening is your limit, then I’d say “not for you”

might go up myself later. am wfh today and ranmores been staring me out all day.

surprised they’re doing it, thinking about the health and safety you need for a paid-for event and how sketchy it is. Really hope nothing goes wrong. An accident on something like this has had big consequences on unsanctioned trails in other parts of the country.

TBH I think nirvana are pushing it too far as usual.

And I’m assuming (perhaps unfairly) that it’ll be run on similar grounds to their rides: if you’re not up to it tough!

It’s about time there was a DH race in Surrey, after all Surrey is the home of the largest number of long travel trail / DH bikes in Western Europe

As long as you don’t mind the jumpy, droppy side I’d guess. I’d be taking with a pinch of salt comments about everything being ‘rollable’…

Yep, there’s stuff there that you just have to hit at speed to carry you through, while somehow staying on the bike. A tough place to clean without dabbing/offing. Did my ribs there a few years ago.

Regarding minimum standard someone mentioned above: if you’re comfortable on some of the more technical trails on Pitch and Winterfold, you’ll be okay (you know the ones I mean).

If you can clean each of the (3?) Wedgie trails then you’re laughing.

Used to own two of them back in the day, but not anymore. And the one nearer the bottom (with the tree jumps) is no easier.

surprised they’re doing it, thinking about the health and safety you need for a paid-for event and how sketchy it is. Really hope nothing goes wrong. An accident on something like this has had big consequences on unsanctioned trails in other parts of the country.

On that williamsextreme site it says that the practise day is unmarshalled with no medical facilities/support 😆

Also showing further rounds in December and Feb.

And I’m assuming (perhaps unfairly) that it’ll be run on similar grounds to their rides: if you’re not up to it tough!

Perhaps a little unfairly – this is billed as a downhill race and not a singletrack ride etc. Horses for courses really, expect downhill type obstacles and associated competence needed if you enter a downhill race.

DTP – might you be referring to something like F**T***** with ist new jumps. If so, I had better wait another you and get the skills level up a bit.

ah so they are building new trails for the event?
whitedown?

Ok found wedgie, I think. Definitely not me, yet!!

DTP – might you be referring to something like F**T***** with ist new jumps. If so, I had better wait another you and get the skills level up a bit.

No, was thinking of some of the steeper stuff without jumps – ‘Johnson and Johnson’ springs to mind as does ‘All the Pies’

ah so they are building new trails for the event?
whitedown?

Yes, 2 new trails being built for the purpose. No planned jumps (Simon may change his mind though)

Sorry to hijack thread, but how do you build up to something like J&J?

I was following a group down there not knowing where they were going earlier this summer. It all looks so innocent and then BANG you are at the lip. How much is just bottle and how much technique. Are any of the courses good at teaching that kind of stuff or is it a question of time in the saddle and building up to it?

I like to go there on my own so i have plenty of time, walk it first, thinking it through, then roll it, then go for it.

Cant believe they knocked down Hot Burrito – it was one of those I was “building up” to!!

I’ll be entering. I heart Simon’s rides.

Looking at the links it seems billed as an Enduro with six timed special stages and so also sounds like an Enduro (except with timed push ups as opposed to riding between stages)
I would expect Enduro stages to be easier (in terms of risk) because normally you cannot practice the stages. Riding a course with big gaps or any high consequence stuff blind would be a bit foolish. Downhill races you get to walk the track and practice, even if you arrive for the first time on race day. Also the norm for Enduro is a bit less protection to allow for pedalling between stages.
I am banned from downhill racing but tempted to give this a go as not too far away. However I am doing the Southern Series super Enduro (my first Enduro and so take all the above with a pinch of salt) near Aldershot on 2nd Oct and then going on a bike holiday to Spain and so unlikely to get an all day pass for another full biking day out. Hope it all goes well and that as a consequence they do another. Will look forward to reports and photos.

As for Williams Extreme Events, Rich has been an MD of some very big events firm and yes organised the london Marathon, and he is now going it alone.

it is a brand new company and this will be their first event.

Testimony to his skills he has managed to get permission to have a race on Ranmore (no easy task) and got some big brands along in the time it takes most organisers to even thinka bout what to do.

should be a great event.

it is deffo a real event. i coached richard the organiser so i’ll be tehre having a beer with him on the day 🙂

With regard to Hot Burrito… only the second gap jump has been demolished, rest of it’s still there. Give it a few weeks and I’m sure said jump will magically re-appear!

Yes your right Mr Pixie – G Angel still there 😀

Do we know what bikes this is aimed at?? 150/160mm AM type bikes or is it full on DH rigs??

Do we know what bikes this is aimed at?? 150/160mm AM type bikes or is it full on DH rigs??

More 150/160mm AM bikes than full on DH rigs. Website states that any bike can be used but knowing the area, I’ll be taking my AM bike.

Jedi – As a bung for your bike training why not set yourself up somewhere on the course with a skills type clinic/advice during practice. If nowt else it would be good PR for you i would have thought. There’s bound to be loads of people, me included, that aren’t riding the drops correctly or have their weight in the wrong position. Or you could maybe charge a fee as a follow you down style single run training or just offer for free?

Suggestion comes from seeing a similar thing in action on the ski slopes in whistler where you get tidbit tips from instructors.

Along the lines of “That was shit. Give me five quid and I’ll tell you why” ?

Along the lines of “That was shit. Give me five quid and I’ll tell you why. You’ll then know why and you’ll still be shit” ?

FTFY

Oh dear,
just walking the dog down the coach road and the NT ranger just drove past in her land rover. In the back were the ramps, northshore and logs used to build Hot Buritto…

She then stoppped where the trail hits the coach road, got out with several other people and started investigating things 😥

Can’t really see how a sanctioned event has been allowed by the NT!!!

DH event? Nice troll.

I still remember the proposed chair lift and bike park from a couple of years ago 😆

gotama,
i’ll be there drinking beer and watching the fun 🙂