Ride Report: Saturday 28th August
Enjoying the glory of the sunshine 7 of us set off on a wonderful adventure for a Saturday morning.
With the weather being rather wet this past week it was very much a case of waking up Saturday to decide what we should do, luckily we were blessed with brilliant sunshine and gorgeous blue skies the first of many things to put a smile on our faces.
Meeting up at Bockett’s farm we were all pleased to see some faces that we haven’t seen for a while and for those who hadn’t been out for a while meeting some new faces.
7 in total which is a really nice number to ride with as you get to mix with lots of people during the course of the ride.
We headed down to Alsation en route coming across a rather large group of cyclists who I assume are from Redhill as the men at the front and back had T shirts that had “Redhill” on them. We were later to come across this group again while we were over in Headley.
So up the lovely Alsation climb and fitness levels certainly increasing as 3 of us finished together at the top, not my best time at 5 mins and 10 seconds (PB 5mins 8 seconds) and 11 seconds off my goal but for some one who started the year very much at the back of the pack it felt great to be up with those I have admired for many months.
It is 2 thirds up Alsation I always can tell if I have had a late night or not eaten right the day before or even if I have skipped breakfast, for someone who always used to exercise on an empty stomach I certainly can’t do that these days and make it up Alsation in comfort.
I was feeling the benefit of my earlyish night and a small breakfast and was reminded how important these things are to prepare for long rides and hard climbs.
At the top of Alsation we headed up towards Headley where we turned right onto “Life on Mars” a tricky piece of single track with plenty of practise for getting over logs, which I confess most of the other riders were much better at than myself and more happy to give it a go where I still have this trigger in my brain that says “stop, you can’t do that” so plenty more practise required in that area.
From there we headed up onto Headley Heath where there was some play time around the bomb holes and everyone who did them looked like it was alot of fun, some dog walkers who were passing even enjoyed watching and looked like they would have loved to join in.
It was pretty muddy coming through Headley Heath but it can be very sandy in places so a bit of rain can actually be better through there especially in the sandy gravelly sections, it is a good trail for a variety of up and down and plenty of quick gear changes.
From there we headed out onto the road past the Great Western and right into the woods towards Boxhill, where we descended down Juniper bottom, I went down after Debbie but stopped at a section that is like a lay by so that I could make sure everyone went down ok it was great to see people flying past grinning from ear to ear.
From there across the A24 and up the Bridleway, continuing up to Norbury House, down the flinty section and then across into “Druid’s Grove” where we were all determined to get to the top but most thrown off by the very slippery root at the top, the ground was also really soft so it took quite a lot of effort to climb again something to keep going back to until it’s conquered.
Through Druid’s Grove back to the saw mill where some took the main path down and some took the right hand side which leads to a chalky loose downhill which is quite fun.
Completing the ride with a race up the gravel back to Bockett’s farm carpark.
A really good ride, a good few hours and the best part of the day weather wise, with discussions about who’s out next weekend and during the week we said our good byes!
It’s been a fun packed summer with loads of rides and new faces becoming part of a friendly network of females who enjoy the same activity and meet up to form a safe and sociable experience.
About the author
Cathie was introduced to mountain biking by Dave about 9 years ago but only really been riding regularly since May 2008 when she invested in a new hard tail (a white On-One classic Inbred), a wise investment as a result of being able to trial different bikes at Cycle Works demo day at Holmbury-St-Mary. She also rides a full suspension Giant Cypher which was this year's treat and saw many miles during the summer of 2010.
Cathie has attended skills days with Dirt Divas at Swinley Forest, she would like to improve her skills on bomb holes and her favourite trails are the ride over to Newlands corner loving "Whitedown" and a favourite trail through Denbies.
Cathie loves meeting other female riders of all fitness levels and experience and is hoping for less punctures in 2011 now that both bikes are wearing tubeless tyres!
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Katharine says:
Well, this was my 2nd outing with the gang and having had the entire summer of no riding and lots of eating, drinking and general merriment I was a little nervous about how things would go ! No need to worry as the gang were, as last time, so friendly that any nerves were left at Bocketts ! First fall ever and this was, according to Alice- “a funny one” ! Personally handlebars in the lower abdomen brings other phrases to mind but it was not a bad one so I at least have a fall under my belt!? I should say that this was whilst attempting to ride over , what Dave called a ‘sapling’ but I prefered to call a massive, great tree trunk !! 2nd attempt found me on the top as my pedals hit the trunk so improving but a way to go yet ! Headley heath gave me proper muddy mountain-biker legs so that was also a first ! Absolutely loved the descent of Juniper Bottom and think I might still be smiling from the adrenalin rush !
Looking forward to my next outing – thanks everyone !
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Posted on August 29, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Jem says:
Hi Cathie
Nice to read you are really enjoying the riding more and more as your confidence and ability grows.
Keep on riding.
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Posted on August 29, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Dave says:
I’m guilty for two thingsl;
1) Sapling was understating it a bit I guess!
2) For being involed in the incident that gave Rachael a bloody knee. Really sorry about that!
Some really impressive performances out there yesterday, good even paced group and everyone got stuck in and seemed to have a great ride. Particularly impressed with speed Katharine and Alice carried down JB as I didn’t wait long at the bottom. Not that speed is everything though, the Moles will tell you I often prefer technical descents to all out speed.
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Posted on August 29, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Clive Walker says:
I always read the ride reports here but I live a bit further afield in Horsham so I don’t know the North Downs area very well. Any chance you could post maps (and perhaps short descriptions) of the trails? I’d be interested to see where the trails are. Cheers
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Posted on August 30, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Debbie Gordon says:
Yet anoher fantastic femole ride covering 15 miles (which for most of us who have been hoildaying and eating too many ‘treats’ was a great day to get back to the bikes. Glorious sunny ride (lots of jibes to Dave re weather differentials between the boys and girls days) and I’ll have to be the first to admit my legs ached later… but the descent down JB was well worth the effort. Great to be out with more femoles and look forward to a eve ride on Tues.
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Posted on August 30, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Dave says:
Hi Clive,
Sent you an email about this on your website.
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Posted on August 31, 2010 at 8:35 am
DaveW says:
Clive – we get a few riders up from Horsham. Robin who joined us on Sunday for example.
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Posted on August 31, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Clive Walker says:
DaveW – Thanks, will try and make it up there for a ride one day. However, not sure re my technical skills so might need to join the ‘easy’ group! Will keep you in mind.
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Posted on September 2, 2010 at 11:07 am