Ride Report – Sunday 8th January 2012 – Back in the saddle
Today’s ride marked the first proper, full distance ride, for me in a month. Although I don’t feel 100% fit I feel a whole lot better than the past four weeks.12 Moles turned up at the Farm. MarkyMark, Gary, Steve, PaulM, Kev, Karl, BigAl, Iain, DaveS, DannyP all showed up to join me as well as a returning Andy661.
The plan was simple and entailed our Classic Reigate run which is a nice even ride after you get up Alsatian. Speaking of Alsatian I managed to check with the owner of said canines that they are still the original dogs, still going strong. The trails were surprisingly dry in many places and unsurprisingly muddy in others. Big Al and myself took out singlespeeds out for a spin and, again, it’s a great route for these simple machines (less simple in Al’s case – Ibis Tranny)
Andy661 had a small chain issue but that was soon sorted and we were soon on Headley. Weather was mild for the time of year, obviously helping the drying conditions. The trip to Reigate was uneventful and we did the cheeky loop down through Gatton Park but with the standard climb. Luckily we got to the top of Reigate Hill in time to stop Gary buying any coffee as the plan was to head straight back to Ali’s on Headley Heath to enjoy the promise of hot eccles cakes (read bacon and egg roll in BigAl’s dictionary)
On the return leg I got distracted and missed the right turn over the M25 and hence ended up in the middle of the pack yelling at the others to stop as they went past another piece of prime singletrack. DannyP trailed me down this section keeping me on my toes as I did my best to set a decent pace. MarkyMark did a superb job of looking after the back of the pack.
Ali’s Cafe now just a stones throw away and Andy661 proudly said his superior power had dropped Steve up the final climb, at least I think that’s what he said as he collapsed! Only joking! While watering and refuelling I was hailed by Rich of the DoMTB group and I exchange Seasons Greetings with him and Wobbem. They’d detoured off their route to take in SS which was out next target.
Given the conditions SS was close to perfect in terms of grip level and I took close to 20 seconds off my previous best time down there although still some way behind DannyP and BigAl who were both on fire. It’s one of the best sub 2 minutes sections in the area in my book. So good, 10 of us did it again!
From there we headed straight back to the Farm where we all agreed it was a great ride. Quote of the day goes to DannyP;
Me – “You need to get out with us more at the weekend Danny”
DannyP – “Yeah, difficult, I still like my wife”
Kev and I left it there and rode down into Fetcham.
About the author
Dave's been riding seriously since about 1997 and is one of the founding Molefathers — along with Matt and Mark — that came up with the idea of a MTB website for Mole Valley riders.
He's had several different bikes but it's now mainly 29ers in Dave's stable, apart from an Orange 5.
Current Bikes: Orange 5, Salsa Spearfish and Kona Big Unit
There are 8 comments on ‘Ride Report – Sunday 8th January 2012 – Back in the saddle’
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Big Al says:
Great ride , Great Fun , Great Banter !!!!
I must remember to turn off GPS before I drive home.
Sorry to all you roadies out there trying to set fast times up the A24 just past Dorking.
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Posted on January 8, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Big Al says:
Its Ok , I have managed to crop my ride today and taken out the part I did in my car ! Thanks Gordon.
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Posted on January 8, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Andy661 says:
Despite constant oxygen deficiency I REALLY enjoyed getting back out today although it took me uncomfortably back to couple of years ago when I first started with the Moles.
Really appreciated everyone’s good humour as I ground my way up the climbs but yes the stop at the Reigate café was a godsend!!
Gonna be MIA in Feb but with some regular phys I really hope to put in a bit better performance come March 🙂
Thanks again
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Posted on January 8, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Karl says:
Good fun ride as usual.. Cheers..
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Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:31 am
Ray k says:
Sorry I missed ride. I have a cold and just couldn’t get up. See you soon. Ray K
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Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:34 pm
KevS says:
Thought I had stumbled into the wrong website when Al’s Tranny was mentioned! No harm done and have to say he rode said Tranny hard and fast. (seing as Lee is missing thought I should do at least one dodgy innuendo) 🙂
Great ride to Reigate and back on really quite dry trails, except for a few of the usual spots that seem to stay wet and muddy all winter and it was good to see some faces that have been missing for a while.
Mr 661’s immense power knows no boundaries as his chain will testify.
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Posted on January 9, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Andy661 says:
Finally someone recognises my talents!!!
I’m going to start an “Andy661’s Off Road Sportive” where all riders have to weigh the same as me on the day of the rac by adding weights to a rucksack.
Alsatian times would be fascinating
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Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Markymark says:
Totally stoked after that ride! It’s a hugely enjoyable XC loop!
Compared to last Wednesday’s nite-ride it was drier than Ghandi’s flip-flop in places apart from that chocolate slop section on the By-Way where we passed those vehicles.
Big up to Steve-o who’s only 2 months back in the saddle after almost 10 years without a bike! Keep knocking out the 20 milers dude…
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Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:19 pm