Ride report: Wednesday 26 August – We Three Moles
With Matt busy slaving over the new logo… or as we call it, throwing another sicky, the inclement weather had cut our numbers in a true show of sorting the moles out from the boys.
The Stig, AndyC (that’s the original AndyC) and myself gathered at the usual place and pondered our moral high ground and increasing damp clothing. I made the decision to do the East Horsley loop so we trudged up to Ranmore and enjoyed the long run down into East Horsely, then to Effingham and I peeled off home.
The Stig sent me a few stats today that we can ponder over. I recorded an average speed of 9.9mph and The Stig recorded a total event time of 2 hr 42 mins with time in motion of 2 hr 15mins. He reckons it’s normally closer to 60% motion so we really upset the averages!
What more can I say, it was wet, I couldn’t see a thing with my glasses on and I really need to put the SKS blade on the Spider or do the inner tube thing to the top of the forks. The nettles were also stinging having been bent over to allow us to brush virgin growth as we sped past.
All in all a really enjoyable ride!
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 6 comments on ‘Ride report: Wednesday 26 August – We Three Moles’
We love to get comments from our readers - if you've spent a few moments to comment, thank-you.
If you haven't had a chance yet, jump to our comments form if you have something to say.
Leave a comment…
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Matt says:
It’s true I am working on a new logo which we can use in a few places beyond the website.
My main aim is to get some of those RRP Neoguards made up with the new logo – seems ideal for us and will be perfect for D2D. Save your pennies if you’re planning a purchase soon – it’s one of the main reasons the logo needs to work well in outline.
No progress yesterday though, was crook but improving today… and there was you lot thinking I just didn’t want to get my new forks dirty!
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Andy C says:
Too right about the nettles, they were still stinging at 11pm as I was in the shower washing all the mud & frogs intestines off my legs!
A good blast though, and the On-One is now nice ‘n sparkly for Sunday.
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 1:20 pm
James says:
I was going to join you guys as I have yet ride with you. Trouble is I didn’t have the car to meet you as I live in Kingston which is a bit of a hike away. I am also updating the frame on my old Cannondale and was looking at the on one inbred so would like your advise. Will try and join you at another time. Keep up the good work.
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Andy C says:
Hi James – I live in Kingston too, so perhaps we can sort something out once you get your bike sorted.
I have just acquired an On-One 456, like several of the Moles. In many ways it’s an ideal bike for the North Downs. It seems to have a forgiving back end to absorb much of the bumps, yet has plenty of ‘zip’ for the uphills too. As there are no massive rock gardens to play in, the lack of full sus is not a big issue.
I seem to struggle with lofting the front end over obstacles, and can’t get it anywhere near a manual. Perversely, the front end seems to lift too easily when climbing. Maybe I need to get used to it as I’ve only ridden it 3-4 times.
Colin has a Dialled Bikes ‘Price Albert’. Similar in many ways to the On-One, but a more local company. See his review in the ‘Bikes’ section. Worth looking at those as well, as Colin seems to have no problem getting the front end up, but he does have 4 kids 🙂
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Matt says:
Nice one Andy, generous, informative and amusing at the same time!!
A short car park spin on Colin’s PA struck me as being much more upright than the On-one, quite a jumpy feel to it almost – the PA has quite a few North Downs fans between us and DoMTB riders.
Personally I rate the value of the On-one having seen many riders take to them like a duck to H2O. I find mine to be a perfect balance for all-round riding but after years on a racy full-sus machine I too found it to be a bit light on the front end initially. I mentioned it to others who all said ‘eh?!’ and have to admit it was probably just me in hindsight.
These days I find it’s like the original Mini car – almost telepathic in it’s direction changes.
Dave, forgot to mention earlier – my 22 mile ride on Saturday averaged 11.2mph… no wonder I felt crap this week!
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm
James says:
Posted a reply but forgot to put the mystery letter in the box. AndyC my email is james0001@hotmail.com email me as I ride most nights. My bike is fine but I just want to update frame. I am on a budget(2 kids, mortgage, wife car and motorbike) so little left for bike!! So I was drawn towards the on-one after meeting a guy who rode one on an Evans event in Dorking last weekend.
Add a new comment, or
Posted on August 27, 2009 at 6:36 pm