Sussex-MTB

We got to the car park a bit late and were surprised to see that it was already full, mostly with Sussex MTBers it has to be said. Unpacking the car we were soon off on our normal route out to Sleepy Hollow where I took my usual line of The Spine rather than the Steep Drop which everyone else seemed to prefer including a few of the newibes who had not been to Pitch before.

Heading out toward Judge’s Seat it became clear that there we a few people chomping at the bit to get going and so they headed of while Bobster circled at the top of the seat looking for a nice line,,,, for Dobby. He sent it off the side drop having been back on the bike for 10 minutes following a 4 months lay off. I guess it’s true what they say about riding a bike, you never forget how to do it.

Dobby

We then headed off on our normal route towards the Bombholes for a bit of a play. Some got a bit carried away at this stage and I’ve still no idea how Cooper held it having launched himself out of the 2^nd bombhole and coming down in the 3^rd one, good work that man I really thought you were heading off to A&E. Bobster also deserves a mention for finally getting his wheels off the ground coming out of the 1^st Bombhole, I even caught it on camera so there can be no arguments.

Bobster gets air

Dobby

We then decided to sample the rest of the singletrack in the area including the switchbacks which have a very interesting new section down to the bottom. This involves a few more switchbacks rather than the off camber decent we are all used to.

Velociraptor

At this point I will tell you that the trails were amazing, really fast and dry and the run down to Peaslake on the Freeborn Trail was taken at full tilt, so much so that I was first to the regroup point halfway down and then to the road at the bottom.

A quick refuel at Peaslake with tea and Bakewell (cheers Dobby) and we headed off towards the top of Barry Knows Best but rather than just nailing it back down we decided to head on over to The Yoghut Pots to see if they have dried out yet and I’m pleased to say that they have. The new entrance is really nice and the Pots were so swoopy and grippy that we all decided to ride them twice and even rode Doc once, but that wasn’t as good.

By this time one or two of the group were starting to feel it in their legs so it was decided that we would head back to BKB via Return of the Jedi which was its normal fast and fun self.

So to the final decent of the day down BKB. Martin and Marko went off at break neck speed followed by the rest of us, although I don’t think we kept up for long. If Yoghut Pots had been good BKB was on top form with what seemed like less slippy roots and more hits and drops than normal to launch off and I can’t wait till the improvements that have been mentioned to the end of it happen,,,, I understand that some bermed switchbacks are on the cards for the future rather than the current, pick a line and hang on, affair that we have. Still it left us all with massive grins on our faces.

So all that was left was for the long slog back up to the car although for some reason I still felt quite fresh in my legs and think I could have gone on a bit longer but thats being saved for another day.

Cheers to all for what was truly a fantastic trip, I sometimes don’t quite feel connected to the trail when riding at Pitch and struggle with the rootyness of the place but must say that based on last weekend I can’t wait to get back up there.

Well done to Crut, Richard, Jo and Cooper for taking in their stride what ever they were thrown down on their first trips to Pitch Hill, oh and good to see Dobby out again.

BigSi