Pitching about in the sun

Despite the early forecast, Sunday 26th April dawned a beautiful sunny morning, perfect for riding dusty technical trails for hours. So it was that I set off from home to ride the 20 or so miles to Pitch hill, sun on my back, if a bit on the chilly side. After about an hour I got to Peaslake and bumped into Jimbo in the lower car park. We rode together up the hill, Jimbo setting the pace and then saying it was the fastest ascent of the valley he’d done. Nowt to do with me…

There was a fair gathering at the car park, so after the mandatory faffing we all set off towards Sleepy Hollow, which was cleared without drama by all. From here we took the usual route up to Judges Seat, the scene of regular pontification on the subject of ‘to drop or not to drop’. As Jimbo aptly demonstrates, today was no exception:

Top View

Bobster put words into action by going off the smaller lip:

Bobster

And Tom showed the ‘old guard’ just how old they’re getting by nailing some new lines and getting those new wheels airborne:

Tom

Onward then, down the hill, the trails fast, dry and dusty. We love the spring and summer! I took to the front to get set for photo opportunities, and having nearly flattened 2 dogs and a rather shell shocked owner, first Jimbo and later in the train Si came past:

Jimbo

After gathering a t the bottom and a brief father to son “Slow Down and save some energy” chat (that was completely ignored, good work Tom) we headed off towards the Bombholes and further opportunity for wheels to leave the ground. There were many attempts by various adults, but the biggest airtime was once again from Tom – the pic doesn’t do the jump justice – take my word for it that the rear wheel got as high as the front…

Tom

Andy

Bobster

We progressed round Pitch and the surrounding areas, with everyone riding well. We headed down ‘The Switchback trail’ then up the long gravel track, before regrouping with Jimbo and Tom, heading across the road and down the ‘Freeborn Trail’ suitably surprising one of many groups of girls hiking about on the way down. (What was the maths Andy, something about 2 x 15?)

Pete

Boyz

Having ended this section in Peaslake village, we then headed up Holmbury hill, the first section on the road, then going off road for the climb to the reservoir. Depending on your point of view, this was a high point or an embarrassing low point of the ride. What we found in the car park was some sliced logs put together to form a fairly small raised balance beam. Whilst a large percentage of the group pontificated some more, Tom went straight across first time. The gauntlet had been thrown then… What followed was a dismal showing of poor riding from a good few riders that can do so much better, me being number one candidate, very few of whom even made it halfway across. Needless to say, Tom proved it wasn’t a fluke and proceeded to complete it several times, as the rest of the group fell off to the left and to the right, went over the bars and knocked the beams over. Highly amusing…

Humbled, we carried on up to the top of Holmbury, then headed down Yoghurt pots, which was in top order – flowing nicely and dry. This was the furthest east the group went, and my cue to split and head back towards Leith hill, Summer Lightening, the Holly Trail and into Dorking.

The long climb from Holmbury village up to the Leith Tower got my heart picking up, and I really enjoyed the hard packed and fast ascent. I resisted temptation and didn’t stop for cake at the tower, heading straight for ‘Deliverance’ the subsequent singletrack and onto Summer Lightening, which really lived up to it’s name. From here it was down the ‘Holly Trail’ and into Dorking, which this time, marked the end for me as I was meeting the family in Dorking.

All in all a top ride, Tom proving (again) that he can mix it with anyone, good company and good trails. Let’s do it again sometime…

Big Daddy

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