Ride Report: Sunday 26th April – Over to Leith Hill
Thankfully, the only thing in common us Moles had on Sunday with the 25,000 or so crazy folks running the Flora London Marathon was that fact that we covered 26 miles.
Other than DaveC, who was complaining of bonking (a term my wife still finds hard to relate to cycling), by the end, we were far less exhausted. Other attendees were Jez, Jem, JohnR, AndyC, Lee, Richard and Toby. We also picked up Nick on the route home, who was out for a cheeky solo training ride. I feel I need to give special mention to Lee at this point who once again attended in body, not mind, due to the ongoing sleep deprivation caused by his new arrival – it will get better Lee we promise!
So we headed to Leith via good old Yew Trees and then down the steep and fast chalky gulley to the railway line as a fun alternative to either Landrover or White Down. We really are spoilt for choice around here for fast and furious action, as witnessed by the smoking and tempered rear brake on my Inbred that JohnR was using for his final test ride today.
Next stop – The Rookery which was pretty much cleaned by all present and then up to the top of Wolverns Lane via the singletrack. DaveC suggested a trip over to Wave of Mutilation and Foot & Mouth, which represented unchartered territory to all bar him. The Redlands Woods were beautiful and were clearly once the epicentre of Leith trail building activity until use was ‘discouraged’ by the unsupportive landowners. Big shame as the stunning terrain lends itself to some highly challenging trails, most of which now belong to a bygone age. As far as a few of them go – thank goodness – way too gnarly for my liking and health.
Both trails we did take on were very technical and great fun, some of the steep drops requiring some exaggerated arse-on-the-back-tyre body positioning in order to prevent going over the bars. We also encountered the fallen tree at the bottom of Wave of Mutilation that gave Matt a serious headache a few years back – I am so totally full of respect and admiration that he even tried to ride it!
Due to time pressures, the planned attempt to find Windy Willow was shelved and we headed back from whence we came, adding Regurgitator and the obligatory Summer Lightning to the mix for very good reason – you just have to love them! I think there is probably an unwritten rule somewhere that states that mtb’ers should never ride the same trail twice in the same ride. Generally I go along with that, but I do feel the exception has to be the Rookery and Wolverns – they’re so good in equal measure whether it be up or down. Today saw me a bit over excited and finishing up in the hedge at the bottom of Wolverns but no harm done.
We headed back to Ranmore and instead of White Down or Pilgrims, we thought we’d have a crack at climbing McPherson’s Mount and Folly, which is a trail that pretty much just points directly up the hill. We all managed to get up the first part (Mount) with a few hearts bouncing off the rev-limiter on the heart monitors that so many folks use now. Whilst the general feeling was the Folly part was too much to ask, I felt I just couldn’t let it pass and off I went, telling the others I’d see them at the top. Seeing my determination, Jem followed suit.
With the forks wound right down and the point of my saddle trying to penetrate me, I am very proud to say I cleaned it without any dabs as did Jem. OK, when I got to the road, my feet were tingling and I was seeing stars, but I did it. Such an effort was worthy of reward so ice creams all round at the top.
Next up was the vicarage descent to Bagden Hill and then yet another climb, up Crabtree Lane to pick up the Norbury Park thrash across to the radio mast. The end now in sight, we headed over to Infestation for a furious and root infested descent to Bocketts Farm to finish on a high.
Another great ride with lots of climbing, fast descents and technical sections. A big up to Jez on his singlespeed, who was convinced we were trying to kill him today. Yes, we did try, but you’re too damn fit!
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John Romer says:
Glad to see you all had a great time after I peeld off. It was perfect weather.
On the way back I tried McPherson’s Mount on Colin’s singlespeed and stalled about 2/3rds up – but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Jez cleaned it, his fitness level is excessive.
Well done Colin & Jem on cleaning McP’s Folly first time, it tokk me several goes before I managed it.
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Posted on April 27, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dave says:
Classic ride! Not sure everyone got up M’s Mount though as I’m sure I saw Jez and Jem dismount in the haze ahead of me. No idea who cleared it behind me as I was too busy trying not to over oxygenate!! WoM is just as scary as I remember it and apart from the damn tree, F&M was a hoot!
Quote of the day was from AndyC whilst stopped eating ice cream, “The wafers aren’t what they used to be”
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Posted on April 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Jez says:
I in no way can lay claim to cleaning McPherson’s. It well and truly taught me a lesson on how stupid a bike with one gear is and I pushed a lot of the first section and didn’t even consider the second bit. It’s just a bit too steep and a bit too long to do. Humpf.
****shakes fist at hill *****
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Posted on April 27, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Andy C says:
Speaking as one who has run the London Marathon (admittedly 6 years ago now), I was pretty knackered after Sunday’s ride. You definitely weren’t alone, Dave. BTW, the connoisseurs wafer of choice has to be the “waffle” style, I suggest. Maybe a separate thread needed for a topic of this importance?
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Posted on April 27, 2009 at 6:52 pm
jem says:
Great ride on Sunday and blessed with a superb sunny spring morning, together with good company.
I was riding like a complete toss…!! The brain to limb signal was scrambled with not a lot of coordination going on. Oh well hopefully better next ride out.
Well done everyone for getting up M’s Mount. Dave I did get up although it was in granny ring, it must have been the double vision you were having due to the over oxygenating!
Jez I know you did not get right to the top, but you were not far away and on your single. Bloomin good effort, considering we had covered 23 miles at that point and every other hill you breezed up.
Good show chaps!
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Posted on April 28, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Gary says:
Nice ride report Colin!
Some new trail names there for me and definitely something I would love to join you guys for next time you are doing something similar.
perhaps you can give us a heads up on DOAMTB?
cheers
gary
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Posted on May 1, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Colin says:
Hello Gary. Yeah i’ll give you the nod next time we plan a trip over there. There sure are some trails to satisfy your appetite for gnarl!
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Posted on May 1, 2009 at 10:30 pm