Non-Mayhem Moles head to Newlands Corner
A smaller company of Moles not seduced by the delights of Mountain Mayhem or Bruce Springsteen gathered at the normal Bocketts Farm meeting place, principally to admire Ray showing off his Stelvio mountain pass ride top. He refused to take it off all day, although this was his third layer, compared to my one!
For their sins, the five of us (Jez, Lloydy, Ray, and his mate Andy) were happy to accept my suggestion of Newlands Corner via Abba Zabba. Andy is a fit (not in the ‘buff’ sense, as you can see from the pics) roadie but relatively new to mountain biking, so Ray selflessly (and rather too promptly) volunteered to show him the less technical options on AZ.
So off we went, via the Hogden Lane descent to Pamplona, then the last section of the Yew Trees climb before tackling Badger Run and Collarbone. Lloydy resisted the lure of Land Rover (not yet ridden since his last shoulder injury down there). He also resisted my attempts to get him to reprise his tackling of the crumbling log pile on Trouble in Paradise. This was wise, as I was in fact confusing him with Akak’s recent successful attempt. Well these tall blokes all look the same in their Moles tops (as you will find out further on in this report).
Various lines were taken down the Aba Zabba complex, with Jez and myself having some sketchy moments around the first tree. Abinger Roughs took us to Abinger, then the usual route around the back of Shere and Albury to Water Lane.
I was resigned to bringing up the rear on this climb, but was encouraged as I slowly honed in on Lloydy’s green Mole top. Within 20 metres, I was devastated to discover this wasn’t Lloydy but another rider out for a Sunday morning suffer fest who happened to have a similar appreciation of lime green. Doh!
Fuelled by cappuccinos and muffins, we headed along the North Downs Way before taking a little detour down a fine singletrack descent that runs roughly parallel with the bridlepath climb from Combe Lane. Having all safely negotiated this descent, we then had to suffer the climb.
This took its toll of my suffering legs, and Andy kept me company as Jez, Lloydy and Ray disappeared from view. Turning right off the trackway to head back to the reservoir, it became apparent that the front three had headed straight on. Voicemail messages were left on various phones, and Andy and I retraced our outward route to Ranmore.
It seemed a shame not to sample the delights of Golden Nugget, so Andy and I took the road past the church before picking up the bridlepath at the top of Ranmore Common Road and GN. Heading back to Bocketts via Polesden Lacey, Connicut Lane and the Admirals Track.
Andy took a call from Ray when we were just five minutes away from Bocketts. It seems that realising they’d lost us, they retraced their route along the North Downs Way before concluding we’d headed via another route. They then headed back to Bocketts via a direct route as possible, so missing out on GN. Sorry guys, but if you will go charging off ….
Ride stats (including the 4 miles to and from the start for me):
Ride time = 3 hours 20 minutes
Distance = 30.6 miles
Avg speed = 9.2 mph
Total time (incl stops) = 4 hours 20 minutes
About the author
Having been mountain biking since 1996, you might have expected Dandy to have learnt to ride a bike by now. Several broken bones in the last few years prove the maxim that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
In between hospital visits, Dandy rides a brace of much-blinged Pace RCs, the 'green themed' 405 and the silver & gold 506. His winter hack is the Moles' favourite, an On-One 456 hardtail, now converted to an Alfine hub He also dabbles in 'the dark arts', keeping 2 road bikes in one of his seven sheds.
There are 6 comments on ‘Non-Mayhem Moles head to Newlands Corner’
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Ray k says:
Thanks for a great ride Dandy and for taking Andy under your wing the offer of sweeties was probably a step too far. Did my bottom look big in that Stelvio top.
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Posted on June 16, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Dandy says:
No, Ray. Only your head looked big 😉
I did turn the conversation to Gladiator movies when Andy and I were all alone in the woods, but as soon as I asked him if he’d ever seen a grown man naked, he sped off and I didn’t catch him until Ranmore 🙁
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Posted on June 16, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Andy says:
Thanks for a great morning and introduction to mtb. Will brush up on roman films for next time. See you soon.
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Posted on June 17, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Lloyd says:
That was a fun and pretty brisk ride. You do keep the pace up and the stops short with a small(and select) group. Ray raced up all the hills in JR’esque style to show the Stelvio top was justly earned. After realigning the front caliper last night and had a free running front wheel and i really enjoyed the Yelli and felt good all day, well except for water lane when i wished for less than the 32 on the front ring.
Thanks for leading out Dandy and for showing a few new sneaky trails down coombe lane way.
Lloyd
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Posted on June 16, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Markymark says:
Great ride Dandy. I love that route and am ashamed at having neglected mtb’ing for the road recently. You have inspired me to get the baggies back out.
Pristine trails no doubt?
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Posted on June 17, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Dandy says:
Mostly dry, Mark, with the very occasional mud patch. By recent standards, I can’t complain …. but it’s supposed to be ‘Flaming June’ fer f***s sake 🙁
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Posted on June 17, 2013 at 9:05 pm