Well it was a ride of two halves as the saying sort of goes. Regrettably it ended up involving 3 vehicles from the Ambulance service as well…

Normally, the cry is “DOG”, or “HORSE” or maybe “WALKERS” but today I did my first “RAVE” warning. Loud Music emanating from from a group of tents in the trees, dancers and a few wasted revelers laying at the side of the by-way indicated to me that there have been a bit of a session in progress last night! That was the fins bit of the ride.

Next Matt had been complaining about poor and noisy gear change but seemed to be putting up with it until there was a nasty “this is the chain giving out” sort of a noise. However, on closer inspection it appears that someone hadn’t tightened the chainring bolts up properly and the middle ring was flapping around and somewhat bent. This left Matt a tad peeved and riding home using the granny ring.

Conditions were good to soft, with a high probability of slides so hold on to that thought for a moment. The route we were doing took in one of my favourite sections which we call Badger run but its the run on Ranmore that runs from just below the scout hut to the top of the White Down descent. I had the hammer down on the way back but recall slipping towards trees or the side drop a number of times. I got past the top of the Land Rover descent, looked back and nothing…

Ooops, waited and still nothing so I headed back to find Andy, a chap who had just joined us for the ride having seen this site, saying that Matt had had an off and was laying down for a moment. This didn’t sound like Matt so we motored back to find him laying clutching his shoulder, obviously in some pain complaining that when he tried to sit up the pain when into his neck muscles. Right, 999, and then spend a few frustrating minutes trying to explain where we were.

Dispatch to of Lee and Jez to car park to meet Paramedic, try to keep Matt’s spirits up and ensure the handily packed space blanket was doing it’s job, Paramedic arrived quite quickly it has to be said and then Lee and I went back to meet the Ambulance crew to show them the way and ask for “long board and full kit” to be bought. Matt’s wife had turned up by this point but she ended up guarding the bikes just in case we had to carry Matt out on the “long board”.

Anyway, Matt was able to walk back to where there was now a 3rd Ambulance 4 wheel drive in attendance, chatting to Helen and head off to East Surrey with a likely broken shoulder. I’ll keep you updated when I know more.

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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