Ride report: Sunday 12 July – Leith Hill
With mixed weather looking like it might spoil the ride a total of nine riders gathered for today’s ride.
Terry rejoined us for the first time since Christmas on a sparkling, carbon Scott and Andy has finally received his Whyte PRST-4 replacement in the form of an E5 frame and other new “bits”. Paul, Mark, Tony, Lee, Barrie, Colin and myself made up the rest of the nine with apologies for absence from Jem and Matt.
A quick blast over to Leith Hill was the chosen route and we set off making a good pace although it was soon clear that my diesel rhythm was struggling to keep up with the pace at the front. What I was able to do was cycle up to the waiting pack, trundle on past and get a good 50ms on them before they realised I wasn’t stopping!
We made it over to Leith Hill in good time but the climb up to the tower itself was full of debris that had been washed down and most (if not all but I was way back by then) failed to clear it in one. Replenished we headed down Personal Hygiene and back towards Summer Lightning via Waggle Dance. On the way we had a look at Deliverance and Andy and I decided it was the thing to do so we clattered down and joined the other to Waggledance. Summer Lightning was a bit wet but we pressed on hard making good time to Wolverns Lane before we had our first puncture with Paul being the casualty. Slime liners had made a neat little slice through the tube!
Spare tube in we pushed on as some of the team were now worried about the time and headed for White Down. Next for a tube failure was myself with a nasty split on the tube filling the tyre with gunk. Paul was on hand to assist which was a good thing after I found my spare tube was for my 29er! So we repaired his punctured tube and pushed on but the others were now well gone. No matter as we kept things moving to find Andy guiltily about to leave a note on Paul’s car hoping we were OK.
25 miles for me by the time I reached home and a switch to Vertical tyres helped the “feel” of the Inbred no end!
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
There are 4 comments on ‘Ride report: Sunday 12 July – Leith Hill’
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Matt says:
Thanks for the write up Dave, I’d have fancied that ride except I was starting to feel a bit ropey.
By the evening I had a huge temperature and sore throat, was convinced I had swine flu! It’s probably tonsillitis so I’m putting my feet up this week.
All this talk of new bikes and forks has got me hankering for some new kit too! If only…
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Posted on July 13, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Mark says:
Another great ride out and weather held out to!
Paul, hope you’re not to sore after that tumble, if its any consolation you crash well!
Looking forward to the next outing.
Cheers All
Mark
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Posted on July 13, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Dave says:
Actually I feel a bit bad for not making some note that the Land Rover descent claimed Paul as a victim but he carried on a finished the ride although feeling rather stiff by the end of it. I know it’s claimed me more than once!
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Posted on July 13, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Paul says:
Cheers guys, I was just getting a closer look at Andy’s new E5 🙂
Ah, yes, I have loads of experience with that manoeuvre, but I try not to show it off too often! My lower back still smarts a bit 🙁
Still enjoyed the ride despite my little mishap, thanks guys!
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Posted on July 13, 2009 at 10:40 pm