D’Andy may like to “Go Granny”, but The Mother was the target for the select group that struggled out on Sunday.

I think something like this has been done before, and no doubt better, but here’s an alternative ride report:

Ray, Tom and Lloyd – test riding a Santa Cruz Tallboy – Wiggly Wood, Dearly Beloved, McPherson’s, The Rookery, Wolvens Lane – Tom on a time limit heads home – On to the bombholes by Deliverance, photos of the Cricket Ground roll in, Leith Hill for tea and cake. Stumbling on Big Al’s trails, Starvarl Corner and shelter from a downpour. High Ashes farm and flat tyre for Lloyd.

The Mother, The Volunteer – careful Lloyd ! – Abinger Roughs, Whitedown, Hogden Lane – mind the flints – up the rooty climb which needs to be named, Lloyd heads home down Chalkpit Lane, Ray and John split at Dorking Road.

All up 23 miles, at a good pace – every climb felt like Ray was just about to pass me. And I think Lloyd is close to taking the plunge on a 29er.

A few more snaps are on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/muddymoles/sets/72157627092804821/

About the author

John has been biking in the Surrey Hills since the late 1990s but only started riding with the MuddyMoles in 2008. In the couple of years since then he has learned more about mountain biking from the Moles than he learned in the previous ten.

Having remained loyal to his vintage pale blue and orange Stumpjumper hardtail since the last century, he has recently explored the limits of his storage space and his wife’s patience by adding an On-One Inbred Singlespeed and an Orange Five.

John is usually wearing or riding something blue and does not eat any raw fruit beginning with the letter T.