Ride report: Wednesday 14 April – Abba Zabba
Last night’s ride was atypical for many reasons. New riders, a fast pace, a trip over to the Abba Zabba complex and, to the satisfaction of everybody, completely dry trails.
It feels like we’ve earned it.
Arriving at the garage as usual I had no idea who was likely to appear. Pretty soon however I was joined by Polish Adam who had brought along a couple of friends, Amanda and Darren. Looking at their high-end bikes it was clear they were experienced riders; knowing Adam I was pretty certain they’d be reasonably quick too. So it turned out.
Minutes later our group was swelled by the arrival of Colin, Tony, James, AndyC and Lee making nine in total. After a bit of chat I settled on the idea of heading toward Abba Zabba, partly because it was still daylight (and that makes you think you can do anything!) and partly because if people have travelled a fair distance to see you it’s only polite to show them some good stuff. Amanda had come all the way from New Zealand…
So, off up Crabtree Lane, along Dog Sh!t alley (what is it with dog owners?) and then into Wiggly Wood, chasing Tony who was not showing any mercy. My legs were still feeling it from the weekend but I managed to hang on before I lead everyone past the big field and down the chalky descent to the Polesden Estate.
Bone dry everywhere.
After nipping across the road we were soon climbing up to Ranmore past the Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel with everyone still setting a pretty quick pace. As a result we were keeping together quite well so generally managed to keep the stops to a minimum.
The Tanners climb may now be dry (even the clag at the top thank God) but it is still a slog which had us all digging in hard. Leading the ride was a bit of a stress for me as you never know what people are comfortable with pace-wise and I was pretty sure the Adam and co could go considerably quicker than me.
Next on the agenda was a zip along Badger Run and onto Collarbone where I let the riders with gears and better fitness stretch ahead. In fact, in places I felt a bit graceless over some of the roots and ruts and was definitely feeling tired at the time. Having reached White Down though my spirits revived with the prospect of Abba Zabba coming up.
We were soon flying down the singletrack round there at speed, knowing there was no wet and rooty gotchas to catch us out and pretty soon we were at the top of Abba Zabba. Darren, Adam and Amanda threw themselves down it quite happily as did a few of our regular riders, with some clearing the tree on the up slope and others taking the more conservative line.
I took the chicken run, partly because Abba Zabba is my bogey obstacle and partly because I like the techy, noodly nature of the chicken run! If Abba Zabba would segue way seamlessly into that I’d be very happy.
Blind Terror came up next and I had already decided to give that a go, my first time in the dark as it happens. Conditions couldn’t be better at the moment as you can see all the way down and it’s lovely and dry. A few more weeks with all the trees in leaf and it will look quite different.
After that, across the road to Numbskull with everyone taking it easy on account of the deepening gloom. Even so, the final turn and jump at the bottom was quite manageable with everyone making it down to the road without mishap, although Adam had a brush with the undergrowth.
Popping out onto the road near Abinger Roughs we picked up the valley toward Dorking. We were setting such a quick pace I even think a run to Newlands could have been on the agenda tonight but instead we headed for the Denbies vineyard via the long trackway climb with gritted teeth and a little more tarmac than I’d really like. No matter, it was a great evening to be out with no breeze and just a sliver of a moon in the sky.
Coming down through Denbies was a great blast as I lead us all down the loose, flinty upper section before popping out onto the chalky mid part that disappeared behind me at high speed. That recent DIY fork service appears unaccountably to have given me quite a lot of confidence at the moment!
Back on the A24 we still had a bit of work ahead of us after Colin peeled off for home. Some of us were starting to feel the pace by now and understandably so but not Adam, Darren and Amanda who looked (to be honest) like they were just getting started.
A climb up Crabtree Lane lead us onto the River Run along to Norbury. Just steady, fast distance under the wheels really but still great fun to be out in the woods at night.
Our final flourish included the grassy slopes of Fetcham Downs where I paid the penalty of being the ‘rabbit sweeper’ out in front, nearly taking out several on the way down before taking the tree on the right hand side. Bad move, very easy to run out of trail there when your running at speed. Behind me Adam had a narrow escape by all accounts, nearly hitting the same tree.
By the time we reached the garage I knew we’d put in a good night’s entertainment and examining my HRM at home told the same story (average HR of 149, peak 181). Including about a mile and a half to home I had 18.5 miles on the speedo at an average pace of 10.2mph. All told that’s a lot to pack in over the course of a ride that took just 2 hours and 15 minutes including stops!
A good night. Adam, Darren and Amanda you’re very welcome to join us again but you got lucky tonight with the weather (and the fact we could keep up)! It’s not always quite so intense, but the chat’s a constant feature!
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 9 comments on ‘Ride report: Wednesday 14 April – Abba Zabba’
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kc says:
Wow! Sounds like a cracking pace.
As I commuted through Richmond Park this morning I saw a breathless MTBer hands on knees looking in pain with bike on the ground. For a moment I thought about turning back to see if he was ok. Then I saw in the rear view mirror that he was doing some pushups!! Another on the 100 p/u programme perhaps.
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Posted on April 15, 2010 at 2:06 pm
James says:
It was a good workout and I must be getting a bit fitter. Also managed 38 pushups after. I’m too sexy for my shirt too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
And I’m too sexy for Milan too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
lol….takeaway tonight 🙂
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Posted on April 15, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Lee says:
I ate my awaiting dinner cold because I didn’t have the presence of mind to operate the microwave and fell asleep on the sofa knowing the stairs presented too much of a challenge!
BTW, James, which ‘Fred’ were you in that Video? The bald one on the left or the bald one on the right? 😉
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Posted on April 15, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Andy661 says:
Trails are sounding good!
My Malvern weekend has fallen through so i’ll be seeing you all Sunday.
Oh and P7’s have finally arrived to so some night rides will be on the cards too from now on. Did the standard “do they work” test by looking into it and promptly blinding myself. That’ll be a yes then. . .
SPD’s here too so now all the gear and no idea. And no excuses either. Gulp!
See you Sunday!
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Posted on April 16, 2010 at 9:05 am
jdubya says:
Ohh where is Abba Zabba – is it on the ranmore side?
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Posted on April 16, 2010 at 11:01 am
Dave says:
Hi jdybya,
I’ll mail you the location….. obviously if I told you on here I’d have to kill ya! ;o)
You are basically right though!
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Posted on April 16, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Matt says:
Help! I’ve been riding up over Ranmore common now a few times but, can’t seem to find any of these great trails you talk about, such as Blind Terror 1 & 2, Abba Zabba etc. Please could you help me out and point me in the right direction. Thanks, Matt.
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Posted on August 7, 2010 at 6:06 pm
pij says:
Hi Matt,
I’ve no idea which trail relates to which name, but I’ll hazzard a guess that if you ride on Ranmore, then you’ve ridden at least one, if not more, of these. Some are hidden fairly well, but there are always clues to a trail location. For instance if you are on White Hill there are three good ones that run straight off the top in a vaguely southern direction; from memory only one is signposted as a bridleway – this being the ultimately steep run down to a small car park. If you find this, then you’ll notice at the bottom there is a trail running off to the right. This is the exit trail from two others [possibly Chain Breaker and Alpine? Somebody correct me.]. If you find an exit, it’s only a matter of following it backwards to find the trail head.
I worked Alsation out for myself from memory alone, as I remember the original dogs that used to bound up to the fence!
OS maps, Google and plain observation on the ground pay dividends. For instance you see a rider disappear off somewhere, either follow them or file it away in memory, look the route up, then do it later on when you have the time. Don’t always copy these guys; find your own routes around.
Also some of the routes have questionnable legality, being footpaths so people are loath to publicise them too much. Ahem.
Good hunting!
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Posted on August 7, 2010 at 7:57 pm
pij says:
Excellent local knowledge, map reading and memory skills from PIJ. Ranmore is plainly not Mickleham!
Apologies for huge locational error, but the general gist is still the same….. And do you really want to find Dog Sh*t alley???
PIJ eating a small portion of humble pie. Can’t blame me for being keen though!!
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Posted on August 7, 2010 at 8:01 pm