Off-Road Club run, this Saturday 9th May, 8.30am

[higg]

As announced at last weeks club run there will be an off-road option next Saturday 9th May.

The plan is to meet up at Coulsdon South from 8.15 to get going by 8.30. This will give us enough time to get to the Charlwood cafe by 11.00 (or maybe earlier) and meet the road goups there. The return is either on the road with the slow road group or there will also be an off-road option back.

Pace is easy so the group stays together. Trails are not technical about 70% bridleway, 30% tarmac. Any off-road or hybrid bike will do but bigger tyres (ie MTB) are more comfortable.

Please post if you're interested so I have an idea of the numbers.

The rough plan is to have these runs once a month for the rest of the summer.


Aodan.

[ceejay]

Hi Aodan,

Sounds great. I'll take the prompt start to heart and get the train that arrives at quarter past.

Colin

[Alboy]

I'm up for this as not working or got daughter this week.

AL

[kieran]

too early, I'd have to leave by 7:40am!!!!!

[Snoop Doug]

Hmm - roughly what tim edoes this get back to CSS...? Roughly like...

[higg]

Thanks to Colin and Al for the turning up early this morning. We had an easy roll up Farthing Downs before dropping into Happy Valley heading towards the North Downs Way. When we hit War Coppice House we dropped down off the North Downs slope through the woods and over the M25. The trails then wind on to the Outwood along a selection of farm trails. After Outwood we took a horse path parallel to the M25 for a mile or so. This turned out to be incredibly bumpy even with full suspension, well done to Colin for managing it on his rigid forks. From here it was a spin through the woods at the back of Horley and past an amazing white peacock posing on a gate. All this and still managed to get to the cafe by 11.

After a quick sandwich we decided to make our own way back semi-off-road, the intention being it would be easier to travel at own own pace than struggling to keep up with a skinny tyre group.

The direct road back took us over Norwood Hill and then a short-cut bridleway through StumbleHole Farm. This brought us to the bottom of Reigate/Colley Hill. The strategy now was to get up as easily as possible. This meant picking the steepest path and walking up. It made a welcome break and the sun came out to give us great views back towards Gatwick and beyond to the South Downs. Once we were at the top it was reasonably level to Reigate Hill and then a gentle downhill on the tarmac along the Chipstead ridge and back to Coulsdon around 1.30. Well done to Al for sticking with us on his first off-road ride of the year.

[img]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3755/163/48/565591867/n565591867_1811778_3994128.jpg[/img]

[Alboy]

Thanks for a great day. Really enjoyed it.
My god I do need to lose some weight and fast.

Been in bed since I got home.

See you soon.

AL

[Marek]

Al, I think you should change your nick name, you look like:

[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/2q3yqm9.jpg[/img]

Maybe in a couple of weeks I will try to join you for one of these as sounds like a great route.

Cheers

Marek

[Alboy]

Marek
That was well funny!

I do look like him don't I.
I need to ride out to the Time trial on tuesday and compete.

Can you believe I did a 12 Hour time trial when I was 25 on my MTB. How things have changed.

Shall I change my name to Buzzlight on this forum?

Thanks for making me totally LOL mate.

AL