MTB Ride Report – 2 June 2021
By Ian Wilkinson
The ACC Wednesday night off-road ride this week saw us take a loop around Bletchingley. 9 riders, mostly on Gravel/CX bikes for what turned out to be warm, dry conditions.
Once again we started from Farthing Downs, through Happy Valley to the North Downs Way. However, this time we turned left along War Coppice Way, then a right to go down hill for a fast circuit of Godstone Gravel Pit. From there we went up Waterhouse Lane to Stinky Farm (don’t know its proper name 🙂).
We then took a fast single track into Bletchingley, down Stychens Lane, following AV21 to Springbottom Lane where we met our nemesis, a recently rebuilt bridle path up White Hill with about 2 inches of gravel! We then headed to the Harrow Pub at Caterham. Not long after arriving it poured with rain, but luckily we were under cover, tucking into great food.
We left the pub a little later than usual in the dark, so lights and warm layers were required. Ashley Nunn and I took the North Downs way to Hilltop Lane where we chased deer along the track. Riding back over Farthing Downs is an exhilarating experience, where you can see for miles. A copy of the route is available on the Addiscombe Website under MTB Rides.
Next week’s ride will depart at 6.30pm, again from the bottom cattle grid of Farthing Downs. I am still working on the route but topping the last two weeks will be a challenge! Please sign up on Makesweat. Make sure to bring lights and warm layers!
