The day promised to stay bright and warm for us as we headed south from
Westcott church. Seventeen souls, including new rider Stephen, met for
a
fairly long trek up and down Leith Hill, along the Greensand Way to
Holmbury
Hill and then north to Peaslake.
We followed the track to Logmore Green off Logmore Lane, turning left
to
Squires Farm and from then up the hill past Mag¹s Well to Wolvens Lane.
Whilst coming up the steep rise, I started the tally of falls by coming
off
and landing amongst a thick patch of nettles. Ouch! (Apologies to all
who
got stuck on the hill behind me.) Heading along the sandy track and I
was on
the deck again, having hit the edge of a rut. Up to the Summer
Lightning
trail and I realised that I had got the front suspension locked off on
my
new bike (desperately trying to cover my blushes here!).
We enjoyed a brisk pace through the trees and then took the descent
down to
the lane at the bottom of the valley. Turning left and promptly right,
we
climbed up to The Duke¹s Warren where there is a fine view over the
valley
to the tower. However we didn¹t linger to admire the landscape,
dropping
swiftly down again to Whiteberry Road and on north to Broadmoor. Here
we
turned back up the hill again along the bridleway that runs parallel to
Leyland¹s Road and stopped at the top to wave off Frank and Peter who
have
lives to lead.
We skirted westwards round the summit of Leith Hill until we found
Leith
Hill Road and joined the Greensand Way. It was another brisk ride down
and
up, and down and up, and then down to the road at Holmbury St Mary. We
climbed the track passing the cricket pitch, over Somerset Hill and on
to
the summit of Holmbury Hill which is where we stopped for the photo
shown.
It was a fast descent down to Peaslake for a much needed cuppa and
cake.
Refreshed, we left for our return leg to Westcott at around 12.00. We
took
the road north, turning off to the right onto Hoe Lane. Whilst this is
a
metalled road, it still presents something of a challenge as there are
a
couple of steep climbs to negotiate. At Horsham Road, we turned right
and
then next left to the bridleway behind the Volunteer pub and the sudden
climb up to the Raikes Farm fields. There is a lovely view from here to
the
north and the Downs, but again there was no time to pause and ponder.
Coming
down the hill, I came across Garry and another rider in a heap on the
deck,
but fortunately no injuries admitted to.
Past Paddington Farm and crossing the A25, we climbed again to Abinger
Roughs and the sandy trail home. Phil suffered a puncture along the
Roughs
but got it swiftly sorted out with Barry¹s help, our trusty back marker
(many thanks). We got back to the church after nearly 20 miles of dry,
fast