Reigate Hill to Bocketts Farm

Despite the poor weather forecast, a sizable group of 24 gathered at Reigate Hill. It was good to see a couple of new faces, and one or two who had not ridden with us for a while.

Setting off in the rain, the forecast was right, we headed across the ridge and over Banstead Heath to Walton on the Hill. Descending down the rocky bridleway to the base of Epsom downs, we were making good progress and the rain had stopped. We then found the top of Stane Street, where three quarters of the way down, I had planned a short cut to the tea stop. However, everyone wanted to do the extra loop so we continued to the end of Stane Street where a large group of walkers were politely waiting to head up the street. Over Burford Bridge and the long climb up Crabtree Lane, we then took a fast gradual descent sweeping round to Bocketts Farm.

After a cup of tea and their delightful Mars Bar Cake, the wet weather wear was back on as the heavens opened again, fortunately for not too long. Skirting round the bottom of Leatherhead, we made our way to Headley. Taking a slightly different bridleway across Walton Heath from the norm, we found ourselves back at Reigate Hill. A couple of punctures were quickly repaired so the group was not held up for too long.

The trails were damp but not too muddy, making them a good surface for riding. The big question at the end of the ride was whether Christian is going to buy the bike he was testing out. No doubt we will find out next week.


Richard Sterry