Alex's ride From Limpsfield

Togged up in all the winter woollies, it was somewhat cold as I set off from Reigate at 7.50am to get to Limpsfield. The sun had just risen and the mist was hovering over the frosty ground. The trails were quiet and the air had warmed up by the time I reached Limpsfield, 15 miles later, to find that everyone else had driven.

Alex’s rides are usually something special and this was no exception. There were just 12 of us as some were doing the TrailBreak ride at Gatwick and a couple had gone to Westcott ! (that was last week)

I don’t know where Alex digs his rides out from, but he found virtually every hill in the area. A deceivingly long climb at the start took us up through Titsey Park to Botley Hill. After a fast decent, he took us up another lengthy hill, then another followed by many more.

Eventually we arrived at Chartwell for our tea stop, where Alex ordered a massive plate of liver and bacon for lunch, or possibly his breakfast. The rest of us made do with cups of tea, although the soup was particularly good. Frank and Garry had turned back by this stage due to other commitments. Chris punctured just before the tea stop, then got some air in his brakes causing them not to work. Living locally, he persuaded his wife to pick him up.

The ride back to Limpsfield was fairly straight forward, despite including a few more steep hills, and we finished by 1.30. Fortunately I managed to scrounge a lift home.

Thanks Alex

Richard Sterry