I asked some people out for a training ride from Walkers Bottom Car Park the other day, only to be informed that Julian was also leading a training ride from the same place, but at 8.

We met on the Beyond MTB evening ride & made our plans. Julian would still ride at 8 & I would do my ride from 9.30. So at 9.30, 3 of us were prepared to set off when Julian showed up with 3 others, after knocking up 12 miles.

We went to the top of Pitch & down the side of the quarry, which included some steep-ish drops. Over the road to the wind mill & “Two Headed Dog”, none of us did the Dog, but most of us did the one beside it, which for me is quite enough!

Over another road & we were heading into Hurtwood's “Triple Pot” & “Zig-Zag”, which has a few more Zig's & Zag's in it now. We had our only crash at the end of the trail as John did an AMAZING forward role after going over the handle bars. Luckily his bike was pretty-much fine, fuuu.

Up to the top of Hurtwood again a off down the “Serpent” which was well dry. Down, down to Shere, then up, up the green road to top out on the North Downs Way with a scoot along to Newlands Corner for a cup'a.

After tea, cakes & an omelet(!) we headed South, down another green road, a fast one at that, but for the 4x4 whom nipped in seconds before us ]-8 So I was shouting “could you let us passed please” & they did [-8, knowing we would be all bunched up, I lit the blue touch paper, nearly crashing at the first sharp bend!

The Albury Forest trails held a sting in amongst the ferns as John snapped his chain & Monica was consumed by said ferns??? Time was running sort for some, so short was the route home, with loads of climbing to some superb single tracks & the car park. 21 miles + 12 for some.

Thanks for co-leading with me Julian.

Mike Crossett