Another Indian Summer morning and a respectable number of riders promised a good ride out in the Leith Hill area.We had dutifully followed instructions and parked away from the Westcott Church but met there as habit dictated. 9.30 sharp and the thirteen of us (including a welcome but rare attendance from Richard Sterry) saw us take Logmore Lane up the hill. We climbed the steep and sandy track to Wolverns Lane and down the rocky descent on the other side to Simon’s Cottage. From Broadmoor we picked up the Redlands trail which took us to Holmbury St Mary.

The Telegraphs single track saw our first incident when David H came off and twisted his thumb. Ouch! We rolled slowly down to the YHA carpark to recoup. Geoff Pike very kindly accompanied DH to the Wootton Hatch where friends applied ice packs and arnica. Many thanks, Geoff. The rest of us headed for tea at Peaslake which was unusually quiet. Had everyone gone to the Purbecks or Keilder? We climbed in a very circuitous fashion up to Holmbury Hill (I had taken the wrong right turn but I don’t think any one spotted it!); and the view; and the ubiquitous photo opportunity. After enjoying the Yoghurt Pots, we dropped down the southern flank of the hill to the road and then the trail down towards Upfolds Farm.

The surface had been washed away at the top, exposing the brick and rubble base. Not good for knobblies even, and Darren was the unlucky victim with a pinch that caught him and Phil at the top to fix it. Knowing that we had a long hard slog up to the Tower ahead, Mike, Colin and Terry elected to start off whilst the rest waited at the road.

They might have got the teas in when we finally caught up with them! We got only to the bottom of the gnarly descent when there was another cry of ‘Puncture’! Jack had also suffered a pinch. He managed to fix it quickly despite the heckling, whilst Darren disengaged his valve when adding a little more air. There was no sympathy as it was self inflicted!

Time was getting short, so there was no messing as we sped down Wolvern’s Lane to the gravel descent and Logmore Lane. Some of us had parked at the entrance to the Bury Hill fisheries, a small car park visible from the A25. After a reccie only 50 yards up the lane and to the left, Julian found a huge and empty car park – Milton Heath and the Nower Car Park. This ought to be one for the future. Many thanks to back markers Robert and Phil. Grand job!

Fran