13 riders turned up for my ride from Horsham to Tilgate. Trouble?
We set off from the new start point in St Leonards Forest, heading through Mannings Heath golf course and across the Newstead Farm ridge, getting in some cross country to warm the legs up on the way to Tilgate forest.
On arrival, we kicked off with the Coyote Ugly trail downhill through the forest. Only one fall from the riders with Jason having his wheel slip out trying to straightline a wet patch he should have gone round, or possibly the other way round....
We then began the xc trail around the outskirts of the forest, where on a bridge constructed of crates, Jon's pedals decided he was looking a bit hot, wouldn't unclip, and tumbled him into the stream for a cool off.
From there it was a few more jumps, whoops and swoopy bits to get to the tea stop in Tilgate Park.
Setting off Mark showed us how much training he's been getting for the Big Dog with his 'riding around with the rear brake locked on' technique. A win coming up with that dedication, surely! The route back took us through Peas Pottage and back into St Leonards forest. We finished off with the long single track trail that runs through the forest and out to the edge. Mark's prized Canyon went from rolling wounded to a true casualty, with the rear mech sacrificed to an unseen log covered by the bracken. Thankfully it was a short downhill coast to the car park!
Many thanks to all that came.
Lee