Ice Age The Meltdown

 

This was my first ride with the club since Mid-December so it was good to

see 18 riders at Warlingham Green for what was going to be one of the

soggiest rides that I can remember even after all that rain we've had, but

the sun was shining and the temperature was good.

 

We headed off across Verdayne Park towards Mosseshill Shaw but the trail

between the two needed to be taken at speed or wet feet was on the menu. The big thaw was definitely happening leaving tricky swamped crossings that if not attacked without a stop left a few up to their ankles in ice cold sludge! Wet feet this early in the ride was not a good idea.

 

The descent down Mosses was tricky but the climb up the other side was even trickier, trying to avoid the ice patches and keep traction.

The usually fast descent down to Bears Wood was slow and in places became a stream so for those who had managed to keep dry up to this point had nowhere to hide!

It became obvious that a few parts of my ride would need to be left out or

we may not get back before dark.... and we didn't have lights!

 

We continued up towards Frith Wood on a hard climb, shaded from the sun this was packed with deep snow and ice made even harder with a puncture half way up.  Would have made it if it wasn't for the puncture!.  At the top my pit crew and I made light work of the tube change thanks Simon W and Robert.

 

The descent down to Featherbed Lane saw Simon W now having trouble with his tubeless tyre leaking through the side wall, a top up of air and we were off on another snow bound climb to the top of Farleigh Golf Course.

 

A water logged stream ride down through the golf course I shot ahead to

take some photos half way down Frith Wood descent. One snap showing Moji has definitely improved her downhill skills extending the gap between her and Jason!

Sorry I missed Simon J and Phil C ,  you both were far too quick and I

couldn't unlock my phone fast enough, also missed Mat and Simon W who was still playing around with his leaking tube up the top.

 

One last climb up Crabs Wood and we were at our tea stop Amano, Sandra and Terry retired at this stage but who could blame them!.  Covered in mud, I popped in to make sure we were welcome, but unfortunately not, not because of the mud sodden apparel but all tables were taken, so over to Knights for the planned B tea stop.

 

After we had finished our tea stop i asked the staff if they would like Aled to clear up the mess we had left behing!, lucky enough the declined our offer...well lucky for Aled!!!!

With a few tired legs I decided to cut short the second leg and headed back over to Crabs Wood. The climb up was fairly clear so decided this would be fun going back down....and it was, this was probably the best run of the day but not that dry though if you were to close the rider in front.

As you know in cycling, if a trail gives you a smile then there's something

coming up that's going to hurt! That didn't take long with the long climb

back up towards Bears Wood made harder by the conditions, did I not mention the conditions!!!

 

The short icy drop to Selsdon Wood saw at least one rider on their backside, I think 1 out of 16 was not bad considering but don't worry Moji I won't tell anyone who it was!

We headed to the top of the reserve where walking was hard enough and then another icy drop which saw all 16 upright riders at the bottom. Up to

Kingswood for a bit of slush twisting single track and then on to the home

straight which saw the biggest smile of the day....at last ....the car park!

 

18 miles of snow, ice, sludge, mud, more mud, more sludge, sludge and mud mixed together, you name we got it,  felt more like 38 miles!  But good fun. 

I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as it did?! I promise when/if the

weather drys up more smiles on my next ride.

 

Thanks Mat for back marking (from the middle in places) hope the calf (knee, seems to be more or less back now, cheers - Mat) heals up.

 

Jason and I ended up in the White Lion for a couple (no one else took up the invite), think Jason wanted to drown his sorrows after Mo beating down Frith Wood!!!

Got plenty of funny looks in the pub, not sure if it was Jason in tears or

the fact we were both covered head to toe in mud!!

 

All the best

Colin

Event / Article Type
MTB Experienced- Warlingham
Moji and Jason