Dry as a bone for the Big Dog warm up

Maybe some riders had been frightened off coming down to Pyecombe by the recent weather forecasts threatening thunderstorms and lightning. Well, that was not the case as it turned out. Although most were carrying wet weather gear, the one thing we really needed was factor 20 sun cream.The heat reflected from the South Downs was intense.

Our first climb took us to the Sussex border path followed by a long grass descent aptly named Scare hill.

Within an hour we had reached Stanmer Park and undertook a practise session for the forthcoming Big Dog race. We were relieved to find how cool the wooded park was. An hour of riding great single track was not enough to discover all the trails and plans were soon hatched to return another day.

Tea and cake was had at the cafe in Stanmer.

More steep climbs followed tea and this part of the ride is very open and the hot and humid conditions had everyone sweating though the large fields of wheat and barley.

One fast and rocky descent gave Jason our only puncture, ripping a hole in the sidewall of the tyre. Teamwork had him back on track in 10 minutes.

Finally a fast ride back to Ditchling Beacon and onward to the Jack and Jill windmills for the final downhill to Pyecombe, The Plough was a welcome sight and served 10 sticky riders with beer and good food.

Dave R

Event / Article Type
MTB experienced ride - 270713
20130729 - 1a