The Hills Have Rides

Once again an unlucky 13 turned up at Warlingham Green for a ride out to Keston via Addington Hills with some new trails thrown in.

 

We headed through Kings wood for our first bit of twisty single track and emerged at Kingswood Way with our only casualty of the day, Simon J with rear free wheel hub making an awful noise and once again just like our last ride from Warlingham we were down to a lucky 12 within 2 miles with Simon retiring and making his way to the nearest train station.

 

The lucky 12 headed on though Selsdon Nature reserve for some more fun bits with Gareth trying to jump some roots and in doing so taking down half a tree caught in his back pack!

Making the tricky A2022 crossing into Littleheath Woods  a bit of bike swapping  went on with Dave trying out Matts 29er for a loop round Littleheath Woods.  A few got caught out with the tricky section at the bottom full of badger holes, lucky enough all emerged safely.

With the nice climb if there is such a thing up Bramley Bank we emerged at the top of Addington Hills with what I think is a first in Redhill CC MTB history ?, we crossed the Tram Link!

We were only a few miles from central Croydon yet surrounded by fantastic single track with loads more still not explored (Matt’s volunteered to do that job).

 

At view point you could just make out the Wembley Arch behind the mist and after a few minutes taking in the views we were off down the other side in search of more fun twisty trails.

Pinewood was our next, with some tricky roots at the start and twists and swoops throughout. This linked in well with Kennel Wood and like the name we were greeted by about 15 beagles, all that was missing were horseman in red jackets blowing on their trumpets! The dogs made passing tricky and stopping at Threehalfpenny Woods (I know who names these woods) we were missing 3 riders, Matt, Moji and one other being held up by the hounds. Mike kindly riding back to collect the stranded.

 

The climb up to Keston from Coney hall was the toughest so far but the tea stop at Fiona’s Pantry was followed shortly after.

Claire once again reserving the area at the back, giving us first class hospitality and Matt knocking a hot cup of tea out of the hands of our waiter giving Dave a hot early bath!.

 

The 2nd half of our ride was familiar to some who rode with me last time to Keston but this time it was in reverse, Mike and Gareth disappeared in the distance in search of KOM’s as we headed up the 1.5 mile climb to Jewel’s Wood.

The trails were dry up to this point but as soon as we hit route 21 and headed towards Holt wood the trails became muddy and slippery. The run down mill common had its familiar bog at the bottom but all got through without a voyage over the handlebars!

One more muddy trail down Greenhill Lane and we were on our last climb up to Warlingham Green with the pub in site!

A good ride and a good pace, average speed of 9.7mph which is not bad for a club ride.

 

Hope you all enjoyed the new trails? Thanks to Moji who back marked without being asked!!

 

Colin

Event / Article Type
MTB Experienced - Warlingham
Fiona's Pantry