With many regulars in Wales, the access to Kenley Station restricted via the A22 due to flooding and every one else at the Oscars I was not expecting a big turnout.
Suffering from man flu and dosed up with cough medicine I cycled into the car park and to my surprise I was the only one there! Half of me was a bit relived but I still needed some company just in case I collapsed half way round my 20 mile loop.
Within a few minutes Andy a possible new member who had emailed me in the week to say he was coming cycled up sporting a bright yellow Gore jacket and riding a 1x11 carbon Camber 29er!!! Umm there goes my easy ride!! Andy being a local lad using the home start and familiar trails to see what our club was all about.
As we chatted Simon J and Cheryl pulled up, Cheryl choosing to drive from Purley thinking it would be easier to drive through the restrictions rather than cycle the 2 miles! And Simon was riding Marks pride and joy Canyon 29er after another free wheel body malfunction on his Anthem. (That must have taken some persuading Simon; you better not get it muddy!!!)
Just as we were about to set off big Rob rides in cutting it fine, also finding the A22 diversions a bit confusing.
We set off up Welcomes Road with a nice climb to warm things up before heading across Betts Mead which gave us our first taste of things to come, water logged mud infested trails!
With temperatures now high a quick removal of a layer was required before we set off through In Wood, a nice section with a few rooty drops and twisty turns interrupted by a Jack Russell who took a shine to my left Shimano AM45 only to let go because of more mouth-watering footwear following close behind me!
The climb out of In Wood was tricky even for MudX tyres but Simon was finding it tough on the Canyons Rocket Ron’s,, I’m sure I saw him tossing the bike into the bushes in frustration!!?
The rocky descent down to the bottom of Devilsden Wood was fun but the tree down on the way out of Happy Valley meant climbing with your bikes on your back, Simon was ok he just launched his Canyon over the top and walked round! :-)
At the top of view point we spotted a few mountain bikers taking photos of their bikes, taking advantage of the sunshine and view over the valley, we expect to see them in next month’s MBR bike love pics.
View point to Britannia Sanderstead was fun as always and I took the opportunity of a photo shot while waiting at the bridge.
At Woldingham station I asked the crew if they wanted to, tea before the big climb or climb and then tea… all went for the climb then tea! The climb up the golf course was tough but Cheryl made light work of it… I put this one down to the man flu!
The Woldingham Knights tea stop was a welcome site so we all lent our bikes up against Simons Canyon and went in for a nice cup of tea, sitting in the garden in the sunshine.
After tea and some interesting conversation I took advantage of the small group to get with the kids and take a selfie…. for readers not in with the kids, A selfie is a type of self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone!!!! I didn’t like it much; it gave me two chins!
We set of towards Kings Woods which was a hard slog, I spent most of my childhood in these woods (it was not that long ago)and have never seen it so water logged, cycling through it was hard work, and I don’t think a single word was said by any of us until we reached the other side.
We crossed the Limpsfield road and headed towards Riddlesdown common, we stopped to lift our bikes over the cattle gates, Simon threw his over but I managed to get a photo once it stopped rolling!
A nice descent down to the Godstone Road and a pleasant ride back to Kenley along the deserted A22 stopping to view the new Kenley reservoir at Bourne Park.
A great 20 mile ride in good company.
Hope to see Andy on a few more rides; Andy was surprised on the amount of trails on his door step.
Rob is fairly new to the club but I can see him being a good member and his fitness and technical ability has improved heaps over the last few months, keep it up.
Cheryl makes light work of any 20 mile ride no matter the conditions.
Simon ……. Don’t lend this bloke your bike!! Have seen what he does to them?
Colin