We set off towards Headley and our first taste of singletrack action down Secret Singletrack and then on towards Life on Mars. The bluebells are out in force so I may have been a little distracted through here! We then headed on to Mat’s newest discovery of twisting and swooping singletrack with the fabulously named Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
Unfortunately what goes down must go up, especially if they want to make it to the tea stop and we slogged up Norbury Park, twisted through the woods and down Infestation to a remarkably punctual tea stop at Bocketts. What I didn’t tell everyone is that they were still only half way round.
After tea we headed up towards Ranmore taking a cheeky shortcut through the woods where I had absolutely no doubts about which fork to take (ahem), a lucky guess had us on the right track! The promise of DDD (Dave’s Denbies Descent) was the light at the end of a very long slog up Ranmore and I don’t think it disappointed. The bluebells certainly didn’t (sorry, but I’m a girl and I like flowers!) and I got some cracking shots on the camera to (hopefully) show off the bluebells and the riders.
Box Hill was the next destination and from here we looped back through Headley and across the golf course home. Although not before James had blown out one tyre and patched it up just to get a puncture in the other! There was a strong call to stop being so tight and get some new tyres!
All in all a successful first ride to lead, I didn’t lose anyone and I don’t think I broke anyone either so I count that as a win!
Jason, when is your ride again?
Gilly
Photos here- https://www.flickr.com/photos/80976333@N08/sets/72157644019454443/