This ride was inspired by a night ride led by Julian Wade last year. It took in territory so completely new that it just begged to be done again in the daylight – so that we could see what we had missed!
From Milton Heath a very select seven climbed the North Downs on the Park Farm bridleway to the Ranmore Road. Down the lumpy-bumpy track and up again to the fringes of Polesden Lacey we took the track straight on, skimming swiftly through to Great Bookham. Through the village and onto Bookham Common, the trail took us under the M25 to emerge in Downside. Heading north west, on country lanes we evenutally found ourselves on Ockham Common and at the foot of Chatley Semaphore Tower. The area looks to be worthy of further exploration – an expanse of sandy Surrey heathland.
After admiring the Tower and reading up on a bit of the history, we turned south to hit more lanes, a hidden and very little used bridleway, more lanes and a lovely stretch of track through meadows of waving grasses, silvered in the sunlight.
Our tea stop was at the East Horsely Squires where Geoff bumped into his brother also out on his bike (though on the other side!).
A climb up Sheepleas and a short downhill snatch of single track took us to Green Dene. From here we had a second taste of history as the bridleway that climbed to the North Downs went under three of the quaint and anachronistic Lovelace Bridges..
We struck east paralleling the Ranmore Road after more unfamiliar trails and then plunged down the scarp to the railway line.
We arrived back a little after 1.00pm at the car park (avoiding the nettles) after 25 miles of dry trails in dappled sunshine with good company. Perfick!
Fran
Event / Article Type
MTB Intermediate-Bury Hill Fisheries
Chatterly Heath tower