What a fantastic day, the sun was shining and the shorts were out, which was stark contrast to the ice and snow and the winter woollies two weeks previously. Leaving Reigate Hill, the 12 of us headed off to Walton on the Hill. Setting out along the ridge we crossed over the M25 to the cross roads by the Mint Arms. As we entered the bridleway towards Banstead Heath a group of horse riders requested that we returned to the road so they could pass (something to do with horses and electric fences). The horses were bigger than us so we obliged.

What do you do with your bike when you get back from a MTB ride? Do you throw it into the shed until the next ride, do you put it away until the next warm day or do you give it a good hose down and some TLC with the oil can? Yes mud is the down side of winter rides off road and the North Downs has its own brand of sticky mud which seems to get everywhere.

The lucky number of 13 riders set off from Noke Drive going East on the nat 21 route,the first climb of the day being on road up the hill from the motorway instead of turning right on the 21.