How we ride and the Groups

Where we ride

MTB is partly about the adventure and getting out there finding new rides, new trails of the local area and visiting different parts of the countryside.  There are always rides waiting to become our new favourite!  Ride leaders have good knowledge of the best South East MTB trails, though we are constantly on the look out for new trails!

Generally Saturday rides will take place locally on the North Downs – taking in Reigate Hill (centrally as our “home” ride).  Box Hill, Ranmore, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill/Winterfold and Peaslake to the East, Oxted to the West.

We’ll take occasional trips out to Hindhead (the Devils Punch Bowl), the South Downs (Stanmer, QE11 Country Park, Friston), Tilgate (Crawley), Swinley. and other areas in South East England.

As a club we also take yearly trips to Wales (Bike Park Wales, Afan, Cywmcarn, North Wales, etc), The Peak District, Gower and Purbeck Peninsula’s and even further afield (Morzine in France).

Courtesy

Redhill CC MTB aims to promote a friendly image of Mountain Bikers.  Some trails can be controversial in the Surrey Hills (with hundreds of unofficial trails), so remember to be polite and say hello to other countryside users, close gates and park responsibly.

Everyone is out to enjoy the countryside - lets make sure that we are advocates for safe friendly riding.

As most trails are not official there is the possibility of meeting people on single track trails or going the wrong way.  Politely point out that there are mountain bikers around and they may be approaching at speed to these other countryside users.

Remember the hierarchy of users and consider slowing, and where needed, stopping for horses, walkers and dogs etc.

If trail volunteers ask you to avoid a trail or a feature (eg under repair, new trail bedding in), please do so.  If a land manager/owner asks you directly to avoid a trail, please do so.

Avoid fast exits onto rights of way, your Strava time can wait another day (unless you have a spotter at the exit).

See each other across roads where necessary.

The riding groups

For both rides the aim is to ride as a companionable group of bikers.  These are social rides so we do not necessarily aim for the fastest, most technical ride with huge rad features, but being outside with like minded people in a group that wants to have fun.

Cross Country (XC)

This ride focuses on a cross country style with more riding, less features and will not take in any unavoidable sections or large features (gaps, drops, etc).  These rides may take on a challenge during the ride, for example a well known classic blue single track trails.

The average pace tends to be less than 8mph, though this can depend on hills and climbs.

Trail and Features (TF)

This ride focuses on a either fast/long cross country style ride (average pace tends to be around 8mph) or a shorter/slower ride but with more single track ride and either natural or man made features (jumps, drops, steeps, etc).   These ride will take in multiple blue and red rated trails on rides, with options to attempt black rated trails if you are capable.

Steep technical descents, log rolls, drops ins, steps, jumps, tables, gap jumps, North Shore woodwork, etc may all appear on a ride.

All features will be avoidable and the ride leader will point out options if not directly avoidable on the trail – ride arounds or bypass.

I don't know which group

If you are concerned about your fitness or skill level, or have no knowledge of what features a green trail (think a path through the woods) or blue, red or black trail actually contain, then please reach out to the MTB Secretary and consider one of the beginner rides, which will introduce you to mountain bike trails.