Yet again the weather defied the forecast and 20th April saw us set off from Whiteways at 10-30 for a ride mixing South Downs with a healthy excess of singletrack in Houghton forest and Eartham woods.
A good time was had by all despite a couple of punctures, a tumble and slogging up yet another hill. We anticipated that the ride would take us 4 hours, it did, in fact, take 5. At the end we all tucked into coffee, cake, bread pudding and baked potatoes at the cafe in Whiteways carpark.
The pace was brisk from the off and by the time we reached the top of Rewell wood we were all panting. The pain of the climb was soon forgotten as we enjoyed a long fast descent, various log crossings, root nests and off piste sections before tackling the climb to Slindon quarry. We briefly regrouped before heading through the undergrowth and into Slindon village. The steep descent from Slindon onto the road leading up to the folly was the cause of much laughter and merriment and we all trundled on with beaming grins. A rest at the folly before diving into the singletrack immediately behind it; however rather than follow it downhill we took an off-piste route through the bluebell covered woodland and onto the main fireroad. Cresting the brow of the hill we had earned some fun. Off we went as fast as possible past dogs and walkers on the long seemingly never ending stepped descent from the hilltop. This was an absolute blast with all roots and steps providing launch pads and we all reached the bottom grinning and laughing from the buzz.
A quick zip along the road into Eartham wood and a snack stop before the climb to the top of Bignor Hill. At this point the efforts of the ride were beginning to tell so we decided on a direct route through Houghton Forest taking in as much of the established and newly built singletrack that we could. The boys had fun playing in the double bomb-hole and chute with each attempt prompting new shouts of ‘I want another go‘. The final sections of singletrack were dispatched; however at this point we were riding them rather than blasting them and after the final nasty drop off we headed directly back to the carpark. 2 tumbles, 3 punctures, 1 bent chainring, 1 loose headset and 1 rear wheel out of the drop-outs(!) in total 28 miles in 5 hours. A cracking ride.
Check pics on the photo page.
