Re:
Sunny and fresh today, but without the strong wind so ideal for some more biking!
So off we went, on an older Scott this time :roll:
Along a flat track to start,
And up a small climb,
To be greeted by this at the top,
My playground awaits! I could have taken a road straight to here, but where's the fun in that?!
Down a concrete road past a private school, and onto the next bit o' bridleway
Going was pretty muddy, but not as sticky as my midweek ride if that makes sense :?
Then across a main road and onto the South Downs Way.
Why is this bloody gate never open when I'm going up! :evil:
Had a choice of three tracks here. The South Downs Way, around a five minute climb, just a grovel, with deep gulley benefits, a laft turn that would take me into almost certain bogginess, or one in between, that I'd never tried to ride up before, only been down it 3 times I think, twice of those at night! :shock:
That's the one for me
Started off in the granny gear, 24 ring with a 28 out the back. Started off ok, then I wanted to stop to take in the lovely view, and share with you. North Downs on the horizon.
Before the serious business of trying to ride up the steep gulley behind the bike
Did I make it? Absloutely
not :facepalm:
The narrow track had bee narrowed further by logs that had been put along it, halving the width, but I took another photo when I got to the top, just to show the area better,
Above the bike is the South Downs with the SD Way along the ridge top. Over to the right and in the very far distance is the North Downs, around 30-35 miles away and very different terrain. Lots of forest and sandy trails.
A bit further along, once I got to the top, I saw where I had ridden from on the horizon,
Then along, heading east, and onto the Sussex Highway Intense Trail, or SH-T for short! My favourite bit of singletrack in the area. It starts out very stony that could shake my fillings out on a rigid, if I had any teeth left with them
, which then opens up to a really rooty section, where you have to be on your guard all the time, especially after the rain we've had.
It get's worse that this, but I wanted to just ride that bit!
At the end, there's a bench for you to take in the view at the top, nice!
Quick drink and pic, then heading back south again,
Along some easy bridleways, and home for a cuppa
Now cleaned, oiled, and ready for the next adventure!
Mike