[Closed] Surrey Hills

According to Gee from here's Strava, it's a bit puddly on Winterfold but otherwise ok.

I've never known many trails on Winterfold so only ever do 2 or 3 on my way across to Pitch and Holmbury. I've no idea which trails are which in Surrey Hills, at least not by name, so can't be much more help!

Rode Redlands on Saturday, it's normally the wettest place. It was dry as a bone and riding well, so you should be good to go anywhere you like.

Evian, Area 51 and Bear Necessities are no more, blocked off by felled branches.

Was last down there 10 days ago, Holmbury and Pitch were dry and running well. My usual 'litmus tests' are Fork Right and Telegraph Row - if they're dry then everything else will be too and both were dry when I was last there.

I haven't done Winterfold in a couple of months so can't comment on Northern Monkey etc but I'd guess they'll all be fine for the most part.

Evian and Area51 are up and running again although not quite as before.

May be some standing water in places but overall pretty dry.

alextemper - Member

Evian and Area51 are up and running again although not quite as before.

I stand corrected. 🙂

Thanks chaps!

It started raining as we were leaving monday so there may be some standing water and boggy spots in the usual last to dry locations. The wind has been fairly gusty over the last couple of days so you might find there is debris on the slightly less used trails

Holmbury driest usually, Pitch and shallow (Northern) side of Winterfold quite good. The stream bed/bridleway onto which secret santa exits makes a fun descent if necessary - a few steps and the odd rock (rare in surrey) to keep it interesting

It runs fast a couple of days after rain, a few puddles but not so dusty and less sand traps.

Very enjoyable trip as it happens. Got over to Winterfold and thought the revamped Evian was great, as was Secret Santa or Carpetland, or whatever it is. Got a nasty surprise on Switchbacks though as the ending has gotten very steep!!

Pitch was great although I have to say that I am convinced the erosion on the steeper trails is worse than it was. Considerably. (Eric, for example)

Rain held off, cheese straws were ace.

It had rained heavily at some point yesterday as there was a load of froth on one of the fire roads from the YHC. The trails we hit were still pretty good though, bit sketchy on some of the roots but nothing too evil.

I was up there last night (thurs) and it was a tad damp in places. Spec’s and or a front guard would of been helpful at times.

Rode Northern Monkey for the first time in ages - never seen that final gap jump before - the one after the obvious series of 3-4 and the big bermed turn. Would love to see someone ride that, it must be a massive jump! That and the "hidden" jump on the LHS of summer madness

Trails are in great condition at the moment. The new evain seems to be bedding down and not that bad despite losing the old bomb hole. Whatever happened to the run lower down W'fold - carpet/secret santa? - that went though a larch wood and finished into the steppy BW. I could only find the (better) runs that both combine with the gap and jump before finsihing much lower down the BW.

Orange Claw Hammer ? the trees where cut down including the "claw hammer" V - a few years ago we made an effort to recreate it but too much debris. You can walk up from the bottom and ride bottom bit, ditto from start of Santa (note info from a year ago when I was last there)

I understand certain riders may have put in a request to the pixies to divert round the Evian bomb hole 😉

Glad you enjoyed it, miss it very much

I understand certain riders may have put in a request to the pixies to divert round the Evian bomb hole

😉 I enjoyed it in the end and miss it now!!! The new Evian is quite fast and flows well. Ditto NM. My new bogey run is one corner on Eric. Too much riding on my own, I need you to push me!!

The run I was trying to remember/find used to end in a short drop into the BW (above the steps) and short lip on to the private road. Easy run through your trees and lots if needles on the deck.

Conditions are great. Had two great rides up there this week and might go up tomorrow too.

I miss the 'v' tree 🙁

[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/3/2433/5772301449_650c61acfc_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/3/2433/5772301449_650c61acfc_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Not sure my new 780 bars would get through it though 😀 . 750s worked but seemed very close.

Also miss Carpet Land / Endor. Fast swooping through the tress and pine needles.

Evian bomb hole just needs tree in it removal.

Yep, I was looking for the V tree too! Ditto on modern bars 😉

I like the shortish route opposite Evian and the one on the other side of the v steep fire road on the RHS of the bottom of Evian.

Evian bomb hole looked like someone has driven a logging truck through it to me - not much of a bomb hole left.

Carpetland is s sad loss. Nothing tech but always fun. Ive got s photo of the claw stump somewhere - nothing much cut around it. Couldn't help felling was just done out of spite.

@dk great photo. Maj used to love that trail, always asked to ride it. As above I always tried to include the trail as always fun and just different with the pine needles

@tmh you'd need world record amounts of patience to ride with me, as for "pushing you" 🙂 I doubt it. Able to get away for 3/4 days and cheap flight to Geneva ? Last week did two predominantly road rides around Deauville, not sure 35lbs of 2.3" shod fs is the bike of choice for that !

Sneaked out for an awesome afternoon in Peaslake. Just Pitch-Holmbury-Pitch. Conditions are about as good as I can image with the recent rain a bonus. I have never know the classic trails like Tel Rd and BKB ride so fast.

T trails, Proper Bo, Graveyard etc all great as was Yog pots. Tried the run to the LHS of BKB which was fun but wimped at the log jump at the top 😳 Nice alternative to BKB though.

Found crackpipe for the first time on Holmbury. I was put off in the past by the gradient on strava, but found that superb. Steep enough to have to concentrate but nothing scary. Loved the exposed LH bend about 3/4 of the way down. Great run and two lovely houses at the bottom to admire!!

We are so lucky to be able to ride there.

Feeling jealous, was there doing pretty much the same on Saturday and broke my dogbone link coming down the bottom section of telegraph. So wanted to ride it again this week but gotta wait until the part turns up on Thursday.

We certainly are lucky, I live in Guildford and the xc ride there is pretty awesome too.

Does anyone ride over St Marthas? There some pretty nice trails off all sides, although mind out for walkers at peak times.

When I lived in London we would often meet at St Marthas and ride over to peaslake from there, some nice trails off the hill for 20-30 second runs, with the short but steep climb back up. A bit too sandy in the summer though!

A lot of guys I know train it to Guildford then ride to Marthas then on from there. Also opens up the North Downs way, Leith Hill, and other areas which I won’t mention on the internet as I might get shouted at.

Does anyone ride over St Marthas? There some pretty nice trails off all sides, although mind out for walkers at peak times.

Rode passed there earlier this year and thought the trails on the north-east side from St Marthas had been found...signs up and the little jumps removed. Still, might be back by now

Yes you are lucky, having moved away after 20+ years I miss it. Superb riding from from front door in Guildford, local trails with jumps available on a quick spin, fabulous longer xc or 45 mins riding to Ranmore/Peaslake/Winterfold (or 20 mins in car)

I used to ride St Martha's quite a bit on 1hr blast, a bit sandy / soft but great as it was on my doorstep. Little bit of Singletrack next to farm access track/bridleway below Chantries. Do you Guildford bods now about Drum & Base / Jubilee line - if nor email in profile. I'll not forget being on a NDW xc ride and seeing guys on "big bikes", full face etc getting out of their van - interesting 🙂

Tend to ride ST M on the way to Blackheath and Winterfold or as an XC blast combining Combe Land, N downs and Pewley Downs. Some fun short trails on N side and the challenge of the direct route down to Chilworth from the church on the S side. Tough to clean to latter. A bit to sandy and short to be a final destination though ESP when peaslake is so close,

Descendi the Chantries there is a nice easy line through the trees on the N side which is difficult to find at first but is better than main track or the steps to CP IMO. I think that is what Jambas is referring to.

obvious jumps taken down by Albury estate, still a couple of hucks around.

Chantries is off limit to bikes

Chantries is off limit to bikes

Opps - is that new or am I a serial offender?

The lines are still there on St Marthas, just looks more natural (prefer it that way rather than huge jumps and drops dug out). Fun blast down.

tuskaloosa - Member 
Chantries is off limit to bikes

Only noticed that coming through from the east side and spotted no bike sign. Usually ride up from Guildford through there and never notice any signs about it. Still, ridden through plenty of times and not one person said a thing. Walkers smiled, and even stepped aside to let me through despite me offering them to go past first.

Only contentious bit I guess is the off camber descent stuff towards Guildford side. Rarely see walkers making it all the way up there. Gets steep in places.

DK - i think we are all referring to same off-camber bit. Given that it is hidden (esp the start) and no walkers go on that bit (IME) should be ok. The main track is dull on descent albeit a good pipe opener on the way up.

Has anyone cleaned the straight decent form church to chilworth = I christened it Marha's Back Passage for the XC running races that used it. Narrow and a couple of tricky bits.

Do you Guildford bods now about Drum & Base / Jubilee line - if nor email in profile. I'll not forget being on a NDW xc ride and seeing guys on "big bikes", full face etc getting out of their van - interesting

Is that the Drum & Base off of the north downs way? There's a lot of really sketchy descents around there especially after a bit of rain. Those chalk banks are lethal!

Rode passed there earlier this year and thought the trails on the north-east side from St Marthas had been found...signs up and the little jumps removed. Still, might be back by now

The jumps are back and not seen any signs up recently. Some are a bit over grown with bracken but 90% still ride able. Loads of sand traps, the whole place is like a giant beach on a slope at this time of year.

Has anyone done the super steep decent down the south face from the church? Scared the crap out of me the first time and won't do it on my own again. It's bad enough walking down it!

There's some pretty good descents off Barnett Hill which are good to add to a loop if you're doing St Marthas, Blackheath, Farley etc.

Has anyone cleaned the straight decent form church to chilworth = I christened it Marha's Back Passage for the XC running races that used it. Narrow and a couple of tricky bits.

That's the one I was talking about in my last post, we must have been typing it at the same time. It's all do able except the bottom is a bit narrow and over grown, normally just walk that bit. The root drop at the top is interesting 🙂

The entire Chantries hill area is rather contentious with no biking signs everywhere and I believe that the small cottage that is situated near the N.W entrance belongs to the ranger/warden. I tend to avoid the area when it's busy but there are some nice trails in there.

Acidetest - that's the one I am talking about. Ridden it several times but never cleanly. The first big drop and the one wi the metal pipe still get me, but haven't tried it on my newish FS, only on a v old HT.

More x posts!!

Drum'n'Bass - oldie now, but bit sensitive round there. Been signs up about putting it out of action. A few other spots off the NDW similar with signs up. One recently had the start trashed.

acidtest - Member 
Has anyone done the super steep decent down the south face from the church? Scared the crap out of me the first time and won't do it on my own again. It's bad enough walking down it!

The one with the pipe running down it that comes out by the alpaca farm? Sketchy and steep.

No keen on the south side though. Too much sand.

tend to ride Martha's and the environs with caution as there are numerous walkers/children/dogs off leashes and horses and I've seen one or two chaps ride down the West side with no regard to other users.

DK I've used the Chantries bridleway from East Pit road to commute in winter from the station home that's when I saw the sign. To be honest don't venture there as piha says it's rather contentious and it pulls us off course from our usual route.

We kept rebuilding the log stuff but gave up after some time.

South face is interesting 🙂

Acidetest - that's the one I am talking about. Ridden it several times but never cleanly. The first big drop and the one wi the metal pipe still get me, but haven't tried it on my newish FS, only on a v old HT.

You have to hit the first big drop from the right hand side (cuz of brambles) to clear the pipe, you need a bit of speed.

It's really saaad (Alan Partridge voice) but I have pics on my phone:

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

I have never ridden that without falling off (sometimes spectacularly) whether on my HT or FS. IMO the size of the step down/drop and the location of the pipe means its beyond my talent.

The Chanties is off limits to bikes and signs at all the entrances, we used to walk our dog there 3-4 times a week as we lived very close. I have seen a guided ride of 10+ bikes going right through the middle which is pretty obnoxious.

The little trail I am speaking of is right next to the bridleway/farm track and in a part of the wood / deforested bit where no one walks.

Great photos!!

That captures it well (if not the narrowness!)

If you come up to it slow you just can't process all the different scary bits in time! End up bottling it and into the brambles. Once you know what to expect and the right line it's just a matter of speed and then scrubbing the speed as you land in time for the next rut.

best done on a dry winter's day jambs

Haven't ridden St Martha's for a while. very sandy but some good trails over there. Don't forget to add llamas to the list of other trail users to be careful of when riding around those trails (surely you've seen the llama walkers around there?)

When I have tried to jump it I have ended up clipping (well crashing into) the side with bars and a massive comedy wipe out. Also OTB in a big way on another go. Given there are bits of brick in the gully too I formally retired from trying to ride that bit and just enjoy the rest.

lol llama walkers! Heard it all now!

When I have tried to jump it I have ended up clipping (well crashing into) the side with bars and a massive comedy wipe out. Also OTB in a big way on another go. Given there are bits of brick in the gully too I formally retired from trying to ride that bit and just enjoy the rest.

That's exactly why I won't ride it on my own. I've come off twice but luckily nothing bad except a few bramble scratches.

Annoying thing about Chantries is it's a perfect route through from/to Shalford Park along the Pilgrims Way. Makes no sense to make it all off limits to bikes especially with pretty wide bridleways through, and I do wonder if it's even legal. Who's signs are they? Council, landowner or NIMBY ramblers?

If you're peaslake based is it worth exploring over to st marthas or are they more of the 'nice to do a few on the way somewhere' trails?

That issue up there ^^^ Is the run in really slow or can just hop the lot with a bit of speed? That said the landing looks awkwardly narrow.

Re drum and base...there's been loads of people doing uplifts with vans there recently. I drive that way home and on sunny evenings there was almost always somewhere there.

Ive always thought of the chutey path as one to just tick off...its the narrowness (and encroaching vegation) towards the bottom that makes it annoying plus it is a FP and I'd hate to meet someone

Seen the llamas though 🙂

or are they more of the 'nice to do a few on the way somewhere' trails?

^this

^^ no. As XC loops (or night ride?) its worth something like Winterfold, Ponds Lane, Park Road, Albury, Water Lane, Newlands Corner, NDW, (storm drain fun), pick a descent eg, Shere/Gomshall cycle route 22 or railway crossing at Hackhurst Farm, Peaslake

[img] [/img]

The owners, with a young family, of the farm did a wonderful restoration job. Dad returns home via helicopter on a Friday evening. Different world.

Dare I say St Marthas is a nice area for a walk! 😯 ...always liked strolling with the kids around St Marthas then heading south (down the chutey path) to the old gunpowder factory where you can mess in the stream

mess in the stream

😯

That issue up there ^^^ Is the run in really slow or can just hop the lot with a bit of speed? That said the landing looks awkwardly narrow.

It's not mega slow, maybe 10km/h as there some roots at the base of a tree to negotiate first. I walk my dogs up there a lot so I'll get a video next time.

Just remembered I made this a couple of months ago. It's one of the north descents with a few small jumps.

Amazing how the vid makes that look so flat!

😯

You never messed in rivers before Jamb? Its very exhilarating, especially if the water is cold 😉

Amazing how the vid makes that look so flat!

yeah doesn't do it justice at all, I wasn't going the fast either as only done it a couple of times and there's a few different turnings/options to remember.

Here's another one of the downs link in the winter on my Specialized Epic with bonus crash at the end. There was a bramble at neck height so I dodged it and ended up in some different brambles 🙂 Again it looks pretty flat.

Makes no sense to make it all off limits to bikes especially with pretty wide bridleways through, and I do wonder if it's even legal.

Anywhere a horse goes my bike can also go, is my attitude nowadays...

I've only seen one no cycling sign at chantries but it's not there anymore, it was by the camping entrance.

We used to enjoy the walking loop round through Colyers Hanger and try and keep the dog out of the lakes and river ! We used to climb that steep path back to St Marthas or easier Downs Link option.

There are no bridleways in the parts of the Chantries off limits to bikes. The bridelways go round the outside. There are "no bikes" carved into all the main wooden signs as far as I remember.

Anyway provided we are sensible about it there isn't normally a problem

TurnerGuy - Member 
Anywhere a horse goes my bike can also go, is my attitude nowadays...

That's my rule, but generally anywhere horses go is a friggin nightmare to ride once they've churned the place up.

Especially around Farley Heath and Blackheath. I'm usually swearing about bloody horses by the time I've got through them. Not much to ride there really though nice area anyway. Couple of bits where I can link up a number of natural tracks into a nice flowy section.

Oh and bloody Chobham Common! 👿 . Not only a nightmare as horses go everywhere there but some of the bridleways are marked as horses yet, bikes no! I'm sure the no bike signs aren't official. They look like ones the local horsey clubs have knocked up. Though no point riding them as they're impossible to ride.

p.s. Llamas or Alpaca? 😀

Nice and dry at the moment is Chobham, even the boggy bits. I always thought the `horses only' signs were to actually keep them off other bridleways? Either way, I ignore them, partly as the signage is not always clear when you are riding along a bridleway or double track and you are somehow supposed to suddenly turn around. Having said that, they do appear to wonder off piste themselves but I've always found them really friendly as you'd expect. Since moving onto the edge of the Common in January what does amuse me is the sign pollution at every single access point. And the Doggers of course.

Only thing Chobham Common is good for is mushrooms of the magic variety

Only thing Chobham Common is good for is mushrooms of the magic variety

Interesting to know 🙂

Was over at St Marthas with me dogs so here's a vid of The Pipe DH. Boring video but if you're going to ride it then might come in handy.

Niche 🙂

These are filmed up on Pitch I think, anyone know who the presenter is Surrey local ?

Not seen those before nice one. She's got a London accent, definitely not Surrey.

The presenter is Anna Glowinski.

Interesting lady, didn't know there was an ITV bike show

Amazingly, depsite people going on about it, i went to Surrey Hills for the first time ever yesterday.

Must admit, it was an absolute blast, thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The trails are sort of 'old school' Swinley, which are not the structured and defined hard-packed terrain of Swinley, but the older trails that are cut out of the terrain and the roots/rocks and trees sort of blend into the trail to become features.

It was tough at times not having any idea where any of the trails go, because at times they're a little tight and lacking in vision, so makes it hard to carry any speed as you have no idea where you're going on them. You can say "follow the bloke in front", which is often easier than you think, especially when Beancounter has upped his game massively from the bloke i rode with previously, he's a far far better rider on the stuff than he was.

At times on a couple of the trails off Pitch Hill, i felt slightly under-biked, they're steepish, rooty and techy.. .but i got down them and survived OK.

I was laughing lots at Beanie when we did Barry Knows Best as he was telling me about the braking bumps at the bottom... which to be honest i'm still trying to find.. He's going to have his eyes opened to braking bumps when he gets over to the Alps, he'll then learn the true definition of that... just has he comes into a massive cavernous hole where there should be a berm.

We bailed after only 2 and a bit hours as my knee was giving me a bit of pain, i seem to be struggling a little with it at the moment... not sure why.... But i certainly worked hard and had a lot of fun. !

Some of the trails have jumps in that are not massively hard, but the sort you'll jump better 2nd time of asking as you get to know the trails, but some have good vision and you just launch yourself off as you're carrying speed and land nicely on the other side.. Top top fun.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. There's so many trails to explore when you have more time. Head over to Leith Hill for more awesome and varied trails.

Anyone riding Saturday 17th and room for a little 'un?

Down for the weekend and fancy a ride but no idea route wise as live in Sheffield!

Weeksy glad you enjoyed it, we knew you would. I would guess aside from BKB / Yougurt Pots (or Golden Birdies and Parklife if you want to sound old school) everything you rode is unofficial / off-piste so will not feel like main Swinley trails.

Its always faster to ride a trail a second, third, fourth time. I usually suggest people ride BKB and YP a coupe of times on a first trip. Plenty of jumping to be found from little stuff to massive, usually the bigger stuff is quite well hidden.

Perhaps we can get a ride in mid/late Sep either SH (show you some other areas to explore) or Swinley

Finally and a little tounge in cheek you have more than enough bike 😉

@jet you could join a shop ride at Nirvana in Westcott - have a look and see if one of the rides appeals. I think Pedal and Spoke in Peaslake do rides too. What sort of standard are you ? I could email you a few pointers. Grand tour or sessioning trails, or a bit of both ? You can spend all day there with a lunch stop or smash out a 3hr loop.

Jamba- Cheers for the heads up.

The XC ride sounds ok depending on how rapid it is. I have been riding for years but am definitely more of a uppy downy XC rides type than some kind of freeride god!

3-4 hour ride be ideal or thereabouts as will ride with the Mrs in the afternoon which will be steadier.

Nirvana Cycles in Westcott do a Saturday shop ride leaving at 10am - it's intended to be 'freeride' - basically it's jumps practice with a bit of trail riding. Usually gets back to the shop around 1 - 2pm. If you're gonna show up make sure you're on time as it normally departs promptly.

Will email you later a few GPX & descriptions as a min you can look at them on bike hike and load to your phone (viewranger app). You'll need some sort of navigation skills or technology help.

Jet26 - I'm more than happy to show you about if you like - my email address is in my profile.

likewise jet26 email in profile

Cheers guys - have pinged you both a mail. James