Lapierre Zesty Video MBR

So Andy Watermand from MBR definitely shares our views of the Lapierre Zesty - what a great ride!

Here's a video of the Zesty in action as part of Andy's testing-

But to really see it in action you can ride with some great Lapierre riders on our group rides - or even take one out on a demo ride yourself- we have a medium 514 demo bike in store.

The day Surrey Stood still!

OK the title is a bit dramatic but... whether it was the change in clocks last night (and the need to stay in bed) or the Boat Race or the Australian Grand Prix, or the fact we broke a rider or 2 recently- there was a surprisingly low turn out for the ride today and not only for us - the trails were dead quiet and even Leith Tower had no queue for its fantastic cake and tea stop!

Well Simon, Simon and I headed out anyway bang on time and played on a jump in the local woods when Matt and Laura caught us up so we were 5!

We rode Sweet sweet bulbs and did some more trail maintenance on the berms which are shaping up nicely, then via Capt Underpants we headed over heads roll and up to Leith Tower for said Cakes- mmm Yummy! Then we weaved around over to the quarry and played on Worth the Myther and once we were pretty dizzy after that we sprinted back via Personal Hygiene down to Summer Lightning where we sessioned the DH trail while some guys borrowed Simons chain tool to get fixed.  This set Shop Simon a new challenge to clear the last double, whilst Happy simon was clearing it smoothly by the end. It appears some compression off the take off is really necessary balanced with a good speed but not too fast. Check the video action and action stills for details!

Trails are still in great condition despite the rain yesterday and Summer Lightening was at its fastest so it was a fun run back. It appears the trees are sucking up all the moisture to make leaves so its nice and dry!

See you on Wednesday- get out and ride!

Riders: Simon, Simon, Claire, Matt, Laura

Ranmore Abba Zabba to Numb Skull

Many have heard of Abba Zabba, some may call it by other names and have ridden it, others ask where and what is it. So today we headed up the North Downs Way near Ranmore and White Down car park to ride a linked up fun piece of Singletrack from Abba Zabba into Blind Terror and down to Numb skull and show the fun to be had here- especially as the conditions are so great up on Ranmore right now.

Above is a video of the whole trail.

Below is us playing just on Abba Zabba a fun bomb hole with a left hand turn around a tree.

If you want to know where it is- come ride with us or pop into the shop for directions, but beware the big gap jump at the end of  the trail- a big hole that could catch out anyone who is flowing with the trail and unaware of what's ahead.

Have fun!

Wednesday ride

We had a big crowd for Wednesday's ride despite the fact clouds were gathering and rain threatening- but there is some fear that the trails won't be dry for much longer.

Heading up to Sweet sweet bulbs for some trail maintenance we shot a couple of jump videos- Nick showing us how we should be styling it up over the jumps. Then over to Heads Roll where inspiration spread and Gilles was in form and loving his highs before a kick up off the new jump which led to a bad front wheel landing and an over the bars landing on his bad knee- and his ride was done. Pleasure and pain Gilles- hope you recovered well.

Next up the agony climb from the Plough to the cricket green, across Bop til you Drop and over the tower down to Donnie Darko where Nat was doing dog squashing sessions. A few drops were hit then we were pedalling again and  weaving through Worth the Myther, losing Nick who wacked his shoulder on a tree. It looked like the rain was on its way and we rode back via a speedy speedy Summer Lightning and into the shop for tea just in time for the rain to chuck it down.

Riders: Simon, Nick, Jo, Claire, Gilles, Chris, Gary, Gavin, John, Chris,

Sunday Group Ride

Weather was still holding out today but when the wind blew it was arctic, forecast is a return to wintry conditions next week so we rode lots of dry trails from Ranmore to Newlands and around to make the most of it.

Watch the video of us riding Abba Zabba- I missed Steve's crash and breakage of trees. Fortunately he was bruised but not broken.

The rest of the ride we just rode and rode at a mellow but costant pace- some beautiful views over St. Martha's Hill where many mothers were being treated to Mothers day picnics. 

Nick decided to scare some young ladies by riding through the fords and getting wet as is his habit, the rest of us keeping dry crossing the bridge instead. We carried on until Simon hit the wall after lunching in Shere on chocolate and had to pootle home on zero energy- we rode on a little via Peaslake led by Gilles and then we did the usual ride like mad back to the shop, beating Simon back.

Riders: - Simon, Gilles, Nick, Matt, Dave, John, Steve, Michael, Claire.

Saturday Freeride skills session

Once again the sunshine brought a good turn out, 8 of us went up to session heads roll.

Some (like me) stuck to the existing jumps where skills still need to be honed while Florian created something new and the brave amongst us rode it in a varied range of styles, slow fast, sketchy, smooth.... Matt had a close encounter with his top tube which raised his voice a few notches for a while. 

Gilles arrived without his Mojo- at least it was still riding up the hill some 2 miles behind him- and after a quick practice he reluctanly got dragged along with us over to Donnie Darko where we played on No. 1 drop with a few spectators and then most moved on to No 2 which needed a good approach speed to clear it. Florain, Hugh, Tom, Matt, Gilles and Simon all made that one but Chris and I decided it was not for us ...yet.

As that was going well and the trails were dry and fast a decision was made to go for No. 3 which Simon, Matt, Florian and Hugh all cleared. You have to ride with speed and pump the take off to clear the 14-15 foot gap here. We all looked on in awe as another young rider overcooked it a little but had no worries continuing on to absolutely fly off the No.4 gap so high in the air and easily clearing the 20foot gap between take off and landing. (Thankfully no-one went for it- although Hugh was tempted I feared!)

We scooted down Windy Willows and headed home. I might not hit the big gaps but I actually love the 3 log rolls/jumps at the end of Windy Willows- even better in the dry right now. 

So lots more acheivements for many from today's session. (Keep these dry trails coming)

Old Blokes Ride Wed 18th March

The sun is shining on Surrey so there was a great turnout on Wednesday to ride some dry dry trails.

We headed up to Sweet sweet bulbs for some trail maintenance and after testing out the good work done by all there we rode via Heads Roll on up to Leith Tower, over to the quarry jumps for a few sessions and then back on Worth the Mither into Windy Willows finishing down the Rookery which has a new tarmac top to it recently.

John quiet as ever provides some good commentary as to everyone's skills or attitude - check the video footage.

The trails out there are so so dry- ride 'em while it lasts (oh long may it last p-lease!). A great chance to make use of those technical skills acquired all winter without fear of slipping in mud pools or slick roots for a change.

Sunday Ride - 8th March

So I disappeared off to Spain to ride in the sunshine (more on that later) and did not join this ride so I've no idea what went on but luckily Christine subbed for me on the videos and pictures so here they are.

Photos click here

Return to New Values

No I'm not going to get all political and talk about the "new values" of society today. Rather- this is the sequel to the blog video below from Wednesday 25th Feb (scroll down) about "Will she, Won't she ride the New Values drop off?"

A group of 9 of us headed out from the shop at 11 and today was really about getting some good mileage and playing on singletrack taking in some challenges along the way. Alex in the shop told us that Ranmore was in good condition, usually so muddy at this time of year, it is pretty dry after this fine weather spell. So up we climbed to the North Downs Way (NDW).

We practiced our log hopping technique then headed down Abba Zabba- a challenging huge fast bomb hole descent with a sudden up and turn left around the tree down again into another hole and back up the other side. Then sweet singletrack to another technical rollover called "Blind Terror"-- mmm yes I can see why? Not as bad as it looks just go in slow and stay off the brakes over the roots. Everyone managed it down- Dave riding it fast and smooth and Melanie with a grimace of doubt on her face just went for it and despite a squirly finish stayed attached to the bike! We figure she just proves that Vancouverites are born with a need to ride this stuff.

Along NDW and down to Shere for a picture postcard setting for a lunch stop next to the river. Up to Pitch Hill and play on Proper Beau for a few videos of the jump. Matt from Oz rode off it behind Gilles, me and Simon landing it and then almost exiting over the bars as he ran into simon. Then Michael from Slovakia rode off it a little off line and landed it with one foot on the pedal one foot on the jump- we all gasped, but he controlled it fine.

Then Simon said "Let's go to "New Values"". Well at that point my heart rate went up as I refused it on Wednesday but said "I'll be back" (in my best Arnie impression). Can I do it today? Am I switched on?

I have to admit I have been "mentally rehearsing" it in bed. A technique I learnt in my netball days where you play the set plays in your mind before matches until you can do them without even thinking. In my dreams I can see myself riding up to the edge and punching the bike forward, enjoying the view from the air and landing buttery smooth on the transition slope- so I hoped I was ready!

As usual Simon and Gilles popped off it and made it look easy. So with my heart racing I threw the camera at Matt to video me (although I did not stop to check it was actually set up right). I was quickly starting my slow slow run in, I stopped thinking about the drop and just crouched my arms in tight to the handlebars, let go of the brakes and punched the bike forward off the edge. In the air for ages, landed, yeehaaa that felt just like I dreamt it- high fives- Job done! (Phew!)

From there we raced back at a good pace to Westcott off road. Another array of smiley faces- great weather, great trails, great company.

Riders:  Simon, Gilles, Richard, Melanie, Matt, Dave, Michael, Claire, (oh no- whose name did I forget? Well I did warn you about my recall for names!)

Stats: 36km, at least 1 huge ego boost (me!), 9 smiley faces