North Downs, Sun 14th Oct

Perfect conditions for a 7-man assault on Leith Hill / Holmbury Hill. 16°C, no rain, and just enough mud to make it interesting. Terrain was gnarlier than our usual – very challenging in places. 10/10. 🙂

Route:
From Coldharbour, Summer Lightning (x2), then nameless singletrack into steep rocky chute to GR136457, grind up Broadmoor, clean(!) the steep climb to Leith Tower, then NW for some “novice freeride”, down to Starveall, then a fast b-way past Upfolds to the road, and via Joldwynds to the base of Holmbury. Incredibly steep push to summit, then Bombholes, Telegraph Road, a stop to patch up bloody knees, then road/Greensands Way/road back to the car. Total about 14 miles.

Learning points:
Car park was full at the Plough in Coldharbour – next time we’d be better off meeting at the Landslip or Starveall, see map.

Crew, kit, bruises:
Baris, Rowan, James, Ed, Colin, Anna, Vikki. 5 Specializeds, a Trek and a hire bike. Vikki bloodied her knee/shin on Telegraph Road, and, for the first time in living memory, Baris did not bleed. 😀