Redlands Trails

Summer Lightning - straightlines

We've blocked off a straightline exit to the end of the first section of Summer Lightning for the third time now.

It's a desire line - that is, an obvious line into the next section that helps riders carry speed. However, desire lines are not the only rule governing where a trail is placed.

The extra speed will likely increase wear to the next section - in fact, it's now apparent that that is begining. That'll take hard work to fix.

The exisitng twisty line is also there for a reason; it slows riders as they cross a bridleway. Horse riders also use the bridleway, and the intention of the twisty bit at the end of the trail is to give them time to see cyclists, and cyclists time to see them.

Which brings us to the main event; if people start shooting out of the first section into the second, there's a good chance that a horse rider and horse will get a shock (leading to all kinds of malarkey) and also that the trail will need a lot more maintenance.

If you are (or if you see) the person repeatedly clearing the straightline, please tell them to stop, and point them towards this site. It's really important that this stops, because it jeapordises the trail. If we can't manage it so it keeps rider riding safely, the Forestry will manage it - and that could mean simply closing it down permanently.

Singletrack inspiration for the weekend

singletrack
Originally uploaded by bent udder

These guys really know how to lay down the moves. Not that they held us up last weekend, you understand...

Trail condition report for 8th May

Morning over the vineyard
Originally uploaded by bent udder

It's hot and sunny (the mist in this pic from 8am this morning has burned off) and the trails are dry and crispy. At the moment, there's not a cloud in the sky.

A little bit of work, and a whole lot of learning

BKB berms
Originally uploaded by bent udder

Last Sunday, Ian Warby from CTC came down to show us a few trail building tricks - it's been almost four years since Ian was last down showing us how things are done, and lots has changed in that time.

With a small group, we learnt a whole lot of things about building and repairing trails. Ride down BKB/Golden Birdies/Reservoir Dogs and you should have a much better time of things - even if it's not immediately apparent what work has been done.

We also took a look at a new section of trail that's been in the works for a while. I won't say much here, because it's by no means completed yet, but the extra input will make for a far better trail once it's open.

Ian also showed us some pretty smart organisational chops, which should help us manage trail days and work with people who fancy a bit of building much more effectively. Some of it is blindingly obvious - once you've been told - but is fantastically helpful. One problem common to all volunteer trail building orgs is the issue of completely random numbers of people turning up on build days. It makes planning really difficult, from schedules of work through to baking enough cakes and making enough sandwiches for the builders. Ian showed us a trick that gets rid of this - something that's been one of our biggest headaches since the very beginning.

Big orienteering event on Leith Hill this weekend

This weekend, between 2,000 and 3,000 entrants will compete in a *huge* orienteering event in Surrey. JK 2008 will  include an event on Leith Hill on Saturday, and one checkpoint will be on Summer Lightning. If you're planning a ride this weekend, then please be on the lookout for runners, and please make sure you keep an eye out should you ride Summer Lightning.

A week is a long time

A week is a long time in politics, so the saying goes. It is also a long time on the North Downs and since last weekend the hills have had an opportunity to dry out nicely and yesterday the trails were in cracking condition and very quick.

Sadly this report is not all good news. The mountain bike route that sits to the right (as you are climbing towards the Tower) of Wolvens Lane has been used by a motorbike. The motorcyclist must have used the trail when it was still damp because it has chewed the line up pretty badly in places.

The worst damage is on the last climb onto the mountain bike trail you do from the main Wolvens Lane that then drops you into a plateau of yumps and ends at the four-way junction for dropping down to Billy is a Runaway. The biker has gone off the side, chewing up the little ramp.

None of it is the end of the world, it'll just slow you down a little.

Local farmer ploughs online

Manor Farm, on the outskirts of Wotton has launched a new website to keep farm users, visitors and locals up to date with what's going on, down at the farm. The farm backs on to the trails leading onto Leith Hill and many of us will cross its boundaries without really knowing it.

Manor Farm hit the headlines recently when there was a suspected Foot & Mouth outbreak, which thankfully was not the case.

The website has all the latest news and information about the farm, its activities, the history of the farm and its involvement in country stewardship. It’s a great looking site and will knock the detractors who see farming as backward.

If you ride in the Surrey Hills, you need to read this

We've not posted an update on the recent Hurtwood Control meeting on the 25h July for mountain bikers
here, although we've been busy elsewhere. So here's what's happened - and why you should care.

Hurtwood Control is the biggest land manager in the Surrey Hills. It manages Holmbury Hill and a lot of Pitch Hill, too.

Hurtwood is a remarkably forward-thinking organisation, and it's also dedicated to public access to the land it manages. This was effectively brought about by a Deed of Dedication signed in 1926 - the current owner of the Bray estate is the great neice (I think that's right) of the original signatory of the Deed.

However, mountain biking on Hurtwood land has reached a point where it's starting to have a detrimental impact on both the land and other land users. Hurtwood has to act.

Rather than simply ban mountain bikes, they want to get us involved and help them manage the problem they have.

That means that you - and your mates, and anyone else who rides in the Surrey Hills - needs to get involved in one way or another. Here's a list of what you can do.

1) Join Hurtwood Control.
If you think the riding you enjoy on Hurtwood Control land is worth more than £25, you'd be right. Hurtwood Control membership costs £25 a year and allows the Control to keep managing the land. The more money - and the more mountain bikers - join Hurtwood Control, the better for them, and the better for us. The application form can be downloaded here.

2) Keep off Parklife / Yoghurt Pots for now.
The trail from the top of Holmbury Hill enjoys lots of swoops - and those swooopy bits are actually a scheduled ancient monument - an Iron age Hill Fort. English Heritage has the power to do all kinds of nasty things if we don't stop riding - and damaging it. So lay off for a bit, please.

3) Get involved in Hurtwood.
If you're willing to help move earth, or even put some of your non-biking skills to use helping organise things, drop mtb(at)hurtwoodcontrol.co.uk a line.

If you want to know more, drop us a line, or ask around - don't take our word for it. This is really important stuff!
I saw a lot of people from local bike shops at the meeting, including Dave from Cycleworks, Dan from Head for the Hills, and Jackie from Nirvana. Richard from Surrey Hills MTB tours, Ian Warby from CTC, and a chap from IMBA UK were also in attendance. Ask them what happened, how you can help and what they think.

Alternatively, take a look at these accounts:

Chocolatefoot

STW

More STW

Yet more STW

NIrvana

Government hears the call of cyclists

The government has been revising the Highway Code, which for those mountain bikers who train on the road or commute on a bike is of importance.

Rules 61 and 63 were causing some concern in the cycling world and led to a campaign to ensure that the revisions initially proposed did not enter the code. A revised version of the revions of rules 61 and 63 has now been agreed. The initial one basically led the bike community to fear that it would have to use a cycle lane even if there were problems with it. The revision now states:

61 Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

63 Cycle Lanes. These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway. When using a cycle lane, keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

Provided that there are no objections in Parliament to the proposed revisions we should be able to publish the new edition of the Highway Code by the end of September. Any delay in issuing the Code would mean delaying the benefits of applying all the improved advice for all road users that it contains, including advice to motorists to be more aware of vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

Update on Foot-and-Mouth scare

The BBC is reporting that initial tests show that there is not a case of Foot-and-Mouth in Wotton near Westcott.  Its report says:

"Meanwhile, the BBC has learned the first batch of tests at a suspect farm outside the existing surveillance zone have come back negative."

DEFRA has placed a map of the area covered by the temporary control zone here: http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/FMD/map.jsp?xyRef=514031.5129805455,148772.565872486&scale=20000&label=&xylabel=%20%20%20&zoomOrID=zoom

Redlands Trails will place further updates on this blog as they come in.