Devil's Drop-offs & Directional Disarray

Arriving early Jon enjoyed a customary cuppa at the National Trust Cafe before the others arrived: A few last minute phone calls were all it took to organize a rare weekend outing for him, Charlie, Ade and Julie. The ever popular Hindhead Common and Devil's Punchbowl car park was chocker-block with dog walkers, horse riders, bikers and alike but team TCA eventually found each other among the urban detritus, despite Julie’s inability to tell left from right [although it should be pointed out there is some debate whether Jon's notorious inability to accurately relate instructions was actually at fault, Ed.].

Dodging dog walkers and strollers provided ample entertainment at the start of the ride but the first downhill section was safely negotiated before appearing on the heathland of Hindhead Common. Unfortunately no one scored any points from hits – we wondered if there was anything in the Country Code to prevent one from so doing. We cycled through Highcomb Copse to Ridgeway Farm, tackling a challenging rutted track with drop offs which was narrow and steeply banked on both sides. We had our first stop to look at the map which Jon had brought at the last minute despite assurances from others (Ade) that they knew the way: In typical fashion we realised that we were on a wrong tack and should instead be riding down a rugged bouldered track towards Little Cowdray Farm. This section is a tester of suspension with more seriously tricky downhill drop offs, a test too stern for Julie's aging forks.

Portrait of a Couple in Love, with bikes
(Julie & Adrian)

Having negotiated the descent we chose to cycle through the Ford rather than across the Bridge and started the steep uphill towards the Farm. Ad managed to get to the top without stopping, Charlie nearly, but Jon and Julie crashed unceremoniously into the banks of the track towards the top and pushed the last few meters.

Back on the heath it was thirsty work as we cycled up gritty gravel paths into the sun. Again the realization hit us that we did not know the traditional route devised some years previous and last ridden in April 2006. Using a tried-and-tested TCA emergency procedure however, we agreed to head towards the vehicle noise along the A3 which we knew we had to cross at some stage. The tactic duly worked and we were through onto the other side in no time. It was noted that some riders at this stage appeared to turn for home towards the car park (we had only been riding for a hour and done about 3 miles or so). After a brief talking to, the whole group dropped downhill to the East and into an unknown wooded section. We had one stop to look at the map but gave it up as a bad job - all agreed we did not know where we were - even Charlie’s GPS did not yield any grid references and our concentration was disrupted by some redneck starting up his angle grinder in a shed right next to us [Is that round about way of saying you got lost, again? Ed.].

Ad burns up the trail

Taking the initiative Jon decided to ride where the best looking tracks were in the general direction of the car park. It was evident that some of this was in the Foot and Mouth exclusion zone evident from warning notices and disinfectant maps. Despite protests of "where are you taking us?" and "warn us of what is ahead!", everyone enjoyed some challenging up-and-downs, practicing BMX skills and attempted bunny-hops off the beaten track.

Jon attacks a drop-off

We got back to the car park and had a quick pint at the Devil's Punch Bowl Hotel bar following which Ade and Julie rushed off to do some baby sitting. Charlie and Jon went their separate ways after a while reminiscing about their trip to Afan .

Route Map (click to enlarge):

Altitude Profile:

(Posted by: Jon, Photos & Maps: Charlie)

1. Adrian deals with the Devil

A poignant ride this, being the first after the loss of one of our founder members, Paul to pastures new (Hamilton, New Zealand). Determined not to let the TCA die we resolved to make a special effort to keep the faith, and commit our pursuits to a blog.

Al, Jon and 'new boy' Adrian parked up in the pub across the way from the National Trust car park (for fear of getting locked in, not saving the £1 donation to the NT I hasten to add!). Adrian turned up for his first ride with the TCA on his sheila's bike, having extended the seat post to accommodate a more gangly stature (Paul's SCOTT ruled out due to the lack of SPD shoes and my inability to change the pedals - they seem fused due to neglect by the previous owner!). Lights were fitted, although it was light when we left and we descended into the abyss on the Southern side of the 'bowl at 6.30ish... Weather was very fine, milder than previous weeks, although colder than average for the time of year, Adrian the first to brave shorts in 2006!

We knew we were missing someone as we weren't bored to tears by commentary when we reached the old house on the western edge of the 'bowl with the bits of flint in the mortar... Down the kick-start-esque drop to the river. I seem to have invented an equivalent of the 'railway embankment challenge' by getting the the top of the climb from the river without getting off the bike, Adrian at least has this to learn!

Paul will be pleased to hear that all the bar maids have been replaced by sweaty, bearded men in the Three Horseshoes, Thursley (SU902397) but the pint of 'fff' went down very well, pausing of course to toast absent members! Still light we took off back up the east side of the punch bowl (clockwise route), but found a right turn to descend into the centre of the bowl, past the YHA and up to find the trig point with fine views north over guildford, the capital obscured by the evening fog.

We were all rather frustrated that it stayed light for so long we still had no need for lights as we pulled back into the car park at 8pm.. . a few portions of spicy/cheesy chips) and a portion of cheesy garlic bread delivered to our table in error (Billy-Bob eat your heart out!) and a pint of 6X later and we decided to do the initial decent with lights to show our new recruit what it's all REALLY about... I think we have a convert!

Back in the cars at 9.30ish.

(Posted by: Al)