Well there is always going to be a god awful climb up to Newlands itself but basically, yes.

Didn't quite get the rigid Ragley finished, shame as it would have been ideal, but will be out bouncy for the muddy slog nevertheless, and thanks to DAndy will have a mud-x out back..

Would like to shred some gnar at AZ on the way, then after the climb will return with DAndy if I can keep up.

A demain..

I guess we'd go the normal way to Abinger Roughs taking in AZ etc.

Should be fun. (apart from that 'god awful climb up to the church)

I plan to be there with the Singular. With recent equipment failures now including my belt I apologise in advance of my shorts falling off!

Late night and temporary loss of mojo accounts for no show. Have a good one.

The St Martha's Hill posse enjoyed a late stop at Newlands Corner and made it back in one piece (assuming Mark W got back to Dorking ok on those slippery Rocket Rons !). Thanks for an interesting route, MarkyMark.

I was surprised at how cold it got on the return leg. I'd dug my heavy, sweaty waterproof out of the back of the rucksack as I'd started to chill (as in getting cold, not relaxing with some blow) at the cafe. Ended up keeping it on all the way home. I know Gary was suffering a bit, too.

Great ride guys, but I shall be absent again for a while as they butcher my eyes about for the next few weeks

Black Heath was great, like Summer riding on that sand in the pine tree forest!

It was sure a challenging day. Slippery slidey mess. And chillly.

Sorry we missed the main group at the cafe - partly coz Martha's Hill climb was unrideable!

My lower jockey wheel has gone quickly pointed in the last month or so. So much crap on the drivetrain is destroying it. Feels like winter riding 10 years ago. I honestly can't remember such terrible conditions.

Glad you made it back men. We got a bit cool at Newlands so decided to head on back along the NDW? Great blast back and even the deep puddles had become fun instead of trying to avoid them.

Too many scary grinding noises from drivetrain and brakes though. Must have lost 3m off my rear pads today.

Karl arrived back at Bocketts on only one pedal, outstanding.
We even had Pascal still with us, result!

Great ride in winter slop!

Ah yes, I've done the one pedal trick before now. My drive train was making horrible grinding noises, nothing a good degrease and regrease couldn't cure.
I had a massive sugar bonk about 2 hours after I got back, needed 2 scones covered in black currant jam to fix