Muddy@rse Recce Ride: Queen Elizabeth Park

Today was spent putting together an upcoming Muddy@rse ride for 2008 beginning at QEP in Hampshire. A healthy dose of the newly built singletrack followed by a tour of the South Downs returning for a final whiz along the older established singletrack. Following the recent rain the chalky ground was very slippery and we all had a couple of dodgy moments.

Highlights included the new singletrack switchbacks in QEP - the berms were great fun but the bare chalk sections were deadly- followed by a serious rooty climb when we were defeated HelsBells told us that she cleaned it the previous day! The steep rocky descent into a sheltered and muddy valley was a challenge, we do this section a couple of times each year and it is steep and loose but today it was particularly treacherous and on the verge of too dangerous. There were also the usual step-ups and rooty sections. The lemon drizzle cake in the shop needs a mention - almost worth the drive on it own.

One thing we all agreed - a Muddy@rse ride for when the ground is dry.