Mountain Biking on the North Downs. Peter Edwards
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Название: Mountain Biking on the North Downs

Автор: Peter Edwards

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Спорт, фитнес

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isbn: 9781783620180

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ alt="Image"/> (no signpost) and continue around to a T-junction with a road. Turn Image and climb along the road; at the brow of the hill, turn sharp Image off the road onto a broad byway track. Climb steadily, bear Image and continue Image on a bridleway where the byway turns sharp right. Turn Image at the next bridleway and continue to the road by Rodsall Manor. Turn Image along the road and continue around to a T-junction (SU 918 460). Turn Image and then Image to return to the car park.

      Alternative finish at Guildford station

      B Turn Image at the T-junction at SU 918 460 and take the second signposted bridleway on your right. Follow the route description in paragraphs 2 and 3, but then turn Image off the NDW and retrace the outward route of the alternative start.

      ROUTE 2

      St Martha’s Hill–Abinger loop

Start/FinishGuildford train station SU 992 496; or Echo Pit Road car park TQ 004 484
Distance28.5km (17¾ miles)
On road7.5km (4¾ miles)
Off road21km (13 miles)
Percentage off road75%
Ascent550m (1805ft)
GradeHard
Time4hrs–4hrs 30mins
MapsOS Explorer 145, Landranger 186
PubThe Volunteer Inn, Abinger Hammer
CaféAbinger Hammer Tearooms

      Overview

      Although clocking in at less than 30km, this little gem of a route certainly packs a lot into its relatively modest distance. The route takes in a loop of the wooded and hilly country to the east of Guildford; heading east along the sandy tracks of The Chantries and St Martha’s Hill, weaving a route between the villages of Albury, Shere, Gomshall and Abinger Hammer before launching up the steep south escarpment of the North Downs and returning along the bridleways of the NDW. Three-quarters of the route is off road, much of the rest follows narrow country lanes. There are a few climbs to deal with but none so fearsome as the ever-steepening 125m pull up from Hackhurst Farm to the top of the North Downs.

Image Image Image Image Image

      Pedal power! Climbing the steep escarpment on Hackhurst Downs

      Directions

      1 From Guildford station, follow the one-way system around to join the A281 Shalford road. After 650m, join the cycle path running parallel to the RH side of the road; follow this for 600m before turning Image (NDW) and crossing back over the A281 onto a residential road. Continue up the road for 400m before turning Image onto a track road (NDW). Follow the track round past Echo Pit Road car park (an alternative start/finish) as it climbs to the left of Chantry Cottage. Continue on this excellent track along the edge of the Chantries woodland. Beware of an area of soft sand that may stop you in your tracks.

      2 At a T-junction with a minor road (Halfpenny Lane), dogleg Image then Image and climb steeply up the flank of St Martha’s Hill following NDW signs. At a fork, the good uphill track becomes footpath only, so turn Image and contour around the hill on a frequently unrideable soft sand track. Once the track starts descending you may gain enough traction to stay upright. At a path T-junction, keep Image along the bridleway. Cross Image over the next Image, passing a Downs Link signpost on your right. At a bridleway fork, bear Image to go through a small car park and emerge at a road. Dogleg Image then Image onto a narrow, sandy bridleway path to follow the Pilgrim’s Way (PW). Keep Image at a Image and climb across a field before descending steeply down a sunken lane to a Image. Turn Image downhill along Water Lane.

Image

      Heading east on the Pilgrim’s Way, with Albury Downs beyond

      3 At the T-junction with the A248, turn Image then after 300m, on entering Albury, turn Image onto Church Lane opposite the shop/post office. Bear Image at a fork and continue past the church and war memorial; the road comes to an end and a track continues Image (wooden bridleway signpost) before swinging right, uphill between steep embankments. Climb steeply to a T-junction with a broader track, bear Image and continuing climbing. At a fork in a sandy clearing, bear Image following a blue bridleway waymarker, then soon bear Image to cross a gravel track and continue Image uphill onto a sandy track (bridleway waymarker).

      4 On emerging at a road junction, continue Image along Park СКАЧАТЬ