29/06/2021
Mountain biking in the Surrey Hills.
If you are one of the many living in London that bought a mountain bike during the pandemic, it’s time to be more adventurous!
Now that the lockdown is over, there are some fantastic cross-country trails within reach of the capital for people to ease their way into mountain biking on more challenging terrain.
With a journey time of less than an hour on South Western Railway from London Waterloo and Clapham Junction, Milford and Witley stations are both within easy reach of these trails in the west Surrey Hills.
You will soon realise that mountain biking takes on a new meaning away from the streets of London. There are plenty of challenging climbs but these are usually rewarded with stunning views across the surrounding countryside: The Devil’s Punchbowl, Puttenham Common and Frensham Ponds just to name a few.
Many of the trails can be very muddy, especially after a downpour, but this is part of the fun of mountain biking, and you will soon realise how capable your bike is off-road: remember it was built with this in mind. Just make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing and pack a waterproof top just in case.
If you are really lucky you may come across a film set; a lot of filming is done in the area due to its proximity to London and the many film studios there. Gladiator, James Bond (Skyfall) and Harry Potter have all been filmed on locations that you pass through on the various loops.
Please do get in touch if this sounds like you - with 20 years experience riding in the area I can tailor the ride to suit you and your fitness levels!
