The weather shined on all the riders (photos © Richard Sterry)

The Trail Break Southern Trail Ride Series made its debut at Reigate on Saturday, with a choice of routes that showcased everything that makes the North Downs so popular.

Climbing straight up Reigate Hill within a mile and half of the start gained riders a hatful of height that they then spent the next third of the ride joyfully losing on a variety of dusty single and double track trails.

Deposited grinning at the foot of Box Hill, most were grinning slightly less at the top of the relentless climb, but that was the only brief excursion into suffering of the day. From there it was roller coaster North Downs niceness all the way back to Reigate Hill and a swooping downhill finale to a hard earned post ride bowl of chilli – a Trail Break speciality.

The day also marked a first collaboration between Trail Break and Redhill CC, who made a club weekend of it (turning out en masse for the following days Sunday Sportive road event too), and contributing a sack load of event promotion and assistance too.

Full ride times for all distances are now online at www.trailbreak.co.uk.

Redhill CC’s Richard Sterry says: “Putting together Trail Break’s organisational strength and Redhill Cycling Club’s local knowledge and enthusiasm was a recipe for a fantastic cycling weekend. We’ve wanted to stage a big event for a while and it made perfect sense to team up with Trail Break.”

“Finding a venue and designing the MTB route is so much easier if you know the area well. We picked some of the best trails incorporating a bit of everything the North Downs has to offer. The quality of the MTB ride surprised some who live just a few miles away. Trail Break organised the event in their calm and professional manner, what more could a club ask for?”

Redhill CC has an active membership and organise regular road and off road rides throughout the year. See www.redhillcc.co.uk for details.

The next Trail Break event

The Southern Trail Ride series goes to Woodcote, Oxfordshire, on 16 August. Trail Breaks says: “Some superb Chiltern Hill trails feature on the Woodcote course, which also takes you right down onto the banks of the Thames. Great biking in some stunning countryside.”

More details and online entry at www.trailbreak.co.uk