Newlands Corner - Snow - DANGER.

[Dave]

Tried going up London lane... ANYWAY that didn't happen. Made it about 20% and after about an hour. Same with Leith Hill. Basically had to walk the bike up and down like John did the other day. That Knackered me pushing it up that hill.

Aside from those two lanes everything else was awesome and I've explored some brilliant areas in the isolation of the snowy trails.

Oh with the exception of this one road.. It said road closed so I had to go up it. But it was a graveyard of mangled cars and trucks with smashed windows and things still left in them as though it was a scene from 28 Days Later!






And getting round this was difficult the first try as I tried to go between the truck and the bank. But not enough speed and slid under the truch.

Then I thought as I'd been exploring the woods most of the day I'd just ride full speed at the bank and go around the truck, through the woods. Apologies TRF but I don't think ROW counts today as it's a snowmageddon. Also on the way out this morning saw 10 family's who'd broken into Thames Water to sled down the reservoirs. So yeah!


Any trails I rode today, where the snow had been flattened by 4v4s to the extent of being hard icey snow, were not safe to ride as speed unless you could safely get into the middle where there was fresh snow, in which case it was super fun. - And a bit scary at times when sliding suddenly into the ruts!

Can't wait to do this again!

[Beerbelly]

Never ceases to amaze me how stupid people can be! If there are weather warnings stay at home unless your in a 4x4 Country lanes just don't get gritted like main roads. Lucky for us on enduros with knobblies

[newsh]

Wow, carnage there, is that over near Horsley?

Glad you had a good time mate, just remember if you're on your own in the middle of the woods there sometimes isn't any phone coverage

Good choice of lane for the vid though, bet that ford was cold!

[Dave]

Yeah, Soto, it was surprising how much I got away with, on the hardpacked snow, on the bad roads with the knobblies. definitely more than road tyres I'm sure. but i wasn't willing to test the limits on the roads and end my day early. There was so much snaking all day it was mental. Hopefully it comes in useful for boggy lanes in the spring.

John, the road is here, and yeah thanks I had a wicked time. Came off twice, the landing wasn't too bad, sorta just slid. On the first off I had to run after the bike because it was still running and powering itself in a slide down a lane! I know what ya mean about the signal on the phone. Was trying to temper my riding and not tempt fate.

[CRH]

It does look like 28 Days - Why did so many people crash? Was it snowy? Must have been a weird experience.

[big yellow tractor]

Then I thought as I'd been exploring the woods most of the day I'd just ride full speed at the bank and go around the truck, through the woods. Apologies TRF but I don't think ROW counts today as it's a snowmageddon.

If the route is blocked by a fallen tree or such like, you are legally allowed to leave the byway to go round the obstruction. I'm sure a pile of cars and a small truck would count as an obstruction

[newsh]

Car-and-van-nage in fact!









I'll get me coat..
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[newsh]

Yeah, I know exactly where that is, what was the hairpin like? It's pretty steep up there.

Must have been black ice from all the water that runs down the road.

[kris]

Great post Dave .... **post of the year 2013** nomination !

[stevent]

Great post Dave .... **post of the year 2013** nomination !

I second that! What carnage on White Down Road. Hilarious! How stupid to drive a truck down there on snow and ice! Great post!

[matt_rehm_hext]

Lol that looks mad. I would have loved to get out in the snow offroading but it would mean my usual ride over box hill way but with the roads iced up and very dangerous.