I was shocked at how many differences there are too between North and South - many more than I expected.

That was the infamous ‘grind up, ride down fast, then do it again’ style, that Sharon mentioned in the last article. I am not sure it is my cup of tea. We were off again, we rode on the different lanes where I gazed out at houses, farms, woods and hippy campsites. Anything to take my focus off the climbingdid I ever mention how much I hate climbing? Sharon, with barely a hint of sweat (how does she do that?), was effortlessly floating up the hills while I struggled away, but wasn’t lonely - Dave was sharing my walk. Another carb intake, only Ross and I stopped to refuel at this time. The second climbing session seemed to take forever compared to the first and its downhill reward was over so quickly. The downhill trails had changing terrain, the technical trails were very rocky and bumpy with switchback lanes. I quickly learnt that there was no point using the brakes because the layers of rocks were very loose. This was where I understood the crucial message I was recently told - ‘Momentum is your friend’. Straight back up the gravity-fighting madness that was the climb to Knott Wood for a second drop to the valley down ‘Vietnam’ where plans unravelled as Kirsty went over the bars in a slow speed stack on the rocky section and popped her thumb out of joint. Ouch. Dave had scrubbed plans for ‘Big Dog’s Dick’, ‘Callis’, and ‘Chipps’ Birthday Present’, I found his naming skills amusing, but with so many names it seems a necessity. I’m useless at describing to others the trails I have been on when out on a ride at home, I can see it as a type of branding, a name for a section you have conquered. It is nice to think that the names would last for a generation or more of riders. We walked down the lane with wounded Kirsty and with her loaded into a car and hospital-bound,

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we headed to Sharon’s favourite post ride cafe. Unfortunately, too soon, it was time for us to load the car and drive home.

Finally, our two weekends of north and south trail swapping have come to an end. Ross and I had a fab weekend with great company and hospitality. It proves that the northerners are more able at climbing than the southerners - but is it just a necessity, or do they enjoy it? It was very difficult trying to keep up with all Dave’s stories with so many names of friends and trails, but it was enjoyable to listen to. The north has so much to offer and there are many comparisons that can be made with the south, however, I was shocked at how many differences there are too between north and south - many more than I expected. I have learnt that sharing your host’s trails with people of similar interests is like is a double-edged reward. Firstly the sharing of trail secrets and secondly how it brings an appreciation for a local patch that slowly may have been lost over the hundreds of times you may have ridden it before. It would be interesting for more people to share their local trails in the way I have been lucky enough to do. Wherever you are and wherever you go, north, nouth, east or west, highland or lowland, there’s always something and someone to learn from. It is the right way to play, it’s always special to guide your trails with visitors, without using a pain-in-arse-map or GPS. And it’s great to be led, without having to wonder where to go.

So don’t hide your favourite trails away... sharing is permitted.

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