Mountain Biking on the North Downs. Peter Edwards

rough guide and the actual time will vary depending on fitness and experience, time of year, weather conditions, and possible punctures or mechanical problems, as well as ‘re-fuelling’, pub or café stops. Allow yourself extra time, the first time you ride each of the routes in this guidebook.

      Distances

      Distances are given in kilometres and metres throughout the route descriptions. The total distance given at the beginning of each route is given in kilometres with the equivalent in miles given in brackets. All distances given in metres are linear distances and not height gain unless specifically stated. ‘Climb for 200m along the bridleway’ means the climb is over a distance of 200m as opposed to: ‘...ascend 200m as you climb along the bridleway for 500m’.

      The total route distances are also broken down into off-road and on-road distances, with the off-road total given as a percentage. These off-road/on-road distances are as accurate as possible, allowing for a few grey areas where there is some uncertainty as to whether a particular section of a route really qualifies as a ‘road’ or not!

      The route descriptions are detailed and map references are given where opportunities for uncertainty with route-finding occur. Once you have ridden the routes a couple of times they will become more familiar and you can spend less time with your nose in this book! Like following recipes from a cookery book, interpreting these routes in your own way and indulging in a spot of improvisation will adapt them to your own taste.

      Although the routes in this guide incorporate the most up-to-date Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping available at the time of publication, it is recommended that you also carry the relevant OS map sheets. You may also wish to carry a GPS as a further guide to navigation. Should you get lost or want to find railway stations, pubs, car parks or villages that are off the route, they will allow you to see the wider context.

      ROUTES AROUND GUILDFORD

      Sandy path on the Pilgrim’s Way at The Chantries by St Martha’s Hill (Route 2)

      ROUTE 1

      Puttenham Common loop

Start/Finish	Puttenham Common car park SU 921 461; or Guildford train station SU 992 496
Distance	18.5km (11½ miles); or 25.75km (16 miles)
On road	4km (2½ miles); or 7.25km (4½ miles)
Off road	14.5km (9 miles); or 18.5km (11½ miles)
Percentage off road	80%
Ascent	370m (1215ft); or 560m (1835ft)
Grade	Medium
Time	2hrs 30mins–3hrs; or 3–3hrs 30mins
Maps	OS Explorer 145 or Landranger 186
Pub	The Good Intent, Puttenham
Café	The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery, Down Lane near Compton

      Overview

      This compact route puts together a loop of the best off-road trails available in the area, using bridleways and byways along with narrow country lanes. Excellent sandy tracks are the order of the day, not least on Puttenham Common and along the North Downs Way (NDW). Navigation can be tricky on the wooded sections, so keep your eye on the ball.

      There’s relatively little climbing involved on the main route, the most significant being a 50-metre climb along the NDW to the north of Puttenham Common. However, the variant route from Guildford involves a steep 100-metre climb out of town to Henley Fort on the Hog’s Back, but this is mostly on tarmac. On the return, tree roots add an extra dimension to the steep climb up Sunnydown on a narrow path.

      In the maze of ‘jungle’ trails on Puttenham Common

      Directions

      1 Exit the car park at the SE corner of Puttenham Common and turn onto the road. Take the second signposted bridleway that sits on the right after 300m and enter the woods. Follow a narrow sandy path, which is overgrown with bracken ferns in summer, over a bridleway then turn at a second bridleway (not waymarked). Continue N along a sandy track, ignoring turnings to the left and right. Bear at a bridleway fork at the foot of a rise and climb steeply to a plateau at the top of the common. Continue (N) over a bridleway then over a second bridleway with waymarkers and descend along a narrow sandy path. The path delivers you to a with a house 100m to the left at Totford Hatch.

      Heather in blossom on Puttenham Common

      2 Turn along the NDW on a broad sand and stone-metalled byway track and continue steadily uphill. This excellent section of the NDW rises and falls a couple of times before rejoining tarmac at Lascombe Lane. At a T-junction with The Street, keep () and continue through Puttenham, passing the Good Intent pub and the church before arriving at a T-junction with the B3000. Turn (with care) and cross straight over the busy road to follow a path along the verge for 150m before turning onto a broad track road (North Downs Way).

      3 Continue to ride initially along the track through a golf links on Puttenham Heath then on a sandy path through woodland before emerging at a minor road. Turn and pass under two road bridges in succession and continue to a T-junction. Turn (Guildford) then turn onto a broad sandy track (NDW) by Watts Gallery. Climb a little and arrive at a bridleway after 1km and turn off the NDW.