After a pre-ride bike and helmet check we headed off initially towards Coombe Hill and Dunsmore to route over towards Chequers. We managed to take in some great singletrack and fast descents around Dunsmore once everyone had recovered from the initial climb from Wendover up towards Dunsmore village itself. From here we took in some of Coombe Hills finest trails and headed towards Chequers connecting up with tracks to take us up the ridge towards Cadsden. Everyone enjoyed the fast technical singletrack trails heading round to the small car park at Cadsden. After a quick regroup we crossed the road and headed off towards Whiteleaf taking in various climbs and some fast trail sections. We deliberately missed using specific trails up to Whiteleaf Cross as to reduce the climbing as this route offered plenty of hard climbs both on the outward and return legs as was.

From the Whiteleaf area we headed out towards Lacey Green to pick up some superb singletrack around RAF Strike Command at Naphill before diving into Bradenham Woods to enjoy some more fast paced fire roads and tight twisty singletrack. Once at Bradenham Manor we took a sharp left and headed further into the dense Woodland to pick up trails down towards the railway line at West Wycombe. These trails are amazing natural singletrack but unfortunately are footpaths, it is impossible to completely link over to the Golden Ball without using at least one footpath, so we behaved, enjoyed the ride but prepared to give way to any walkers, luckily absent today. At various stages of the outbound leg were the first of four punctures!

Once over the railway line we had the final climb up to the Golden Ball where several members of the group final realised what the Golden Ball was and wandered round to check out the Church and Cemetery (Saint Lawrence's Church and Mausoleum). After lunch we headed back down the ridge to stop off at the local petrol station for water and supplies before finding the bridleway back up the Chiltern landscape towards Downley. This climb is horrible, not steep, but just goes on and on for what seems like eternity before finally popping out at Plomer Green Lane Cricket pitch.

After sorting a few (more) punctures and a chain tech fault we left Plomer Green and ventured back into the maze of trails that can be found in Bradenham woods, this time taking in the South side trails instead of the North side trails used on the outbound route. A slight mistake on my part (took the wrong split in the trail) gave us a slight detour, but everyone seemed happy for an extra half a mile of singletrack fun (phew got away with that one!). Once we were back on track we reappeared back at RAF Strike Command at Naphill before shooting along the road to Walters Ash and hanging a right out to Speen and Great Hampden. More singletrack and a couple of short climbs later we were at Hampden House and picked up the exciting singletrack back towards Whiteleaf and Cadsden again.

The final section of the route saw us pick up some of favourite trails back through Cadsden to get us back towards Chequers. After at least twelve punctures throughout the day we were running a good hour or two behind, and with a few tired faces (and legs) we chose to shoot up to Coombe Hill monument on the road before taking in the superb Ridgeway gulley run descent back down to Wendover to pack up for the day.

Back at the car park we totted up the total number of punctures, we got to twelve and possibly could have added another one, or two, or three to the list too...

A big thank you to everyone who attended and made this months group ride another huge success. A superb group and was great to see so many regulars and new faces and to have such a large turn out. Thank you also to the group of guys from Harrold MTB Club who traveled over to join us for the days ride.

Best Wishes
Scott | BucksMTB

Photos:

A photo gallery of some shots from this Group Ride can be found in our online gallery here , or you can view them on our Facebook page here

The Route:

Downloadable GPS route data and a downloadable PDF map of this route is to follow shortly.

The main aim of the BucksMTB club is to have fun and to enjoy and promote our sport. We have a range of regular rides suitable for reasonably fit novices through to serious racers. We also hold Club Trips throughout the UK. The best way to find out about the club is to join us on one of our regular Group Rides. You don't need to pay up and join straight away, we welcome you to ride with us up to three times at our regular Group Rides and see if you like us first. Of course, an existing member can recommend you to BucksMTB membership at any time.