THIS IS A TOUGHIE? SURREY HILLS

[@anthonyR13]

Nice bit of hill work and nice weather to boot. Coombe hill descent is truly a pleasure to behold. I guess shaving the legs is down to individual choice. Live and let live eh? I used to hang around with a group who all had shaved legs, so I kind of went with it as I didn't want to stand out. No regrets though, I'd never change back to hairy legs. Nice touch with the waving after a decent car pass. I started doing that a while back and it carries well. It does get noticed as most drivers will look back at you in their mirrors, and some even flash the hazards in acknowledgement of your thanks. A little goes a long way... Good video mate 👍😎

[@therookiecyclist]

Thank you Anthony, I love the Coombe descent too, just that first corner you need to be careful on. I’m having a think about the hair removal but I’m attached to the hair 😂😂 Always try and acknowledge a driver when they’ve been patient or careful you’re right it does go a long way. Like you said it doesn’t hurt and makes them question the idea that we’re all selfish, self entitled people at least right? Thanks for watching man ✌️✌️✌️

[@anthonyR13]

@@therookiecyclist And if it means one less close pass, then I'm all for that! Have a good weekend pal, whether on the bike or not 😎👍

[@lewisA76]

Hi Ben, after watching this when you first uploaded. I finally made it over to Surrey with the Bike. Didn't climb staple, but went up Shere Hill, Down staple, up Newlands ,(cup of tea at the top) and then climbed Combe. Will definitely be coming back over again. 👍🏻

[@therookiecyclist]

Excellent 👌 when you’re over next let me know I’d be happy to have a ride out 🤟🤟🤟

[@lewisA76]

@@therookiecyclist for sure. 👍🏻

[@fabientownsend]

Great video! I started cycling few weeks ago and just moved around that area recently! I'm 20 minutes away from Newland's Corner, so may try to pop around as I'm carefully exploring the area!

[@therookiecyclist]

That’s great Fabien, you have some lovely riding on your doorstep!! You have to head up there….and down 💪 good luck and thanks for watching 👍✌️

[@ckoutdoors2287]

Excellent video watching you do the local hills, Newlands is a great decent, I hate Coombe, Staples is a good workout & should be on your list, as for shaving my legs, it wouldn't make any difference to my speed🤣 Cliff

[@therookiecyclist]

Nice one Cliff!! I think if Coombe comes near the end of the journey it can be killer but always feels good when you get to the top!! Yeah I don’t think shaving will help with my speed either 😂😂 Cheers Cliff ✌️✌️

[@Itchypaulsak]

Great video as always it’s about time for a change in the weather good to have the bib shorts and short sleeve tops out this week it’s only took 4 months to get decent weather nothing better than just getting up on a morning sun shining and just getting out on the bike

[@therookiecyclist]

Thank you 🙏 Totally agree you’re bang on. When it’s dry and the sun’s out the UK comes into it’s own too, if only for a little while 😉✌️

[@charliecook6909]

New to the channel , nice chilled content 👌 You should come over tonthe chiltern hills , theres some epic climbs here , not long but oh my there steep , shaved legs not for cycling just as i dont like be a hairy beast , you dry quicker out the shower too 🤣🤣

[@therookiecyclist]

Nice one Charlie 👍 I’ll be heading to the Chiltens soon actually, looking forward to that!! Drying quicker out of the shower isn’t a bad shout actually haha, thanks for watching mate 👍🙏

[@km09876-t]

I got my top speed going down from Newlnads Corner during Ride London about 10 years ago. Touched 80kph according to my Garmin.

[@therookiecyclist]

Christ, I thought I was quick haha, that’s brilliant 👏 I’m going to have to try and set a new speed now haha, cheers Keith ✌️

[@velocityfpv5231]

just leave all the tech at home other than a phone and enjoy the rides :) I don't even record distance any more. I find it so much nicer riding no statistics and maybe just some tunes

[@therookiecyclist]

This is refreshing, getting back to why we actually cycle in the first place. Good shout ✌️✌️

[@mrewers2316]

Great video. Love riding Surrey Hills. Need to get back there soon. Did Newlands when it was in Ride London. You're right about the descent. So fast and smooth. Enjoy the weather 😊

[@therookiecyclist]

Thank you man 🙏 So nice isn’t it, I didn’t even realise it was in Ride London that’s cool!! As long as the sun is shining 😎 I’m happy Mr Ewers, enjoy ✌️✌️✌️

[@BillFalck]

Great video. As you mention, never forget the JOY!

[@therookiecyclist]

Nice one Bill, we often do don’t we? I’m all about enjoying it mate, that and the coffee and cakes 😁✌️

[@mikehickman08]

Love a joy ride! 🎉

[@therookiecyclist]

Too right!!! Plenty of those after Fred and Girona Mike hahaha 👍👍

[@ManPowered]

You were literally on my doorstep that day 😅. You’d be surprised that legs only need shaving once a week and it doesn’t take long. I guarantee if you try it the leg hair will bug you when it grows back 🤣

[@therookiecyclist]

Very nice part of the world, I’m very near but sounds like you’re nearer haha!! This is what I’m worried about, once you start you can’t stop hahaha ✌️✌️

[@ManPowered]

@@therookiecyclist about a 6 min ride to Newlands 😁

[@therookiecyclist]

Amazing!! Love that ✌️✌️✌️

[@JSC131]

Great content as usual Ben you got shave your legs extra watts lol. Love Surrey, UK cycling sportive was there today at Cranleigh but couldnt get to ride due to commitments some really short sharp climbs there pretty tough fair play great effort.

[@therookiecyclist]

Thanks Jeff 🙏 I did see that sportive actually I was going to partake but I too had family commitments!! Was a great ride out that, few hills but all good 👍 cheers mate

[@AdyWalter]

I too am hairy - NO WAY i'm shaving my legs!! If was a semi pro and could see some tangible gains then maybe. But i'm just an 85kg (ish!) bloke who likes riding my bike. Nice touch thanking the drivers too, I also do that as they are passing when I know they've been patiently waiting to do so safely. Leith Hill was a killer when I did it on the 2017 Ride London.

[@therookiecyclist]

I think I’m in the same camp as you for the minute Ady haha. I always try to thank drivers when they’ve been patient, also makes them realise that not all cyclists are rude etc. Yeah Leith, particularly when you’ve been on a long one, can be a killer particularly near the end haha. Cheers Ady 🙏✌️

[@lewisA76]

Just back from a ride in very flat Essex, but what an evening. Putting in the winter miles and hours on zwift are worth it for the rides I've had this week. Like you said never forget why we ride. Good for the mind, body and soul. Great footage mate. Enjoying your cycling story.

[@therookiecyclist]

Nice one Lewis, so lovely out there at the minute isn’t it!! I’m over your way soon to tackle the hills in Essex so I’ll have to get some advice. Thanks for watching mate 🙏✌️

[@lewisA76]

Let me know when and where and I'll send you some nice traffic free routes to you.

[@therookiecyclist]

Ok so when in Essex I need to hit Mott street, Old Church Hill and North Hill. ✌️

[@lewisA76]

Old church and north hill are my 2 closest. Old church- make sure a very dry day. Road surface isn't great and does flood quite easily. North Hill- is a main road so try and do early morning to limit traffic. Matt st- is a favourite and there are other punchy little hills all in that Loughton area. Do Lippets Lane also. Not a tough climb but the views are lovely. Anything else I can help with let me know

[@mallardzoom2890]

Great ride on some great lanes! I know that area pretty well but it seems much quieter during the week. Coombe Lane is often the last proper climb of the day on my longer rides, taking me back over the Downs and I usually get quite euphoric after giving it my all on that last steep section. One last refuel/pee break at the top of Staple Lane, then it's mostly downhill, fast and effortless all the way to Cobham before the final push along Portsmouth Road back to West London, love it! I did the Newlands descent after you recommended it in one of your earlier videos, it's a brilliant descent, love that smooth tarmac, is that what it's like to cycle in Europe?! I've actually come up with a mini challenge of my own related to Simon's book. I'm not going to do all the climbs in the SE, but I might try all the climbs he has in Surrey on one ride! Came up with what looks like a decent route with almost no backtracking, once you're in the downs it's 9 official hills, 100km & 1700m of elevation (170km & 2000m for the complete route), which doesn't seem too terrible, but I imagine the repeated steep sections will really destroy your legs. Chalkpit is the second to last climb... I doubt I'll manage it this year but you never know... If you're feeling masochistic I can send you the gpx!

[@therookiecyclist]

That’s pretty much the same route as me Mallard, lovely just hammering it back down staple and down to Cobham. Sometimes I’ll have a cheeky little stop at Giro in Esher too if I’ve not fuelled enough haha. Love the Newlands Descent, I’ve not ridden abroad loads but from where I have yes, very very similar. Smoother roads and calmer drivers too!! My god that sounds epic!!! Not sure how I feel finishing up at chalkpit though haha. I have his book, Ride Britain, where he covers around 6 of the climbs a little like the Octopus ride and have a gpx for that which looks a great ride! Send away though will be interesting to have a look and maybe, just maybe give it a go 😂😂 Thanks for watching as always mate 🙏

[@mallardzoom2890]

@@therookiecyclist I posted the link in an earlier comment but youtube has probably put it in a spam folder or something.

[@raybraydh2956]

wasted many hours sitting in the tearoom by the road at Newlands happy days , Coombe was a lovely climb when i was young not sure i would enjoy it now 🤣🤣 great video hopefully get out more now the weather is cheering up

[@therookiecyclist]

I can understand that Ray, I could sit at Newlands all day to be fair haha. You know what it is a lovely climb actually, as long as you save yourself for the last bend you’d be fine I’m sure 👌 cheers Ray ✌️

[@stuarthart4498]

How is the new cockpit Ben? Looks great... My Wife has said 'Shaved Legs = Divorce!'

[@therookiecyclist]

Thanks Stuart, really really nice actually, allows for more control and speed. Love them!! No shaved legs for you then 😂😂😂😂

[@Velo_add74238]

No way of shaving my legs 😂😂. How u finding the new bars?

[@therookiecyclist]

😂😂😂 New bars are 👌👌👌 You’ll find out yourself soon haha

[@otopeixe]

Hello. Greetings from Portugal. What model is ypur bike?

[@therookiecyclist]

Hi Miguel, welcome 🙏 my bike is the Emonda sl6 pro 2021 but I’ve upgraded to di2 and integrated carbon bar and stem too. Hope that helps ✌️

[@aidanbailey-lewis3209]

Nope, don’t see the point of shaving my legs. I’m not a pro cyclist after all.

[@therookiecyclist]

My thinking too although the cleaning/dressing of legs if shaved, is made easier should we crash which gave me food for thought. Still like my hair my legs though hahaha

[@willhopewell]

Shaving your legs if you're a hobbyist is just embarrassing imo 😂 Theres a lot of "fine margin" things cyclists obsess over that are just pointless to me, bike weight, watts, no gravel bikes on the road etc etc etc. I dont even think clippless is necessary on certain rides or Jersey's... Bib shorts though not negotiable

[@therookiecyclist]

My sentiments on the legs for sure, although I did hear a good argument for cleaning and dressing wounds regarding hair v non hair. I also agree on all the stats. I do like to be clipped in though and bibs…….a must for sure!! Thanks for watching Will 🙏👍