It is hard to believe, but May 2026 marks exactly ten years since Marmalade MTB first headed out onto the trails. While our roots are firmly planted in the South Downs, the Marmalade story officially began as a business a decade ago in the Surrey Hills.

To mark this milestone, we are heading back to our ‘Day 1’ launch site for a big birthday bash. We have partnered with the Hurtwood Hideout in Holmbury St Mary to create a central event hub for the weekend.

The Riding We have designed a variety of guided rides to ensure there is something for everyone. On Friday, we will depart as one large group for a commemorative photo on top of Holmbury Hill before splitting into sub-groups. You can choose from a scenic cross-country (XC) and gravel loop, an intermediate Singletrack Adventure, or an advanced Trailblazer session. On Saturday, we will keep things relaxed with a social loop and a traditional pub lunch.

The Celebration Friday evening is all about the social side of cycling. We will be hosting a party at the Hideout featuring live music from our very own Jim Barrow and his band, plenty of birthday cake, and a few stories from the last ten years.

Important Information We’re arranging the riding and the venue. Food and drink at the Hurtwood Hideout (including Friday night pizza) is something you’ll pay for yourself. If you’re staying the night in the Surrey Hills, you’ll need to make these arrangements and payments. We have provided a list of local accommodation recommendations in the tabs below to help you plan your stay.

Select your preferred combination of riding and socialising from the booking options to secure your place.

Friday 8th May 2025

• 09:00: Arrival at the Hurtwood Hideout.

• 09:00 – 09:30: Welcome breakfast at the Hideout Cafe

• 10:00: Guided rides depart

• 16:00: Post-ride drinks at the Hideout

• 16:30 – 18:00: Downtime. Showers and changing facilities are available on-site for those not staying locally

• 18:00 onwards: Pizza and drinks from the Hurtwood Pizza Horsebox

• 19:00 – 19:30: Live music – set 1 (subject to license)

• 19:30 – 20:15: Speeches, cake, and fireside stories

• 20:15 – 21:00: Live music – set 2 (subject to license)

• 21:00 – 22:00: Further celebrations

Saturday 9th May 2025

• 09:00: Breakfast at the Hideout Cafe

• 10:00 – 12:30: Social morning ride

• 12:30 – 14:00: Farewell pub lunch in Holmbury St Mary

• 14:00: Event finish

Please note that timings are approximate and may be subject to adjustment based on trail conditions, weather, and group logistics on the day.

Friday 8th May

Ride One: Cross-country (XC) explorer

• Duration: 5 hours
  • With breaks for snacks and a lunch stop
• Distance: 25 mi | 40 km
• Elevation gain: 2,635 ft | 805
• Trail type: Natural bridleways and flowing singletrack
• Technical Grade: Advanced beginner (minimum)

This brilliant route will take in the beautiful commons and valleys of Leith Hill with it’s ancient bridleway network along with a dose of the best flow trails of Holmbury Hill.

Ride Two: The singletrack adventure

• Duration: 5 hours
  • With breaks for snacks and a lunch stop
• Distance: 23 mi | 37 km
• Elevation gain: 2,950 ft | 900m
• Trail type: Flow with blue to red graded feataures
• Technical Grade: Advanced beginner (minimum)

All the best flow trails across Holmbury and Pitch hills. We will enjoy the hidden woodland gems, the classics and the all important best way to knit them altogether.

Ride Three: The trailblazer

• Duration: 5 hours ride time
  • With breaks for snacks and a lunch stop
• Distance: 23 mi | 37 km
• Elevation gain: 3,600 ft | 1,100 m
• Trail type: Steeper, with red to black graded feataures such as drops and jumps
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Our classic Trailblazer that features the best exhilarating and more advanced trails of Winterfold Forest, Pitch and Holmbury Hills.

Saturday 9th May

XC and singletrack suitable for all!

• Duration: 2.5 hours
  • With breaks for snacks and a lunch stop at the end
• Distance: 15 mi | 24 km
• Elevation gain: 1,640 ft | 500
• Technical Grade: Advanced beginner (minimum)

For those staying over night and wanting to enjoy a shorter inclusive ride before going home, then this route will be a chilled route similar to Friday’s Ride 1, but still packed with big views and super fun trails. We will finish at a village pub in Holmbury St Mary for lunch before returning to the Hideout.

Our event hub will be at the fantastic Hurtwood Hideout on Holmbury Hill. This newly re-opened woodland retreat offers:

• Free parking: Convenient and ample space.
• On-site cafe: A tranquil woodland setting for those breakfast and lunch needs.
• Showers: Perfect for those not staying who want to freshen up for the evening party.
• Toilets: Readily available facilities.
• Bike shop: A convenient place for any last-minute needs or inspiration!

Camping and campervans:

• The Hurtwood Hideout (Holmbury St. Mary)
  • hurtwoodhideout@gmail.com
  • 01306 730777
• Etherley Farm (Leith Hill)
  • camping@etherleyfarm.co.uk
  • 01306 621500

Cottages and converted stables:

• Bulmer Farm (Holmbury St. Mary)
  • Enquiries@bulmerfarm.co.uk
  • 01306 731871
• Surrey Hills Holiday Cottages (CoverwoodFarm,  Peaslake)
  • holiday@surreyhillsholidaycottages.com
  • +44 (0)7974 674876

Village inn B&Bs:

• The Hurtwood Inn (Peaslake)
  • hurtwoodhotel@mail.com
  • 01306 730514
• The King’s Head (Holmbury St. Mary)
  • manager@thekingsheadhsm.com
  • 01306 735050

Hotel and spa:

• Wotton House (Abinger)
  • reception@wottonhousehotel.co.uk
  • 01306 730 000

E-bikes or manual mountain bikes are all welcome, whether you bring your own or hire from our friends at Just Pedal – Hurtwood.

The routes are traditional mountain bike rides. There will be fun bumpy descents, rooty forest trails and wide-open double tracks.

The rides can be enjoyed on a conventional or electric mountain bike. Choose the ride that is right for your level of experience and fitness, then bring your choice of machine. Marmalade rides have a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and e-bike riders who find themselves first up the hill are always patient and understanding of those relying on human-power alone.

Ensure your bike of choice is maintained and ready to ride, and please pack a spare mech hanger with your usual trail pack spares.

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order (bikes can be hired in advance)
• Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
• Personal choice of drink and ride snacks

Recommended:

• Gloves
• Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
• Backpack
• Spare inner tube
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire – this can be booked via the ‘Bike Hire‘ section
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Overnight accommodation
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Personal travel or accident Insurance

• This event is aimed at the regular beginner to advanced mountain bikers looking for a sociable and fun group ride
• To take part, you’ll need to be an active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 3 hours at a social and comfortable pace
• You will be confident in mountain bike handling skills on at least blue graded trails and profficient with operating your bicycle in the correct manner
• For Ride 1, 2 and Satruday’s route, the trails include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable steps – all of which can be easily ridden or avoided
• For Ride 3, certain trails will be steep in places which will require confident bike-handling skills. Some of which are not avoidable
• This ride may contain undulating trails – and in places, climbs that may be challenging
• This ride requires a suitable mountain bike (Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable)
  • See the ‘Bike Hire‘ section below if you need to hire a bike
• Riders should be aged 18 and over
• If this ride sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, please contact us and we’ll help you look at other options

This private area of Surrey is a special place, protected by the guardianship of a registered charity. Away from the public rights of way there is a vast network of unmarked mountain bike trails on private land. Through responsible and professional mountain bike leadership and coaching we are proud to be a supporting partner of Friends of the Hurtwood, with full permission to operate here.

How to book a bike:

1. From the system below select the dates to match the ride you have booked with us
2. Select the Full Day option for maximum contigency
3. Select Hurtwood Hostel from the ‘Pickup location’ dropdown menu
4. Select your choice of mountain bike
5. Choose the size of bike, based on your height
6. Go to checkout and complete the bike hire reservation for each rider

These fantastic bikes, and this booking system, are provided by our friends at Just Pedal – Hurtwood. If you have any questions or problems around booking your bike, just contact the Just Pedal team and they’ll help.