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| From TNR 09-02-12 Icescapade |
Crew: El Pres, Dan, Nic, Shaun, Slim, Butty, Stunt, Doog
Route: BL, Old Road, Teggs, Smithy, reservoir, Hanging gate, Fourways, Ryles Arms
Conditions: Freezing rain on rotted ice, roads icing over higher up, nasty
Stats: 1 Lighting failure (Doog), 1 off (Butty), 1 fat bike, 8 pairs of frozen fingers, 1 pair of warm toes.
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| From TNR 09-02-12 Icescapade |
Notes:
The Pugsley finally appears ..together with the biggest puncture repair kit in the world đ
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| From TNR 09-02-12 Icescapade |
Despite the weather we opt to attempt Danâs Croker hill plan
Teggs rideable with care, reservoir track a push on the steeper sections, then as we climbed up past the hanging gate the dreaded tinkly sound of ice forming under us beganâŚ
Slim wishes for fresh rubber, Doogs primary lighting cuts out and he has to bail.
We enter a misty world of strange beauty ..ice coated fences, hedges and walls ..offset by the utter concentration on staying uprightâŚriding slow but not too slow, minimal direction change and downslopes negotiated by foot dragging rather than braking .. and we are getting cold fast  in the freezing wind and rain.
We abandon the plan at the A54, out of time, out of fear, out of mojo đ
G&Tâs are invoked in a field entrance with shaking hands and shivering limbs
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| From TNR 09-02-12 Icescapade |
A wet -1 extracts heat way faster than a dry -10 and it seems that waterproof gloves are a technology still to be mastered đ
Ryles arms â new menu :-), lots of radiators & fires :-), Black Sheep :-), extra chips on the house :-), special offer on Glenmorangie :-)!!! We slip into Axis behaviour before braving damp gloves and chattering teeth to ride carefully home.
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| From TNR 09-02-12 Icescapade |
BTW corrie fans will spot the Ryles Arms on friday 17th!