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| From WNR 14-03-2012 Crossers |
Crew: Slim & Stunt
Route: Tythy, Bollin Valley, Withinlee lane , Swiss Hill, Edge, Owl track/artists lane, Bradford/Hocker, Legh Arms
Conditions: Clear & cool, but pretty dry trails
Yorkshire north shore wheel dinks & brake pad wear = cross bikes as plan B becomes plan A.
Are crossers a subconscious return to our early MTB roots? – narrow tyres & rigid suspension, and for the heck of it some relatively low lumens too. Riding as pair we startle a few ninja dog walkers by the bollin, feel the darkess more, hear much owl hooting and settle in to wide ranging conversation 🙂 En route to Alderley Edge the still cold air brings to ground level aromas of frying onions, woodsmoke and septic tanks!
Slim mentions the lack of ascent in his new urban commuter lifestyle – so Swiss hill remedies that! Cobbles are dry, but even with compact doubles its out of the saddle time, and a relief to get to smoother surfaces. Cold fingers now warmed from the inside we criss cross the edge – and explore the limits of grip, suprisingly good in mud, rather rubbish on roots, and there is a fair bit of meandering to find lines suitable for our steeds. Bradford lane requires good concentration and the assist brake position for maximum control! Planet spotting on Hocker lane (Slim wishes for an SLR) and then off to the Legh arms,where its under European occupation as the Milanese barman and Eastern European waitress are busy serving a rather full hostelry (only one “goose” step from Allo Allo :-)). Mild is the wrong answer so we cross over to Guiness to wash down the Fish & Chips. After putting the world to rights an “Alliance of Temperance” has us on our way before last orders to find it king cold on the way home! Eric is right two is a good number, it’s not about the bike, and mario andretti would have gone faster!