Crew: Stunt & Shaun A proper two’s company, out on your own, sensible conversation (mostly) no nonsense ride 🙂
Route: BL, Chazza & Extension, Cat, Danebower Hollow, Chumby, Forest/resevoirs Smithy
Conditions: Not cold, very wet trails, windy
The afternoons heavily laden rain clouds parted as I set off from Tythy, and the sunshine brought out a rainbow for me to ride towards :-). Passing along BL without stopping onwards and upwards to rendevous with young Shaun at Charity Lane. It’s a steady plod along the pavements to Walker Barn, appreciating the shards of light illuminating the broody plains, vis very good as Heysham powerstation clearly visible sillouhetted on the horizon by the lowering sun. Sheep being attended to at the start of Chazza, and a couple of riders to pass the time with briefly will be the only beings we will meet on the ride from then on. Shaun arrives spot on time – Chazza wet but good, extension very good. Shaun rescues a puppy from eating windblown litter. Good company makes the climb from the stanley arms pass more quickly, but soon the wind is blowing hard and its slog slog to the cat – but warm enough not to need a windproof . Lots of standing water across the tops = muddy fronts :-). The Lad tweaks my suspension (not a euphemism 🙂 ! ) ahead of Chumby and it does make a difference. Torrents of water = bridge at the bottom (a second swim in as many weeks not on my agenda). Pub decision time, and we’ve not quite enough for the Kings Head, so its a quick swoop round the resevoir and into an almost deserted Smithy without the need for lights! Eventually a few more MTB reprobates trickle in, and its a cosy chatty atmosphere with a science facts theme – “Bull sharks can survive in fresh water”, SCRAM Jets, Carbon Frames deform sufficiently to be squeezed out of Thule bike rack locks without making a noise (see 13 bikes stolen from under sleeping campers noses shocker!). Finally a bit of route planning (disagreement?) on best way to Edale. 3PG.