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| TNR 13-03-2014 |
Words and Photo by Alex
Mad Axe Men: PTD, G, Butty, El Pres, Stunt
Also Riding: 3 Sheds, Croxy
Pub: Slim, Lee
Route: BL, New Road, Chazza, Extension, Cat, Axe Edge, Cross the Moor to Haws 3 Shires, Cut Thorne, Chumby, Standing Stone, Singletrack by the Shutlingsloe gate, Kirsten Munt descent, singletrack & rezzies, Sutton Hall (B riders did Danebower hollow & Chumby)
Conditions: Clear skies, almost no wind, dry trails and pockets of cold air (thick fog in Macc post pub)
Stats: PTD punctures again
Notes:
The weather comes good for PTD’s ambitious plan for Axe Edge…and for Croxy to ride 😉
Butty arrives with Green Blood and Stunt with Red Face, Butty because rebuilding a bike is easier than replacing bearings in a hope hub!?, Stunt because he was in a rush to make it.
Kershaw rules are applied
Decision to do Chazza to break up the climb and give anyone who wanted a gentler pace to the Cat suits all, but the 8 minute (according to G) difference extends to nearer 15 as PTD punctures yet again on chazza (more air pressure maybe?). However he dazzles us with his slick tyre changing technique.
Extension very skittery – and dry rocks are the theme of the night.
Regroup at the Cat, only to diverge into A (for Axe) and B (for daneBower) teams
A team blast down the road and then onto the moor – in time to see B team lights coming across Danebower.
Dry fast dusty and loose, El Pres has a dab but survives! 3 Shires is reached very rapidly. Majority decision to avoid the muddy field, so a dry and skitterish Cut Thorne is a decent challenge (apart from G & PTD who give it a very good go!). Setting the dogs off at the top, and steaming profusely its on and up to Chumby.
The big hole on Chumby is even bigger! and a strange muddy stripe all along the right hand side from below the gate.
Tired tired legs up to standing stone, and a final fling around the forest to enjoy fun singletrack and descents.
Sutton Hall by 9:30 hundred hours a spiffing good effort (not sure the rest of the clientele were as impressed with our aroma)
Oracle & Lucan for the masses, a dodgy Leffe would stike down butty the next day, and then some fresh clothing & hearty meals. Welcome appearances from Slim (on the mend) and Lee. Dan Bike stickers issued!
Foggy rides home