Words by Eric
Crew; El Pres, PtD, Butty, Coley, Stunt, Langley Joe, Slim, Eric
Lame excuses; Non submitted
Route; BL, Tea rooms, off road to the Cat, Danebower, sneaky descent and rocky stream approach to Cumberland Clough, Standing Stone, anticlockwise Back of the Moon, Standing Stone again, personal variations to the Leathers.
Conditions; Summer is almost here, perfect trails – if you missed it, it won’t get much better
Stats; None.
?
Offs; None.
Notes;
With no stats and no offs it sounds like rather a dull night; wrong dear reader. The group assembled at BL with the Buxton circuit in mind. Last to arrive was PtD with a different cunning plan; showing his true assertive leadership we still set off for the Cat but with a different objective.
After braving a couple of Fokkers buzzing the peloton, or were they Japanese zeros, certainly zero something, we all safely arrived at the top of the Tea Rooms. As we regrouped we were joined by Butty’s Tuesday mates. The secret is out, they are all XC whippets but they don’t go to the pub after a ride – no wonder the poor lad rides 7 miles on a Thursday just to start a ride with real cyclists !
As we set off across Danebower Joe started to question the wisdom of his Raggedy Pig bike choice, it was here some time ago that the Pig and Joe were almost lost in the snow.
Our brave leader showed bravery in cleaning the rocky river descent, well done Paul, and we all showed stupidity in trying in vain to follow – despite a surfeit of Oranges. Everyone reckoned to having had a fast decent of the Clough although the Riggly Blue Pig struggled on the bigger rocks; but if you bring a knife to a gunfight Joe !
Pressing onwards a variation on a theme was chosen with the Back of the Moon being tackled anticlockwise, all superbly rideable in the dry conditions. Pub time was approaching by the time we returned to Standing Stone so it was everyone for themselves down to the Leathers and Carol’s understanding hospitality. Pauls final act of leadership was to suggest a RHS descent – as the Aussies would say “good call”
It was just one of those nights when everything felt right ( two rounds of malt) and it was great to welcome Joe back to the fold – well one couldn’t Boo Radleys could one (ouch).