Crew: Butty, El Pres, G, Coley, Slim, Mr I, Stunt
Pub: Dunc
Route: Rainbow Bridge, Canal, Clarke Lane/Oak Lane, Climb at the War Memorial but Left Turn at the Hall, back across Oak lane to Tinkers Clough, Middlewood way briefly, over the Canal and back, back up to the Bulls Head. Under White Nancy, along the back of Kerridge Ridge, double back up the grassy diagonal climb to the Trig point, down the main track towards Lidgetts lane, double back along the ridge and out near the former Rising Sun, Road to Robin Hood, Oakenbank Lane, Pott Shrigley, Brickworks, Long Lane, Beeston Mount, Snicket, Poachers
Conditions: Rain at first but dry later… a bit like Belgium apparently.
Stats: One Butty off
Notes: A northern contingent takeover means a rainbow bridge start for another Butty special. RoutenFurhers get to lead in ways that suit their whims which this week is slackness ( it is only later that he shares his epic Sunday ride). Luckily this suits all (even G!) especially with 2 cunning mid ride pub stops (Super slack!). It may be slack, but it sure ain’t straight as we weave a tortuous line around Kerridge and flirt with the canal a couple of times ..one got pretty close for Slim! 😉 before a timely visit to the Bulls Head (as the rain got harder..probably in response to Mr I’s assertion that it wasn’t proper rain!) Petite Brazilian Blondes are consumed with salty snacks in the beer garden (its packed in the bar!) and tempting as it is to stay its off again to get some token climbing in and do Kerridge the wrong way round. Beer sitting uncomfortably on the slippery grassy ascent, and nervous lines to the top to gunfire and the sound of projectiles hitting nearby! Relax its only the rifle range in the quarry below 🙂 Finally some off road descending (which does for Slim’s new Mudhugger fixings) a bit of slip and slide down to the road. Robin Hood is closed!!!! (only until tomorrow), so after Oakenbank (the right way) as gratuitous road loop is thrown in before we arrive at the Poachers in the light!
Some things never change in a former spiritual home, although no Landlord, but Beartown is good, and the world beer selection is highly impressive..with several Belgian beers…and even four proper Kwak drinking vessels complete with wooden holders! A book on 100 Belgian beers to drink before you die (dying not compulsory) and mayonnaise available as a frite condiment. Plenty of catching up and reminiscing, and exploration of more exotic beers…Icelandic Pale Ale anyone? White and Brun Leffe and not even the more than slightly shocking bill is enough to dampen the spirits as a good old axis of evil sets in just like days of yore, or in this case Abelour 😉
Why go to Belgium when you can enjoy rubbish weather and great beer on your doorstep! Bolly Brilliant 🙂