words by Stunt, pics by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Coley, Stunt, Mr I…..and El Pud!
Pub: Dunc
Route: BL, zig zags, walker barn, Chazza, extension, Cat, bottom-o-t-oven, Standing stone, rezzies, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Mild & Dry
Notes:
El Pres fills the leadership vacuum with a proposed classic route – Chazza, Cat, 3 Shires & Chumby!
In parallel, a sustained trolling appears to have persuaded El Pud to join us…only he’s running late.
Compromise is he rides to the cat on the road whilst we take the fun route 🙂
Mr I shows off new yeti rear end – with redesigned all alu lower half (Carbon not up to the job it seems!). Taking bets on what goes next (not much of the original now left apart from the main frame)
Warm climbing, but not buggy, with El Pres setting the pace.
Chazza superdry, also loose, fast and skittish – just like the extension then!!
Wild boar (or at least very boar like dark hairy pigs) being reared in the paddock up from the Stanley (lets hope they don’t escape!)
A familiar figure digging posh new planters at the Cat…it’s Mrs T…now part of the Cat outdoor experiences crew and general helper outer. We are invited inside for a swift half before the imminent closing time of 8pm “it’s more of a cafe these days”
Cumberland Ale on draft and the earliest lock in ever! which is extended to a few hardy souls and Mr T eventually. We hear the stories behind the Canoe Rack (prompts a lot of enquiries), and the red radio controlled glider suspended upside down on the ceiling (waiting to be claimed)
A half has become two pints for most, and without noticing time has run out! No time for the grand route, just a dash back & over the forest to get to Sutton Hall in time for food.
El Pres & Mr I fight it out to be at the bar first (a tie?) happy valley, leffe, grub and raucus conversation. A proper TNR albeit slightly slack. 5PB for many (but then the first two don’t count if there has been a ride inbetween?)