Words by Eric
Crew; Stunt, Butty, Slim, Dunc, TJ, El Pres, Eric
In the pub; MrI, Dr Simon
Lame excuses; PtD – Whistler Bike Park
Route; BL, Sutton, Ridgehill, Hanging Gate, Plague Stone, Rose and Crown, Eagle and Child, Goldsitch Moss, Shawside, Roach End, Roach Grange, Tittesworth west side, Leek.
Conditions; Coats on and off before we even set off but then we somehow we managed to miss the heavy showers
Stats; None
Offs; None
Notes;
With the summer moving on and T’Tou’er now a distant memory it was time to risk being seen scantily trousered and on road bikes. Road bikes also seem to fit with the current outbreak of rather “sudden” shirts !
Not all our off road roots were forgotten though as we climbed up through Sutton it was every man for himself with no sign of a Peloton. The earlier heavy showers after a couple of dry weeks made the roads super slippery and descents required an element of caution. Over the Hanging Gate, past the Plague Stone and on the plunge to Greenways Bridge Eric met white van man, right shoulder dipped under van man’s door mirror, rear wheel locked and slightly sideways – meant to do that !
Resisting the temptation to call in on Luda at the very smart looking Rose and Crown we headed South to the badlands and out onto the Staffordshire Moorlands. Bleak on a good day but tonight we were treated to some fine evening views although stopping invoked the wrath of the six toed midges. El Pres had planned quite an epic route which required a little debate at the “this is not the main path” sign in order to keep the evenings social programme on track.
The pace quickened around the lesser trodden side of Tittesworth reservoir and we were soon in Leek at Den Engels to meet Mr I, the appointed social secretary for the evening and self styled “low countries a phile” and Dr S who just seemed to stroll along at the right time. Two exotic beers of your choice were quickly consumed although Mr I’s selection of flavoured Gin met mixed reviews. On y’re bike again for a bit of urban to the Bombsite Curry house. Whilst waiting for our table we were pleased to read in Curry News that our chef for the evening had come 50th in the world curry hall of fame or something. Whatever the accolade the food was grand although the Cobra was not Leffe. No time for pud or coffee as we rushed back to Den Engels for last orders.
Whilst elder statesmen did warn the youngsters, they had more beer before realizing that Leek is not Macclesfield. A motivated peloton set off and despite the miles spirits were maintained most of the way.
A good night, and morning!
