Crew: El pres, Slim, Dr S, 3Sheds and (our esteemed host ) Mr I
Route: Chez Incroyables – Cloud Trig Point – Dane Valley Way – Congleton Edge – Chez Incroyables
Stats : No Offs , Minor Puncture Faff (Slim)
Conditions : Cool and blowy, but never seriously damp
Notes:
A select group of guests forge their way through a damp , blowy and murky evening to locate the mythical Mellor Manor in darkest Biddulphdom. But no Banjos could be heard.
We had a small amount of trouble guiding 3sheds to the secret Mellor lair, but soon after 7pm we set off in search of Staffordshire Moorlands fun.
Bosley Cloud was our first objective. The view was good but it was definitely too exposed to the wilds of the November night.
We turned tail and headed south towards Timbersbrook , soaking up the fun of rocky and root single track . Funsville was ramped up a gear as we found that the root single track woodyness has been developed with cheeky but exciting shutes down to be Gooseberryhole Lane
Check out this for a better idea of what fun can be had : http://youtu.be/eL8dRAjyU4c
Brown Edge was avoided, but a brief sortie along Congleton Edge had us grinning madly again before we dropped to the right down a tunnel like leafy/muddy/rocky bridleway and chased errant young cows .
Slim then had the great delight of fixing a puncture on the rear wheel of the muddiest ever Orange Five this side of Christendom .
A tough climb back to Hot Lane and Mellor Manor …but the hospitality made it all worth while.
A seemingly endless flow of Belgian beer and craft lagers ….Xmas Soup , Middle eastern style lamb, chicken or aubergine Pittas ..then some wonderful cake-age ….plus Led Zeppelin on the Home Cinema .
Alas 3 sheds and Dr S had to depart near the witching hour…but El Presidente, Slim and the Minstrel Troll made merry until the early hours.
We are endebted to Ruth and Phil for a brilliant and entertaining evening .
