words by Alex, pics by Pete
Crew: El Pres, PTD, 3 Sheds, Coley, Slim, Butty, Stunt
Pub: G & El Pud (at the last)
Route: BL, New Road, Cat n Fiddle, Danebower Hollow, Cumberland Clough, Standing Stone, LHS, Rezzies, Sutton Hall
Conditions: Cold, Hill fog higher up, Rain post pub
Stats: One Mechanical (PTD)
Notes:
This week no wind and rain at BL, so a return to “High” after what feels like weeks hunkering down in the forest in miserable conditions.
Butty shows off his Black Friday beast – which is actually purple, and the first 29+ semi fat (plumper?) bike in the collective. Top of the tyres level with the fork crown of a 26er!
Steady chat on the way to the cat, although we soon encounter some wind then hill fog and low temperatures to boot, one of the “more of a slog” ascents.
Visibility down to less than 10ft across Danebower, trail as wet as you will ever see it “Interesting” crossing.
Cumberland Clough in good condition but the recent downpours have left big rocks all over the place – one such takes out PTD’s rear mech, thankfully we are out of the fog and wind, team effort to untangle the mess, diagnose sheared mech hanger, and fit universal replacement. Don’t ask 3 sheds to hold your tools!
Impressive waterfall at the gate, we celebrate with Monkey Gland – which looks like the muddy puddles we have been riding through, tastes strongly of aniseed (nostril clearingly so) and is strong enough to make the probability of ending up face first in said puddles all too likely!
Cumberland Brook is wet, although the ford is very fordable (although slim did end up with a wet leg)
Time to warm up along Wildboarclough and up to standing stone (with some pushing from PTD on his “get me home” hanger).
No time for forest furtling, so quick blast down the LHS (big drop off at the top now) and around the reservoirs to Sutton Hall (apart from PTD, and then 3 Sheds nursing a slow puncture)
Merlin’s the beer of choice, and leather chairs in front of the fire to warm up.
Much to talk about this week with the upcoming WAG’s do, tales of the long mynd, and catching up with mr lifetime lube coley. G appears with news that crime might not pay – but does get you on tv (not G!!). El Pud teases, and eventually appears after last orders, and after Pete has gone home!
Having had an extra beer than planned we exit pub to immediate cold and heavy rain!