Words by Eric, Pics by Pete
Crew;
A Team; El Pres, Butty, Slim, PtD, Eric.
Another Team; Dunc, Big Nick
Route; BL, Buxton Old Road, Tea Room, Cat track, Danebower, RH option, Cumberland Brook, Standing Stone, LH option, Sutton Hall.
Conditions; At last – not raining!
Stats; El Pres; puncture
Offs; Miraculously non
With the first snows of winter lying in the hills the decision was “southwards and up” for some festive fun. Everything on the climb was toasty warm until the moment you stop. We regrouped in the lee of Stakeside before heading out into the teeth of the gale over the hill to the Cat. The first snow was encountered here and as the snowy climb was contemplated there were a few envious glances cast at Butty’s tyres “of size” (can’t say fat). However it was surprisingly grippy even with normal skins, that’s the uphill part, the downhill was just sheet ice.
Across the road to Danebower and the fun really started. Everything was OK if the snow under-wheel was making those reassuring crunching noises; but when it all went quiet it was time to keep a straight line and fingers off the brakes until you’re off the ice and back on the crunchy stuff. At least the Ice Road Truckers have 18 wheels to keep them upright. To make things a bit more interesting someone had ridden along the track before everything had frozen solid and left a deep death rut which once in, you were committed to following to wherever it lead!
Having survived as far as the gate without incident it was time to get crazy and head off piste. So it was seats down and follow Butty and PtD; initial misgivings about the wisdom of our actions soon giving way to whoops and hollers.
Riding in the icy river flowing down the middle of Cumberland Brook gave everyone a welcome respite from the snow and ice, and a wet rear. The chill was starting to get to folks as we regrouped in Wildboarclough so El President’s declaration of a puncture was not greeted with great joy but as the mechanics get to work PtD opened the bar and Whisky Macs all round soon restored the team’s morale. Now that is leadership.
It was then back over Standing Stone and free route choice to Sutton Hall. The weather had the last laugh with those opting for the easy “road option” encountering black ice on the descent – fun.
