Crew: El Pres, PTD, Butty, TJ, G, Mr I, Eric, Stunt
Route: BL, Old Road, Charity Lane, Bottom of the Oven, Tea Rooms, Cat, Danebower Hollow, Cutting the corner to Cumberland Brook, Standing Stone, Nessit Hill, Reservoirs, Sutton Hall
Conditions: Bright Skies, mild with a cool breeze higher up. Lots of water on the trails
Stats: Rear tyre burping from Butty
Notes: Better weather on a Thursday night, but fingers are firmly crossed for St Swithins day as its been a poor “summer” so far.
Annoyingly it is also bringing out the other Bikers, as the high pitched high revs are dopplering in the distance as route is discussed. Go high because we can, avoid new road as much as poss!
It has also triggered some “bright” clothing, Butty with dayglo orange shorts, TJ (fluoro as usual), and Stunt with the Jellybean top. PTD on the kermit five goes ninja black, and Mr I ignores fashion for the good old faded green sweatshirt!
G does his usual of being at the front and taking an alternative route – but only succeeds in giving himself a nice off road uphill challenge on the bridleway to windyways just to stay with the bunch.
Good views from the start of Charity – Shropshire hills clearly visible
Lots of running water on the downhill, and a salvage rear mudguard almost causes carnage by distracting butty at a critical moment on the extension. TJ gathers it whilst butty sorts his tyre out.
A strung out peloton means the early arrivers above the tea rooms get to watch the motorised brigade. The lotus super 7 was the best “bike” in our humble opinion.
Windproofs on, and plenty of comments for TJ’s latest see through aldi effort (mainly though we are just jealous of his chiselled torso which it shows off nicely!)
No time for a cheeky loop into the Goyt so straight up to the Cat and turn right.
No short eared owls spotted across the moors, one dead sheep on the short cut.
Lumpy and wet down Chumby, and butty Burps his tyre again getting air off the grassy jump after the gate.
Work all finished on the quiet lane to standing stone, and time for a full Nessit.
Quick stop at Dans bench, and a few lights on as its getting dark under the trees.
Someone’s been busy with chainsaws and a big digger – forest trails getting overly tamed?
The beer is calling, although G peels off as he’s being good!
Ursula Minor wins the battle of the pale ales, with Homeless lager making a few converts!
Mr I starts with a G&T (with it being summer and all!)
We finish with a special offer Whisky.
Mostly home before the witching hour!