Crew: Coley & Stunt
Pub: Dunc & Nic
Route: BL, zig zags, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Lower Teggs, Smithy, reverse ressie, White Rabbit to Nessit, betweeen the downhill track, ressies, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Clear, Cold, Windy, still a lot of surface water.
Notes:
An elite pairing keep the flag flying for TNR whilst others indulge in the last of the winter sport madness!
Meanwhile its the first official spring ride, and its still light at 6:30, local boys entertain with 180’s practice on their stunt scooters 🙂
G threatens to grace us with his presence (but presumably is in shock at the UK temperatures)
A wave and a chat from Mrs P and also (amazingly)Â a wave from the Macc Wheelers who pass by on a club run!!
An unusual start as we take Blakelow road from Coley’s end.. as he forgot his shorts! 😮
Flippin steep that way, but it keeps us warm, and the views over the plain with a clear blue darkening sky..
Birds singing out of skeletal trees, the horizon still orange, and eastwards deep inky blue ushers in the first stars.
A night for riding and chatting and appreciating being out.
Early route thoughts of heading up to the Cat after charity lane are soon shelved as the wind – described by buxton weather as “lively” indeed is living up to expectation and the shelter of the sunken lanes are definitiely worth having.
Plan B now becomes “the long downhill” option of Chazza Narnia Hardingland and then another loop of the forest. It’s been done a lot lately, but that’s not a bad thing!
Chazza running pretty wet, dry line emerging through Narnia next to the mud, and Hardingland a mix of dry skittery rock next to slimy wet grass!
Recent rain means the Langley reservoirs are very full, creeping through the fence on the overflow between the two, and full width spillway action!
Unusual wind direction means its a tough climb to the Smithy into a severe headwind!!
Thankfully we are soon sheltered by the trees again – and if you closed your eyes you could imagine you were next to the sea as the wind gusts sound like waves on the shore.
Wildlife hunkered down, as no deer or birds to see tonight, we go the whole hog though and top out at Dan’s bench (where bikes are almost blown over). Having taken a moment, and admired the view, straight down and round the usual descents 🙂
We are good on time, but unanimous in having done enough to head straight for the pub!
A warm welcome at Sutton Hall, Lucan and Steak Sandwiches by candlelight 😉
Dunc and Nic arrive to keep us company, and liven up the conversation (well 2.5 hours of talking to each other is a lot of topics to keep coming up with!!).
Glenmorangie at £3.20 a bargain finish 🙂
Dunc and Nic race each other all the way home (they clearly need to ride longer pre pub!)
Next week THE LIGHT RETURNS!!