Words by Alex, Pics by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, TJ, Mr I, Stunt
Pub: El Pud, Dunc
Route: RB, Endon House, Lidgetts Lane, Back of Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank, Pott Shrigley, Gritstone Trail, Sponds Hill, Quarry Decent, Watersplash, Pott Shrigely, Poachers
Conditions: 17C & Dry!!
Stats: One off for El Pres, one Mudguard faff for Stunt
Notes:
BAU restored after the “boys are back in town” ..although some are instantly off for other travels!
So having done the “Gay Paris” banter pre ride, it was time to get organised and ride.
Slim declares a Northern Massive and Rainbow Bridge start, its an incredibly warm evening for the time of year, and first of the Summer Time rides, so also light 🙂
Summer gear is dusted off, pale flesh is exposed, layering condundrums of the good kind.
El Pres arrives bloodied but not battered as a regulation kerb mount goes awry and ends with unplanned spiky hedge contact!
The troll arrives just before we ring him to find out where he is!
Someone’s been playing with proper machinery on the track from the canal to the farm, digging a bigger pond (little lake?) in the LHS field, and also flailing the hedges.
Stunt gets a humungus thorn in his tyre – but luckily is tubeless…and Stans stuff does it’s job!
More suprises as the Endon House climb is being tarmac’d! Smooth riding now to the houses, before the washed out top track which is of course being left “natural”.
TJ on first name terms with lady runner (another satisfied lighting customer)
Back of Kerridge drying nicely – which does mean that the occasional muddy patch is hit at inappropriate speed..
The track to the Rainow road still a mudfest though.
Oakenbank fast (watch out for dogs!) and lights on at the end, mostly to “be seen” at this point.
Whilst Stunt applies more zip ties to rattly mudguard we discuss route..
TJ suggests going high to the Gritstone trail (just to prove he does know where he is some of the time!!)
Yup it’s a long slog, but on road we make good time, light at the top perfect for moody shots from Pete.
The doubletrack is pretty dry, and the 360 viewpoint at the top is worth the effort too (Sadly nothing to celebrate it with this time)
Big soft patches across to the trig point (more photos…does he think we are male models!!)
TJ leads us downhill – and almost astray on the hidden line of rocks…its softer and softer the lower we go, and line choice on the ups and downs of the rutted track are important.
Properly dark on the ground…but not in the sky because we can see so far West (a bit weird).
Quarry descent very good – grass is dry!!
Poachers for 9 and beat the nancies to the first food order 🙂
Donne or BGSips (or Pernoni!)
EL PUD HAS CYCLED TO THE PUB SHOCKER!!!
Tis good to have the prodigal returneth, and steer the conversation wayward…
Unusual world records (83 and 222) lead El Pres into a googling world from which he doesn’t really escape all evening!!
Dunc arrives having made Nancy aquiantences at Hit The North last weekend.
Axis of evil descends, Kwakery and a proper 6 whisky taste test (we all fail…more practice needed obvs!)
Still 14c past midnight…welcome as it is, likely that the weather gods are teasing.
Welcome to Summer Season (of the BST variety)
