Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pud, El Pres, Slim, Butty, TJ, Troll, Stunt
Route: Rainbow bridge, Endon House Climb, Lidgetts Lane, Bull Hill Lane, Tea Rooms, Shining Tor, Descent to Hoolihey Lane, Dead Man’s Hill, Blaze Hill, Lima Clough, Oakenbank, Poachers Snicket, Crown Inn
Conditions: Dry, Cold wind higher up.
Stats: Puncture (Phil M)
Notes:
“God is in his Heaven” as El Pud returns and immediately takes charge of route and logistics.
Food ordered ahead at a novel establishment, drinks and glasses organised, route planned!
Prompt gathering at the start (apart from Slim who had no excuses to be late this week!)
Much chatting and catching up on the various uphills to the tea rooms…
Buzzards soaring on the ridge lift, low evening light illuminating the landscape beautifully, setting off the clouds nicely.
Another group of mountain bikers at the top of Bull hill move off just before our leaders get there, they then head up Charity.
Sheep rescued from fence by El Pres and the Troll (we wondered why a car was stopped on the road)
At the top of the tea rooms climb we turn into the WNorWest breeze (which has mostly assisted us so far)
Flippin ‘eck it’s strong and cold…faces feel numb, layers are rapidly applied.
Hunkering down behind a wall (may not have been the right side of it though!) El Pud attempts to warm us with Rusty Nails, and Butty feeds us rocky road 🙂
Limited effect..time to head down hill fast!
Soft in places but mainly dry, grip is good, final descents into the Swampy section are excellent.
How much warmer it feels low down out of the wind!!!
Time demands roads back (Lamaload will have to wait for another time), passing more (the same??) riders coming up from the Highwayman!
Ninja mode down Lima Clough and a second stop for TJ Brandy at a bench by a stream.
Only now does the Troll discover that
a) he had managed to lose/break a key part of his rear light
b) flat rear tyre
Group splits as an A team selflessly(!) head to the pub to secure the food, whilst B team help with repairs.
New Pub territory, it’s quiz night and we’ve missed the first four rounds, B team arrive just in time for the food to come out….Pizza’s win!! vs the Burgers…although the burger boys have the last laugh as Pizza beats all appetites and they helpfully consume the left overs.
Much banter, talk of the whisky trip (has this been a cunning training ride by El Pud?)
Slim negotiates 3 doubles with discount and 6 glasses to finish with 🙂