Words and Photos by Butty
Crew: Butty, TJ, Coley, El Pres, The Ballster.
Pub: Well-oiled Stunt & Salad.
Route: Bolly Viaduct, Birchencliffe brick works, Dale top, Bowstones, KnightsLow wood, Lyme Cage, Red/Green Lane, Bowstones x2, Beaver creek, Poachers.
Conditions: Initially threatening but cleared to some sunshine and dramatic sky’s.
Notes:
Unusual meeting point was suggested – the Bolly Viaduct. Our small crew assembled at 6.30ish under gloomy clouds.
Butty had heard of an August long experiment in Lyme Park; Mon-Fri after 5pm the rangers would allow cyclist to use the tracks to the Cage and Knightlow wood up to Bowstones. Of course this was only open until closing at 8pm sharp so we were on the clock with ambitions to descend the fast track from Bowstones and ride the Cage ridge.
So we set off up through Bolly, Pott Shrigley and the brick works. The sun comes out offering some cheer and after a short consultation we decide on “driest” route from the layby up the steep track overlooking Moorside quarry and onto Dale Top (a partial reverse Beaver). Amazingly we all make the climb to the top without any dabs! (Honest).
By now sunshine is turning the tide with very pleasant conditions and dramatic misty views across the Cheshire plains making some good photo opportunities.
Tracks and moorland towards the Gritstone were somewhat boggy but good time was made to Bowstone farm to start testing the newly permitted tracks into Lyme. This first experimental track is a really great, a fast descent and at the bottom we bump into the Nancy boys, who declare it’s not as much fun when your “allowed” to be here.
Through the woods we pass another experimenter cycling up. Then through the car park we are soon climbing the Cage ridge. As we approach the famous hunting lodge one more Lyme experimenter cycles past and it actually does feel quite novel to be up here. After another photo we charge down the hill to Admissions and Red lane, it’s very fast, skittish but really fun.
Main goals accomplished, we are within time limits and kept to the rules. Hopefully we are encouraging more cycle friendly endeavours from the rangers!
At this point it dawns on Phil that this part of the route is a repeat of his last outing, “Thank you very much” and another climb back to the Bowstonegate.
It is a long but steady climb along un-adopted roads, double track, single track, some bog and road to the Moorside School for naughty kids. This second Bowstones climb is a bit of a battle as a strong headwind has picked up providing a significant fight.
Peaking to see the Nancies for a second time tonight it seems to have taken them a long time to climb that hill!
Reversing our route to Dale top, timecheck! It’s 8.55! No dallying… ridge ride, hop over style, Beavers creek doesn’t disappoint and we hit the gate at 9pm! A ten minute road sprint and we are already locking the bikes in the Poachers bike/beer garden.
Poacher’s staff are happy to serve us food and we are happy to devour it (glad we made it in time).
Conversation starts with bikes and dips between travel, technology and lady bike shop owners (TJ fails to recognise his assistant from a week or two ago). Speaking with the Nancies, they went playing around Lantern woods, this explains the long ascent (and maybe a future TNR route).
Then the tactical twins arrive. The grin on Pete’s face and Stunts story of the Wobbly Wilmslow W(r)ide make it apparent that the rest of us need to catch up! We do, various Belgians join us ending with an obligatory scotch (it’s a tradition after all)!