Words and pics by Pete & El Pres
Crew: El Pres, Troll, Pete, Dunc
“In the pub” : Bern
Route : BL , old Buxton road, new Buxton road, Tea Rooms, Cat &Fiddle, Danebower Hollow, Cumberland Clough, Standing Stone, Nessit and Ye Olde Kings Head and then the Presidential Residence.
Stats:one failed light, one extremely shonky gate
Weather : Clear and cold, -1c when we got home.
Notes:
Rendezvous for 4 at BL. News from Butty that he is dropping out .
Our mission is to ride and return to “ethically dispose” of the Storm brewing beer left over from the New Years Eve bash at Mark and Ginny’s.
it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it .
And by now we have already ordered curry for 5 from Indian John.
So, it’s time to burn some serious calories and generate a hearty appetite.
My pleas for a shorter ride are overridden by El Pres.
We set off for the Cat.
The wind is at our backs , so it’s an easier ascent than we anticipated. When we reach the start of Danebower Hollow it is a damn sight colder…time for another layer. We re-group at the half-way gate, tyre pressures are dropped and we press on for the fast and furious descent to the 54.
A wonderful spooky supermoon appears from behind swirling clouds as we ride the short stretch of tarmac to the start of Chumby.
Pic is from a couple of days earlier
The gate at the entrance to the track has attained a new level of shonkyness. Lacking hinges it now has to be man handled open or shut. The positioning is crucial, as I found out when I leant back on it and it gave way. This was the source of much mirth.
We had one fortunate, if slightly unprepared, Troll in our midst. Fortunate in that his light failed ( or rather the battery was drained) on the early part of Chumby. El Pres to the rescue with a generous loan of his bar mounted light.
The Clough was particularly chunky , as though someone had deliberately roughed it up.
Full marks and bonus points to Dunc who seems to negotiate this technical descent on his rigid 29er Genesis Fortitude better than some of us (no names, no pack drill) on full suspension steeds.
On to Standing stone, then Nessit ( it would be rude not to) and the fire track down. Next stop Ye Olde Kings Head . Just for a cheeky one, or in Duncs case a cheeky one and a bit.
His new tactic is to sup a good portion of his beer and then fake accidentally knocking over his glass and spilling the remainder. This in full knowledge of that the bar lady will give him a refill free of charge.
We begin to consider a second pint, but sense ( and hunger) prevails and we press on to the Presidential homestead.
Here we find that Charlotte has our carry out all sorted into serving dishes. “Stunt Butty” has arrived in the shape of big events Bern. The stove is beautifully warm.
We are truly blessed.
The freebie ale flows freely, the generously sized carry out gets demolished with ease….and our host even brings out his personal a-of-e to share with us.
Beware of trolls bearing tequila!
I seem to recall there being a tale behind the acquisition of this particular liquor…but it all gets a bit misty in my memory at this point.
Our thanks to Mr McD for the donated ale, Charlotte and El Pres for their hospitality and also to whoever donated the dubious Tequila.
