Crew: PTD, El Pres, Slim, Butty, Troll, Stunt
Pub: Dunc & Nic
Route: BL, zig zags, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Church House
Conditions: Heavy Rain, lots of water, mud & some ice higher up.
Stats: 6 Brave riders, 2 offs, 2 lighting strikes and 12 extremely wet gloves!
This week dry and sub zero had turned to mild and very wet come Thursday.
Weather radar and falling barometers convinced several that twas a night to polish your cranks rather than venture out, but a wavering Butty is temped by the carrot of Winters Gold, and the Stick of Eric’s verdict on those not riding.
Cometh the hour cometh the Goat! Yes the Troll proudly brings out the Capra as new bike syndrome trumps iffy forecast.
Stunt is also still finessing setup on the KTM, and the rest are simply just manly for arriving whatever the weather.
Definitely an evening where winter is trying to show its full grimness.
Strike two (if the weather forecast is number one)..is the sudden and total failure of Stunts front light..it decides not to switch on again have got to BL all fine.
It gets stowed in a pack for trying again when its a bit warmer and drier.
Rain is quite light at BL, but by the time we have splashed our way up the zig, its time for full waterproofs.
Strike three..heading up the Tarmac to Charity proper rain starts to arrive sideways at high velocity, we shelter at the start of the off road section getting some respite from the trees, and share commiserations with 4 Nancy’s who are also defying Winter tonight.
Serious water running down Charity as we climb….snow melt as well as rain, and ice is still about too…as we go into the cloud!
Strike 4…Ice under the water on the way down just after the steepest bit…El Pres and Slim take heavy offs, and El Pres’s front light mount takes a bashing.
Counter strike…Winters Gold at Narnia Bench…with a toast of F*ck Winter!!
Tis not a night for staying out longer than necessary…as wet gloves are being squeezed of excess water before going back on cold hands (shudders)
Down to witches cottage without further incident, then Hardingland and lower teggs and to the warmth of the fire at the Church House,Wet, cold , battered, poorly lit and in some cases bloody, we have had a proper ride!
All the establishments remaining pies are ordered, washed down with 6X or White rat. Gloves and buffs adorn the fireguard (and there are regular ouch’s from Butty as he dutifully turns them – wet and hot is hurty!)
Dunc and Nic arrive..by car, and get some stick, but more for the Tartan jumper abomination adorning Biggus’s ample torso.
Tales of the evening, estimate the quantity of water absorbed by waterproof gloves!
the ceremonial showing of the presidential bloodied and bruised forearm, retro ribaldry and Laphroaig to finish.
Horrible relayering and still raining cats and dogs all the way home.
Good luck to Nic and Dunc on the Edale bike and run trailquest event on Sunday.
Stunts light never did come back on (warranty claim in progress)