Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Stunt, 3 Sheds
Route: RB, Middlewood way, Shrigley Road, Under the Canal, West Parkgate, Paddock Cottage, Knightslow woods, Bowstones, Gritstone Trail, 1975 stone, Sponds, Dale Top, Quarry descent, Poachers.
Conditions: Scorchio, bit of a breeze higher up.
Notes:
Apparently it’s all kicking off in Russia, “beware the Belgians playing the joker”, but don’t panic it’s a dead rubber anyway and it might be better to lose!?
Whatever that is all about it certainly led to an elite Eric friendly crew, and post apocalypticly empty landscapes…perfect!
Yet another week of this dammed weather, what’s a chap to do but seek the shelter of the leafy trees…before heading high to enjoy on board refreshments, views, fresh air, and camaraderie.
Middlewood way (apart from the odd cockwomble) provided a cool and airy route to Lyme park, via the Higher Poynton car park and lane up and under the canal. We turn off at the Church just ahead of a club run of roadies.
More coolth once through the gate, and even the grass climb to a definitely slightly pink Paddock cottage, is easier than normal due to the phenomenon of grippy grass!
Being legal in the park this time of year some discussion on route, and nostalgia takes us outside the wall to the big stile over the wall to the woods. Once through we do loops across dry beds of needles, roots and backed dry trail.
By the time we venture out into the direct sunlight again, the worst of the heat has gone, and its time to attack the climb to Bowstones.
Views from the top are impressive, and a breeze is welcome. Shonky hinges on the gates don’t appear to benefit from the dry weather though.
No mounds of paper processing waste at the moment..although plenty of evidence of its scattering!
The “1975” stone provides a perfect viewpoint and platform for G&T’s with ice and lemon.
3 Sheds is send a homing beacon, and we sit and enjoy our butties (or cold pizza slices!).
When he arrives, he lays down a marker of his own in sophisticated outdoor living with proper glass, and pork pies!
Saddleworth is still smoking gently hugging the valley’s like mist, and as the sun lowers in the sky, its clearly drifting past Manchester. More worrying is a big plume on Winter Hill, which is going high in the sky before pluming away towards Wales.
Slim had brought camera with proper lens, and clicks away happily, the black cows among the sheep munch happily on the marsh grass, and a brown calf suspiciously licks 3 sheds bike before deciding it’s not worth eating!
Finally the sun sets, the money shot is taken, lightage is deployed, and we travel fast across the bone dry tops. At Dale Top a blood moon is rising from the East, more pics swiftly taken. Quarry descent is fast and fun!
Poachers arrival at 10:10, locking up the bikes it appears that the Nancies have a santa cruz policy going!
The need for cold beer means that lager beats ale this week!
We miss the Dunc ribaldry catalyst, but eventually get there ourselves. Some banter with the Nancies who apparently call us the Tytherington Night Riders …how close they are! 😉
Pleasantly cool on the ride home.