library shot from 11th August 2018
Words by Alex, Photos by Pete, PTD (and maybe Butty later…)
Crew: Crossers Slim, Butty, TJ, Stunt MTB El Pres, PTD, Coley, Mr Inc
Crossers Route: RB, BL, Byrons Lane, Ridge Hill/Meg Lane, Nabbs Road past the plague stone, A54 to Rose & Crown, Road up to Burncliff Top, Right over the Bridge and loop towards A53 then the back of the Roaches, Roach End, Double track to lane that comes out by Swythamley Chapel, Danebridge, Barlow Hill, Ryles Arms
MTB Route: Hollin Lane, Fourways, Descent into Danebridge on RHS backways, various furtlings, A54 Croker Hill Descent, Ryles Arms.
The “Mud heads” 🙂
Conditions: Mild & Dry, cool later.
Notes:
Variety is the spice of life..but some are acquired tastes!
A cross bike evening suggestion splits the peleton into two, but an “all’s well that ends well” finish for everyone is arranges at the Ryles Arms.
Despite an early heavy shower (very localised) both teams get underway on time (even if Butty has read Rainbow Bridge, but done BL in his head).
A fine evening with excellent light and views, which for team Crosser is a good thing as Butty’s little 18 miler route seems to include a lot of steep climbs!
Much camera geekery with big lenses from Pete & Butty (and welcome respite for weary legs)
Plenty of fine views, and recording of the fire at the Roaches – 2 temp pumping units ,a pipeline of 10″ hoses, and 3 weary firefighters lead to over a mile of still smoking blackened earth.
A good job they managed to stop it at the road – or farms and fields would have gone too! Stunning sunset and vistas too.
These regular stops plus a tubeless puncture in Gradbach mean team Cross are running out of time, 8:40 at Roach end, light fading, temp dropping and the little matter of Barlow Hill!
It’s a long way down dark lanes, before hitting the main road, and folk need to dig deep to crest at the A54.
Back at the Ryles at 8:40 team MTB have had a fast and dry descent from Croker Hill, and are ordering celebratory G&T’s in Dan’s memory 🙂
They are half way through their food as Crossers trickle in. Sir Philip the ale of choice to wash down rather fine steak & steak burgers.
Coley tells tales of Scooter road trip to Belgium, and eBike off’s for Jane!
The Ryles being a bridge to far for Dunc, we avoid too much Ribaldry, but talk of a bivvy night next week.
Extra layer needed for the ride home…hints of autumn in the air.
Wildlife spots – Soaring Buzzards, the odd bat, and a big badger crosses the road in front of Slim & Stunt on Hollin lane post pub
