Words & Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, TJ , Pete
Pub: PTD & Dunc
Route : Riverside Park – Bollin Valley – Prezzas – Chelford Rd – Findlow Hill – Bradford Lane – Hocker lane – Slade lane – Windmill Wood – Artists Lane OR ascent , northern side (route to remain undeclared ) , Chelford Rd return to Prezzas & the Legh Arms
Conditions : Cloudy , dry and cooling down
Notes :
I do not consider myself superstitious, but by the end of the evening the tally of things that had “gone awry” was quite a list.
I have begun to think …
Is this ride route cursed ?
Library Photo
Time to consider the case for the prosecution :
Exhibit A : The mud head Troll declares his refusal to participate in the ride due to a lack of gnarliness
Exhibit B : Alex injures himself during pre-ride preparations and drops out
Exhibit C : EL Pres arrives somewhat flustered at having apparently been given a parking ticket outside his own gaff.
Exhibit D: Part way up Chelford Rd Chris discovers he has forgotten his front light….and the night is falling
Exhibit E: My expensive Thomson Elite dropper post snaps off as we take the fast route back to Tythy from the pub. It’s just outside the two year guarantee period.
But time to think more positively ..
We started off down the Bollin Valley, Dry and picturesque. Starteling a heron, and navigating the long horned cattle. A short but reliable part of the route.
IMHO a ride centred around Alderley Edge is always a bit special . When the nights have drawn in you can make the most of these natural woods. You hardly see a soul, especially if you stay on the southern side of the Prestbury – Alderley road.
I lent my helmet light to Chris, and the battery lasted the whole evening.
We had an interesting encounter with a particularly vocal Owl near the end of Slade Lane . It was particularly noisy, in fact decidedly p1ssed off at having 3 sets off Chinese lights focussed on it.
I managed to navigate most of Windmill Wood in the dark, only getting us a little bit lost for a few minutes. The climb back up Artists, Off road on the right, is another little gem.
By now its almost 8:30 and we have yet to venture North of the main road.
We soon arrive at a location known as Stormy Point and dismount to chill and sample some fine whisky . TJ has a birthday to celebrate.
With lights off, we realise it is not totally dark and enjoy a couple of wee drams .
Realising it is now 8.55 and remembering my promise to the Legh Arms staff of a 9pm-Ish arrival…its time to go.
Beer-legs Palmer disappears into the distance . We arrive at the Blik Boy (Capetown spelling) to a warm welcome from Scott and the young lady staff.
It has been another case of Austin Dining Logistics. PTD awaits us, and the “Cumbria Way” and Dizzy Blondes flow freely.
Dunc arrives and brings the reliable ribaldry zone. Something that could be patented? Soon it is chucking out time .TJ have disappears northward , and El Pres and the dynamic Tythy Duo head up the Bollin Valley.
You already know what happens next….
But it has been a good night, despite the hex upon us.