Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, TJ, Butty, Mr Inc, Stunt
Route: BL, New Road, Cat, Axe Edge, 3 Shires, Cutthorne, Cumberland Clough, Standing Stone, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Clear Skies, light winds, very cold
Notes:
Following last week’s trend of declaring a route “goal”, tonight Axe edge is declared! (and it meets the low stile count required by Mr Inc’s dodgy arm)
Under beautiful starry skies there are soon layers shed on the climb up, a mini top gear challenge emerges to inject some interest, at the commuter’s favourite straight on the group splits, but the straight up boys decide that bottom of the oven is a silly idea, and turn left to rejoin Buxton road close to the Lamaload turn.
It’s always further than you think past the Cat until the little right turn, and it’s always further up the hill to the track than you think!!
Arriving after an hour of up-hilling, the clear night and breeze up high leads to some serious chillin!
Tis no place to hang about, extra layers reapplied (and then some!)..we set out across the moor…its damp but not muddy..of more concern is that some mist is forming.
Arriving at the wall/sheep pen, it doesn’t look quite right, but a crossing of the wall is remembered.
Tech to the rescue suggests hiking the bike over is the right thing to do, whence it becomes clear we usually arrive from a marginally different angle 🙂
Mutterings about standing in the cold as some photography is performed (..”the Philistines !”).
Trail soon becomes familiar again, we hit the fast wide track, onto the lane, down the farm track (in good condition), and finally the drop off at the stream (well done Butty).
A huge meteor is seen (by Stunt) waiting his turn (verified by twitter you know!)
Twisty, rocky, slabby and chunky and it’s 3 shires bridge before you know it (with the damage hidden until its discovery later…) .
Sadly no wee dram to warm us up, just the sandy gritty loose Cutthorne climb.
With cold fingers and faces we hit it with relish!
8:30 at the lane, and there’s time for Chumby (no rest for the wicked)
Shiny Chumby gate is still technically shonky as it has no hinges (unless you count one scruffy loop of farmers twine).
Middle very loose, sides quite slippy, it pays to pay attention!
After the watersplash new fencing is evident (also from cut thorne to the main road) someone’s been busy this summer!
More ruggedness down the brook, through the ford and down to the gate at Wildboarclough.
Excitement over, weary legs take is easy along the valley and up to standing stone.
We’ve made good time, but not enough for anything else than route one down the road to ensure food can be ordered.
El Pres duly finds his Pub Proximity mojo and arrives first and gets 6 meals in, before the kitchen can close.
Lots of dark beers on offer, pumkin stout rather good, White Nancy or Hoegaarden for those who like it paler.
Excellent service at the table, which is just as well because no one fancies getting up in a hurry.
Trollish comments set a ribaldry edge with a lack of pub mates to help us along.
Very cold ride home, and legs would be feeling a big ride the following morning.