Words by Pete, Photos by Butty & Pete
Crew : Butty, Pete, bern , El Pres & Troll
Pub : Dunc
Route : BL – Canal – Sutton Hall Traverse – Judy Lane – Hanging Gate – Cleulow Cross – A54 – Croker Hill – Gritstone Trail Descent to Ryles Arms.
Conditions : Clear & Cool. Cold wind on the tops. Lack of light pollution made for good view of the stars.
Notes :
- Our pilgrimage to Croker Hill worked very well.
- An excellent route outwards towards the A54 . Albeit all tarmac.
- the route was a little novel – canal towpath and then a traverse of Sutton Hall – Judy Lane route to the Ridgeway .
- The weather was clear and fairly still . But out on the tops (after Hanging Gate) there was a cold wind .
- Bernard and I hung back and chatted. About V1 crash sites in Macclesfield Forest. Amongst other stuff.
- Chris snapped his chain on the climb up the Croker access road.
- Whilst the president was sorting through various “legacy chain technology” quick-links to find a 10 speed, Butty shivered up the hill ahead of us. At the stopping ( or rather sheltering) point behind a wall we poured the G and T. The Troll has brought a little bottle of orange bitters to spice things up. Bernard had brought M&S Chardonnay nuts and a little dish for them!! Very posh.
- It was now time for the president to shiver, until he was encouraged to don another layer. Smug jackets ( a good piece of TNR terminology, Mr Troll) were definitely needed. I was glad that I had decided to wrap the Bombay Sapphire payload in my montane down jacket.
- I always enjoy the annual “Dan pilgrimage” , and the Croker Hill G & T version always evokes fond memories. I have an abiding memory of a refreshed ,yet spirited, descent ( with Dan) to the Ryles Arms through mud, hail and snow.
- This years descent to the Ryles did not disappoint . Appropriately mad but not too muddy. Thankfully.
- Tyre pressure adjustment was once again essential – as was the ensuing p1ss take from the rest of the motley crew.
- to quote Mr B ..”exciting descent which needed careful precision and banter in equal measures, steak all round (mostly), miserable (Valentines) couples, happy bikers (Editors note : that is us) , attentive waitresses, Mrs troll arrives to collect Mr Troll . An expensive bill”
- A fine TNR . Dan would be proud.