Words by Ale, Pics by Pete
Crew: PTD, Slim, Mr Inc, Butty, Bern, 3 Sheds, Stunt, TJ (DNF)
Pub: TJ, El Pres, Croxy, Dunc, Nic
Route: BL, Zig Zags, Walker Barn, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Smithy, reverse ressie, white rabbit ascent, Nessit Hill, official descent, tracks to ressies, Bobs bench, Smithy.
Conditions: Breezy, Mild, the odd spot of rain.
Notes:
We must be “between seasons” so most folk present (as opposed to travelling to summery or wintery climes). Not all are able to ride, but eight assemble at Barracks lane.
The now normal state of the weather discussion soon ensues, with the radar suggesting a definite band of rain soon to be upon us (and there are some dark looking clouds about in the failing light). While we debate the right clothing choice, we chat with a succession of the Palmer tribe who are exiting the house, all except El Pres (who is apparently doing the Ironing!)
More riders arrive to various shout’s….”Ball’s out!” being one!
Ninja Bern is once again in black T shirt, and claims he’s been bet a bottle of whisky that he’ll keep it going until Christmas! We’re non too sure that that was ever intended (or wise!)
Warmest greeting for PTD on his inaugural ride back from the house moving /renovating vortex that has consumed him since the end of June.
Also the rain does arrive, so waterproofs are quickly donned (even by Bern), and we head up the hill to catch the false starter…. “Ball’s off!”
The good news is that the rain is short lived, the bad news is that by the end of the Zig, TJ’s got a terminal case of Bearing failure, with the alarming play in the rear triangle affecting gear changes. He decides to struggle on and maybe do an early pub.
By the end of the Zag, we’ve got hold of loose Ball, only to find that TJ has not made it! Comms determines chain frottage!?, and a DNF.
At the start of Charity we are being followed by a very large group of riders…so it’s not just us with Jumbo turnout tonight!
Stunt is on the recommissioned Marin Tubby Tyred Rigid, but appears to have contaminated pads/discs, as he squeeeeaals like a pig downhill to scare away any wandering wildlife.
Narnia bench provides the venue for a PTD Whisky Mac refreshment stop (and very fine it is too), with news that dentists everywhere are ditching the single use plastic glasses for paper (luckily PTD has saved a supply for celebratory shots in future).
Marvellous metaphors begin to flow along with the warmth of the licour, glad you dentists are no longer “Turtle Stranglers” (we think a plastic bag reference!?)
Hardingland seems chunkier than usual but we all survive, Stunts discs having smoked impressively, now seem to mostly be silent.
We order at the rather busy Smithy (where Stunt is mistaken for G!) and head back out for a quick ascent of Nessit.
Peleton strings out as legs tire on the climb, but its a fun blast down as always.
Pub is so busy we are granted special privilege to use the carpeted area!
Bern has a tactical milk! Sausages and Mash with Black pudding superb, and demolished, PTD’s pork chop arrives on a laden plate (apparently he’s accidently ordered double potatoes and veg). Apparently you’d have to be so hungry that you could “eat two more tatties than a pig” to polish that off!!
The Adnams light stout also goes down rather well.
Croxy arrives and begins to inject some ribaldry, and we keep having to get more chairs round the table as soon after TJ and El Pres arrive, then Dunc and Nic!
Our original Magnificent Seven has swelled to become the Dirty Dozen! and all the better for it 🙂
Many a conversation, Bern is off on his ride to Vienna next week (good luck and fair weather!), tales of the Pennine Bridleway from Stunt…some C**nty Steep climbs apparently, and who’s back garden isn’t complete without a 40ft high inflatable Mammoth!!
A moderate AoE forms for a final snifter before heading home into chilly air under clearing skies.