Words by Alex, Photos by TJ
Crew: El Pres, PTD, TJ, Butty, Troll, Bern, Croxy, Dr S, Stunt
Pub: Nic & Dunc
Route: BL, Zig, Teggs, Smithy, Road to almost Forest Chapel, Tracks RHS & LHS of middle road to Rangers Station, Bob’s bench, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Sub 5, windy, dry
Notes:
A third sub five November TNR…but this week no rain…although a stiff SE wind = sub zero in the wind chill!!
Despite the chilliness, a decent turnout, with the lack of precipitation tempting “fair weather” Croxy ;-), and a welcome appearance by Dr S.
This weeks delay to the start down to trouble on the Macc – Leek road, giving us a late Troll at BL, and an even later Dr S only at Sutton Hall.
It says something when the fastest route to rendevous with the posse is to be directed up coalpit lane!!
The Zig has definitely dried out a lot in a week, and the wind is making anyone thinking they had overdressed smug in the knowledge that no one is going to shed a layer on the ascents!
We pause at the Teggs gate for Dr S to catch up (he’s done well!)
Good conditions on the descent…but a lengthy wait at the bottom turns out to be a mega tubeless burp for Dr S needing a tube to be put in, and a trip to specsavers in the morning to unbend his glasses from the subsequent over the handlebars off! …The fearless trip of PTD, Dr S and the Troll had decided to do the LHS descent!!
We’ve lost quite a bit of time, so the original plan of Witches cottage then Charity and down, is shortened to road to the Track just along from Dentists Descent.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done that road climb (and maybe there is good reason!!) tis long and extremely steep!! There may have been disquiet in the ranks if we had fresher memories! Good training for the fittest, smugness for anyone still with a triple chainset, and some pushing here and there..
PTD has promised seasonal treats, which after a fast and fun descent to the pool, we have lower down out of the wind. Whisky Mac, and homemade mincepies from the surgery nurses (top notch!).
El Pres does comms with Sutton Hall for food, and its more fast gravelly fun down and round the ressie.
In the back room again at Sutton Hall (the Chapel bar apparently), fish pie crisis resolved by Tandoori Halloumi, near disaster as the favoured blonde ale goes off after just 2 pints are pulled, but recovery via Lord Lucan and table service 😉
Butty has the ribaldry going very early (he must have missed us!) so it’s in full swing by the time Nic and Dunc arrive.Croxy tells them that the route was “all uphill” from which we can summise that golf and tennis are not great substitutes for riding (but the boy did well).
No prisoners taken on the ride home (definitely in the teeth chattering zone).