Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, PTD, Slim, TJ, Dunc, Stunt
Route: BL, Zig, Charity, Extension, Forest Chapel, Gravel Descent, R&L side trails, Bobs Bench, 5 Clouds.
Conditions: Some drizzle higher up, very wet trails, cold later
Notes:
The weather seems to be stuck in a cycle of “rinse & repeat” with heavy rain much of the day clearing just in time for the TNR…but not in time for some excuses for no shows!!
The hardy core of the TNR massive duly assembled, and almost get caught up in the Puss Bank disco finish due to “where will we finish?” talk.
Its peak xmas do season, and both the Smithy and the Dunny are full. We head uphill to continue the conversation. Mega puddles on the Zig, a hint of delayering needed, a touch of cloud at Windyways, and more on charity tarmac..with a cold wind higher up.
Poor vis on the charity descent = slower speeds, plus big rocks in strange places from all the water (and 4×4’s).
The extension is clearly seen..which is just as well as there is no clear line through the debris field
PTD needs some air in his rear tyre having burped it hitting something big, but needs a CO2 boost from Dunc by the time we’ve climbed back to forest chapel on the road.
Finish plan has now evolved to 5 clouds & takeout in a bid to avoid the popular pubs, and the likely popular Picturedrome (yet to be TNR’d)
Hurtling down the gravelly decents, then either side of the road, may not be the most techie of routes, but is still fun!
The curse of the bumped rim not resealing causes at bike swapping pit stop from PTD, and some TNR inspection of works at the Shrubberies.
Plan comes good as 5 clouds is quiet, and we can stack the bikes inside. Pizza’s are procured (and delivered to our table), and the No1 pale ale at only 3% is a tasty and healthy option! The belgian sour beer was in a minority of 1.
Election exit poll news drove us to harder stuff, and the 10% Fudge stout was crying out to be tried (in respectable 1/3pint portions). Rather fantastic it was too…so that would be 2/3 then 😉
The sensible leavers left a developing AoE contemplating a third 3rd..or did they discover something stronger on the top shelf???
