Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Troll, Dunc, Slim, Butty, Stunt
Pub: Croxy
Route: Bl, Buxton Road, Ecton Av, Bridleway to Bibby’s Lane, Rainow Road, Well Lane, Swanscome Lane, Lidgetts Lane, Kerridge Ridge, Diagonal grassy descent back to lower Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers Snicket, Lord St, Chancery Lane, Grimshaw Lane, Main Drag, Flash Lane, Butley Ash
Conditions: Cold, windy, icy rain later.
Stats: 1 off, 1 chain break (both Butty), 1 lighting failure (troll)
Notes:
A very springlike sunny day deteriorated with strengthening gusty winds, and a nasty hail shower (Causing Butty to return home, change layers and declare his position)
Suitably dressed, the rest of the crew assembled at BL, for presidential direction on route. This being a stay low(ish) and be at the pub for 8:45 (despite an advertised 10pm for food).
Local it may be, but variety it is! The snicket from Ecton ave was slithery enough to ensure concentration required, and some good views, it always feels like a hidden treasure.
Some amusing road signs on Swanscome lane warning of the evils of Peds and Cyclists in the road way!? Then some larking about with the road closure signs on Lidgetts, before uniting with Butty who was being stalked by a cat near the pumping station.
The mud by the Kerridge gate was unrideable, so the steep climb up to the ridge was actually a sensible suggestion! (merit to Dunc for getting to the gate with only a dab).
Phil amusingly says he rode the next bit in the summer..and gets bet 3 months worth of beer to do it..turns out it wasn’t “that bit”, but it does invoke some competition on “this bit” which Dunc wins, but merits for Troll and Butty who got within a couple of bike lengths!
We’ve been sheltered from the wind on the way up, but there is no escape at the trig point, while we wiat for Pete who has had a camelback malfunction! But we are not on the ridge long before its time to cut back and down. Dunc expertly guides us to the lower path, with a few “Whoos” on the slippy bits where there is some sideways action!
The resurfaced section is still slippy (but only in a few mm of mud way) but the best we will get before the slippy slope of doom down to the stream. Mudski! but well spaced out there are no incidents.
Ascending Oakenbank we almost catch a lone rider, but he puts in a big effort not to be caught and then heads straight down, disturbing a badger who runs in his lights for a bit.
We regroup, admire (briefly) the views, and then head on ourselves.
Rain is in the air, Troll has exhausted his front light, and we follow El Pres down the poachers snicket and through the back roads of Bolly.
Icy heavy wind and rain hits on grimshaw lane, its heads down and gritted teeth all the way to the pub.
Once inside and stripped of wet muddy gear, we realise we are a couple short…whatsapp confirms that Butty has broken his chain …Pete assists and some time later two bedraggled riders finally appear.
Excellent table service from the staff, Speckled Hen, Abbot and Guinness help wash down the food, and puddings are also consumed!
Butty despite being rained on twice, and going over the handlebars as the chain snapped, is in good spirits as he got to use his new quicklink opening tool!
Much catching up, and dark humour, we sense that Slim’s 20 month Gaaap yaaar may be coming to an end, and the Troll has a new project (land acquired). Good to have Croxy’s company too.
Cold ride home..smug mode for anyone with fresh gloves! 🙂
..and despite whisky chasers, early night..bonus