Words by Alex, Photos by Butty & Pete
Crew: 3 Sheds, Lee, TJ, Butty, Dunc, Slim, Stunt
Route: RB, Clarke lane, Redway lane, Bridleway “under Nancy”, Ingersley Vale, Poachers Snicket, Pott Shrigley, Bakestonedale road, Gritstone Trail, 1976 stone, Sponds, Dale Top, Top of beavers creek, past the mine memorial, quarry descent, Birchencliffe, Poachers.
Conditions: Dry, clear, cool.
No early start this week due to “workers”, and a covid compliant crew thanks to some of the Yorkshire Dales regulars “resting” after some big days earlier in the week.
A welcome return of the Ball, who was so excited to be back in circulation that he did a lap of Kerridge ridge before the ride started!
Route almost the same as last week, but starting later twas to be a proper autumn ride. Already cool extra layers were in evidence from the start.
A short but stiff climb on the Redway bridleway to warm us up, then a long grind up past the brickworks and beyond.
Reward at the top a fabulous low orange full moon was rising! Laggards Slim and Butty caused some hilarity as the rode past the Gristone gate to “get a better shot” (not sure that they would be any closer!?), they soon returned seeing sense, and got Funky to hold it still for a close up!!
A ride of a thousand yellow eyes (and the odd low down green pair), through the scattered flock up to the 1976 stone (unbelivably a new feature for Dunc!).
There we played spot the transmitters, and a new mystery…very faint towards the Clyweds another red light lit mast….Moel-Y-Parc?
Even better some Jura to celebrate Pete’s birthday, with pork pie and mustard!
Some geeky amateur astronomic excitement, as an ISS pass is expected at 20:04 hrs, Mars is visible, some stars are out, and at Sponds we do indeed catch a glimpse of the human made fast star.
Good omens as several of us also spot a disintegrating meteor looking rather like a substandard firework.
Definitely very chilly now, and a super heavy dew on the grass. Cutting the corner from Sponds over the humpy bits not as easy in the dark, and we veer a little right hitting the main track earlier than ususal.
Fine views from Dale top, including 3 sheds trying to clean sheep poo from his newish bike!
Trails along the top and down still very firm and fast. Some debate about Birchencliffe (mainly as 3 sheds still wanting to keep his bike clean!!)
But nothing to worry about, with the water splash just a trickle!
Team Tythy are not pubbing and peel off right at the Pott Shrigley road to pick up the Middlewood.
The thirsty team head for the Poachers..and a no-show from El Pud?? (Slim Edit : But we sample some strange Orange Vanilla dark coloured concoction which turned out to be 6.3% ….which had to be followed by a round of Leffe Blondes.
It would be rude not to.
And the pub was fully emptied out by 10pm