Crew: El Pres, Slim, Troll, Dunc, Stunt
Route: Stonyfold Lane, Zig Zags, Charity, Extension, Standing Stone, Nessit Hill, White Rabbit Descent, Ressies.
Conditions: 4C and rain lower down, cold enough for snow higher up.
Notes:
TNR rides again in up to six formation, but the inclement weather could only tempt out five!
More new winter gear sported by the Troll, and all well dressed for the damp and cold. With light rain falling El Pres decrees one lap of the forest to find snow, then pub/home…no one disagrees 😉
Zig is uber muddy and wet, the zag slighty wet, and by the time we are at Windyways, the sleety rain is now definitely snow, and even settling on the walls and long grass. We are overtaken by a gritter heading up to the Cat as we turn into Charity from the main road.
The sight of white sides to the track brings smiles, and despite the precipitation it’s not too wet. Regrouping (do we detect a lack of riding/training during this lockdown??).
The reflection from the snow (light though it is) means that head mounted lights are pretty much useless, and visibility is a bit restricted, has not been an issue going up, down is another story, and the right speed to take the trail is a bit too fast to see!! More fun on the extension, then on to Nessit.
Absolutely no view at all from the benches, as the weather blots out all light from below. Then a fast and face freezing descent on the white rabbit route brings us back down around the ressie and to the Smithy.
A hardy team of three investigate the outdoor dining option, and the tythy two drop off, and once into Langley back into the rain, and a cold wet ride home.
Proper winter ride!