Words by Pete, Photos by Pete, Lee & Bern, Hospitality by Ruth & Phil
Crew : Pete, Butty, Troll, Simon, PTD , Lee, Bernard, 3Sheds, El Presidente
Route : Incredibles HQ to Cloud, Timbersbrook to Biddulph Valley Way, Climb to Mow Cop, Edge Road snicket, Congleton Edge Bway, Gillow Heath, Biddulph Grange & Hurst Road climb via Gutters Cottage (Harry Cabbage), Inc HQ.
This weeks trending hashtags :
#IncHQ #BanjoTerritory #SouthernByTheGraceOfTroll #MulticolouredBeer #nothingbelow5.5% #BespokeSausage
Weather : Dry and sunny , quite chilly after sunset
Notes:
After last week’s false start, Phil really got the logistics and attendance sorted – a few days of posting photos of “bespoke sausage work” (ooh err missus) sealed the deal for any doubters.
The vast majority assembled at Troll Towers (aka Incredibles HQ) and soon we were off on at quite a pace towards Cloudside .
Here we rendezvous-ed with Bern and Phil who had earned extra points by cycling from Macc on the towpath .
A minor mechanical for El presidente ..he had run out of rear brake pads . And his chain looked like it had been dipped in treacle ! But …at least he was to finish the designated route .
His Trollness then gave us a quick tour around the local and relatively recently constructed Cloud MTB circuit – quite impressive and good fun .
We then ventured further south into Banjo territory along the Biddulph Valley way , managing to lose Butty along the way.
A quick ascent of to Mow Cop and round the back – just as the sun was kissing the horizon good night. Beautiful light.
After a little bit of the Congleton Edge Bridleway my Maxle (thru-axle) on my Orange 5 wound itself loose …and I decided a tarmac route direct back to Troll Towers was the best option for me . With the gallant Lee as my guide.
The disappointment of missing the last off road bit was tempered by a low level fly past from a Barn Owl for Lee and myself.
Back at Inc HQ the fire pit was lit ..the multi-coloured swap-shop IPA was flowing …if you had to ask the % you were not man enough ….
The food was just stunning , and most lasted until near midnight . Respect to Lee and Bern for riding back to Macc !
A select band were quaffing fine drams and listening to Led Zep in the wee hours of the morning .