Crew: El Pres, Slim, 3 Sheds, Butty, TJ, Dr S, Lee, Troll, Stunt, Dunc, G
Route: MC, Zig Zags, Charity, under the trees to Narnia, Extension, Standing Stone, Push up onto Pigford moor, full traverse past the Slabs, onto the (very overgrown) landrover track below Shutlingsloe, across the Southern side, and to Greenway bridge. Up Nabbs road past the plague stone, Hanging Gate, back to the Forest, past the ressie, and down from the Leathers to the Kings Head.
Conditions: Dry, warm, firm trails, a bit buggy.
Notes:
Another good summers TNR, with El Pres taking us on the rarely visited far side of Pigford moor.
Initial RV at MC got most of the crew, with a second walker barn meet, updated to the start of charity (offroad) as the main group were ahead of time. Dunc and Slim not so impressed with the measly 5 mins to get up the hill, but they gamely gave it a go.
This gave the rest of us time to have a wry smile at the three lads being dropped off at the start of chazzy, who then proceeded to do stretches (why not loosed up by riding up??). A small ish bike with lurid green spokes was being ridden one of them, he did like his wheelies.
The “under the trees” section to Narnia was in better shape than expected, with plenty of excitement for all abilities.
Lower chazza fast and loose, extension extremely sketchy lower down!!
The formerly rideable track up onto Pigford moor, was so deeply rutted that a daredevil ride the narrow centre line, or push were your choices. The next choice was to push round the less steep curve, or take the straight up to the ridge option. Ridge wins.
Some muttering about the wisdom of the Pigford far side choice, as we wade through thigh deep marsh grass, but the rocky base of the trail is generally there, and 3 sheds does an impressive job of leading the way.
We pick up the trail markers as the vegetation thins, find the right “right hand turn” and head down to more narrow overgrownness.
Its suprisingly rideable (assuming you have faith there are no wheel eating holes hiding in your path), and great views too. F**ing flies a bit of a nuisance for those not exuding jungle formula.
Fast and fun on the final descent to Greenway bridge, and G eventually catches us up on the e steed.
Slog up to the plague stone, short stop to regroup, quick thrash into the edge of the forest and down to the Smithy to regroup again. The three lads from Charity were also there heading down the road, and that green spoked rear wheel was looking very shonky!
Butty headed off to the Kings Head at speed, and met the 4WD Fuzz mobile head on in Langley village, the “charity lads” were looking nervous…Hmmm.
Perfect evening for sitting out in the Marquees, with heavenly Timmy Taylors Landlord! Good service and some high class banter.
No AoE but a classic TNR summer ride.