Crew: Coley, El Pres, Slim, Butty, TJ, 3 Sheds, Troll, Stunt
Route: MC, Zig zags, walker barn, charity, extension, standing stone, nessit, lower part of the proper downhill course, back up to the bottom of the white rabbit track, road up past the Hanging Gate, Withenshaw lane, Ryles Arms.
Conditions: Sunny, warm, gentle breeze, cold post pub.
Coley takes operational leadership and declares an 8:30 Ryles finish from a 6pm Muller Corner start, wildboarclough ish route, and a Ryles finish. El Pres throws down the gauntlet of getting there via the downhill from Croker Hill…
This weeks views from there are of the sunny and glorious variety, Butty is running late but meets us part way up the zig, TJ declares he will meet us in the forest….
A perfect evening for drinking in the scenery and chatting away, Stunt stops to catch up with an old work colleague just after the zig, but catches up by the end of the Zag.
Huge Buzzard slowly flaps into a glide from a field by the Buxton Road, we find TJ at the start of Charity, and let a couple of riders past with their trail dog.
The higher RHS option at charity has some surprisingly muddy slippy bits to keep you honest, and the main track is still running some water all the way to the end.
The ruts on the approach to the extension catch out Coley who has a brief commune with the vegetation as a result, the tricky bit loose and lumpy but no issues this time.
Time to face up to some over optimistic route plans, and the Pigford moor option is passed over in favour of heading to Nessit. The singletrack from behind the shutlingsloe entry is seriously overgrown, it needs lots more riding (or maybe some trail trimming?)
More eye candy from a low sun throwing many a lovely hue across the landscape.
More debate about how best to descend, this weeks route editor is 3 Sheds, who decides we should explore the lower part of the downhill course proper. It’s muddy and wet is plenty of places, and it’s either great fun, or “great fun” depending on your capabilities! Amazingly we all come out at the same end point despite the myriad of options.
One last road climb as the sun sets, Butty chats to the Hanging Gate landlord about the sign for pies, with a pre order this could be a finish back on the menu!
Tis a long way past the ‘Gate to the turn for Withenshaw lane, and with the last of the red disc having just disappeared beyond the welsh hills we are descending at speed into cool air towards a bright and busy Ryles arms.
They have extended the main area out over the old patio, and it’s gone all gastro pub trendy inside (cutaway beer barrels as urinals). Service is excellent and ever, with our waitress ex of the vale and remembers us!
Otters Pool and Black Sheep slide down nicely, Food choice a bit pub standard, and serving the burger and chips on old tin trays is a bit pretensious (bah humbug!) but it does the job….well apart from the Small Fish and chips, so Troll does Creme Brulee and Coffee (which temps El Pres into pudding too)
We must have had fun, because despite starting early, it’s suddenly Whisky o’clock and time for extra layers for a chilly descent back into Macc and all roads home.