Crew: EL Pres, PTD, Bern, Troll, Croxy, Dr S, Slim, Stunt
Route: MC, Zig Zags, Walker Barn, Charity, Narnia, Lesser travelled fireroads to Forest Chapel, Standing Stone, Kirsten Munt descent, usual tracks down past Bob’s bench to the Smithy, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Sheet ice in places, frozen crust to the ground, no wind.
We may have missed the snow at the weekend, but temperatures had again plummeted and full winter gear essential.
Bern was bringing beverage to celebrate his birthday, and the inital route plan was to head into the forest via charity, then go up the Shutlingsloe steps, ascent the Macclesfield Eiger for drinks, then come back across a hopefully frozen Pigford moor to the back of the Moon descent.
Team all assembled (with only Dr S making a possible ride status into mission possible!) we enjoy the zigs and the climb to finally get warm by the top. Croxy suggests we invoke a whoever first mentions health or pensions has to buy a round later (this is a sad reflection of our age profile these days!)
Descending down to Walker Barn there are flashing orange lights glowing on Charity Lane, and as we turn off from the main road we immediately hit sheet ice, and not far ahead is an old silver RAV4 sideways blocking the road. One occupant is gingerly shuttling back from the grit bin to spread salt under the wheels.
Once we have hiked our bikes around the obstacle, we offer assistance to push the corners while they try to get straight. After a couple of attempts it is done…we leave them to the “interesting” reverse back to the main road.
We negotiate a few more bad ice patches before reaching the offroad proper, and re-evaluate the route.
PTD leads us on the higher RHS of charity which is ice free other than the puddles, and only has one old patch of icy snow to worry about. There are lights in the trees, with more youthful riders sessioning the tricky tracks by the looks of it.
We turn in at Narnia, and abandon any thoughts of Shutlingsloe for the bench, where Bern serves warm mince pies, and steaming mulled wine in proper crockery!
More PTD route leadership takes us on fire roads less travelled (and sometimes very steep) to the road just below Forest Chapel, where we are relieved to see that the gritter has been past recently. One patch of ice on the exit to the standing stone lane, but nothing otherwise to fear.
Time is running short, so straight on the aross to the S bends (one owl flies across in front of us) , but then down the steps of munt, left turn, and the normal exit protocol round the ressie and out at the Leathers. One patch of ice after the little dam catches Bern out, but his careful packing saves the Crockery! Shoulder less so 🙁 , he heads home for media duties on the radio!
The remaining seven achieve Sutton Hall – which is very quiet, but enjoy superb ale selection, and carnivourous menu. New waiting staff, but same excellent service.
Pigs in blankets side orders for some! A youthful crowd of well dressed folk appear from the back room everyonce in a while, so there is some xmas party activity going on it seems. It triggers some fun discussions about the magnetic watch from the old Bond films! PTD begins to plan the xmas cocktails for 2 weeks time.
No axis of pudding tonight, but a fine whisky to fortify as we head out into fresh wet snow.
an Axis of P*ss was observed on the drive as the cold air obviously got to parts other beers couldn’t reach!