Crew: Slim, Dunc, Stunt
Pub: Butty, G, Adrian
Route: MC, Zig Zags, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Sutton Hall
Conditions: Steady rain, intermittent cloud, very wet trails
British understatement award to Stunt for declaring that the ride might be a bit drizzly..as departure time approached so did the bail outs, with only a 50% turnout at Muller corner. Butty did actually set off, but turned back after a few miles and arrived home soaked to the skin.
Making the most of the evening, route plan was initated, Funky astride the rigid fortitude (due to mechanical issues with the Tarn). With no wind, it was rather peaceful when stopped with the rain not being super heavy, but rather softly pattering steadily, and trickling noises from the rivulets on the ground.
All this water and mildness tempted the first of the frogs out, with a big one at the start of Chazza.
Too sloppy to risk the grassy RHS, the main lane very rocky and wet – although Dunc make it look easy with only limbs and some steely flex to cushion the ride! Not disastrously muddy in Narnia, and Hardingland top section was in a patch of cloud with low vis.
At the top of the steps to the ford, exited chatter from a pack of cubs being hurridly marshalled at the sight of lights approaching, we walked the steps to avoid panic, and to cries of “Do It Do It” we ride the ford as a crowd pleaser.
Pete warns us of a mud patch of doom further on, which is neatly avoided, and it’s heads down to the pub with the sound of metal on metal as Dunc’s rear brake gives up the ghost with an over extended caliper.
Another amphibian waits for us at the threshold of the back gate to the beer garden, and we lock up and shed wet gear for an early arrival to Sutton Hall.
Butty is waiting for us having driven over, and is rewarded with the special being an unpronouncable germaic grapefruit shandy (barman gamely gets it right when we ask what it is). Deerstalker (a nice sweet stout) is the popular choice, as is the burger. G also drives out, and Adrian makes a late appearance too.
Skiing conditions, examples of meeting people you know in the strangest of places, and general banter make for a cosy evening.
No sign of any let up in the weather, so by the time we are home it is a very wet three rings!