Words by Pete, Pics by Pete & Butty
Crew : Butty, 3Sheds, El Pres , Pete , Troll, Dunc
In da pub: Croxy
Conditions : Dry, about 14c to start , sunny and a stiff easterly. Dusty trails
Route : MC – Teggs Rear entry – Classic descent – Bottoms Res – Leathers (Food Order) – Left Hand side ascent to Chazza – Fence Hop to cheeky trails – Narnia – Finish Chazza – Extension – Stranding Stone – Nessit – Off Piste Stream path (to left of the downhill ) – Leathers
Notes :
Another evening of excellent weather and great trails – twas just a wee bit cold in the easterly.
I wore my sunglasses ? for most of the ride
Teggs Nose was awash with Orienteers . A momentary outbreak of indecision amongst the crew , then the planned 3sheds technical route off the top was deferred. Taking the classic route down to Holehouse lane was a great choice , grippy not slippery and hardly any citizens to dodge on the descent.
A quick pub stop to order nosh. John (the Barman) was in fnarr fnarr mode after multiple orders for Pulled Pork .
A slow winch up the left hand side towards Chazza . Butty disappeared off in E-bike mode and did not reappear for a while .
As we climbed and the sun dropped more that stiff Easterly breeze made its presence known.
It has been a while since we did the “fence hop” to the cheeky trails to Narnia . They were a bit muddy still at the start but great fun . Marvellous strong low sunlight as the temperature drops.
Extra layers donned , we rejoined charity. There was a weird, ethereal light on shining Tor and the cat and fiddle.
Very loose on the end of Chazza and the extension (think I had to dab, but no full-on gravel dance)
After Nessit some one ahead chose an orthodox route down – “left of the down hill course via the stream” is my best description of it. I had my doubts to begin with …but it got better and better . The rooty bits were fun and very rideable. And the light from the setting sun through the forest canopy was the icing on the cake .
We eventually emerged at the foot of Nessit ascent , and 5 mins later we are the prodigal sons returned to The Leathers. We were treated by John , our figurative father, as long lost sons . The “fatted calf” (this week at least) was pulled pork in a bun with chips
Croxy arrives and waxes lyrical about grandfather-dom and tales from a wedding in Ireland.
Neck oil , Landlord, Cooking lager, and ….Guinness, coke and water …for those about to donate blood tomorrow.
Whisky was taken to fortify ourselves for the chilly descent home .