Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: Doog, EL Pres, Bern, Butty, Troll, 3 Sheds, Croxy, Slim, G, Stunt
Route: Church House Sutton, Ridge Hill/Meg Lane to Hanging Gate, Fourways, A54, Croker Hill, Dan’s Descent, Hollin Lane, Symondley Road, Fields & snickets to Leek old Road, Chez Doog.
Conditions: Scorchio!
Doog rustles up a BBQ finish and attracts all available TNR’s for such a wonderful offer.
We meet at the Church house under blue skies as the mercury hits 30c, and responsibly we take on extra fluids immediately with a cheeky half, and declare the ride slack from the start.
The route is more than token though, with decent climb quota (albeit on tarmac), but worth it for the views and vistas we will get along the way.
Shade is welcome, gruppetto pace is declared by more than a few, and we have regular regrouping stops. Suprisingly we manage to avoid a second cheeky half at the hanging gate!?
Daytime views from the top of Croker highlight what we miss when we visit in the fridgid darkness of Feb, a striking line across the plains looks at first sight like a huge avenue – but is a line of pylons dead straight for miles. Further on there is a deep quarry, and the grassy descent to the double gate has a clear double track to the left hand side!
Plenty of spot the landmarks too – Cat, Teggs, Roaches, Leathers, Pott Lords, and the shiny silos at Sutton End Farm that seem to top the ridge in defiance of whatever the weather wants to throw at them.
Hay has been cut and many fields are lawn like and grippy, the downy bits seem quite tame without the slippery mud in the darkness.
Once down, Doog leads us through backways from Sutton to the Old Leek road, following a feeder channel to Sutton Reservoir though fields and woods much of the way.
Chez Doog, we make friends with their little border terrier, and quench our thirst with a selection of Bolly’s finest ales before being treated to a fabulous feast!
As the beers slide down, and the plates empty, the sun sets, the stars begin to appear, banter begins – a fine piece of auzzie narration has us crying with laughter. Doog tries to trick us with a Whisky tasting test (giving half of us the speyside, and half the Islay) confused by the differences of opinion we find we are mostly correct!
A full moon lights up the Eastern sky, and light the way for us to head off on what must surely be the warmest ride home ever. Despite the fresh dressing of Byrons Lane, there are no cases of gravel rash reported 🙂
Thanks to our generous host for a perfect evening!