Crew: El Pres, Slim, Dunc, Stunt
Pub: El Pud
Route: RB, Endon house climb, Lidgetts lane, back of Kerridge, Waulkmill wood, Poachers Snicket, Pott Shrigley, Bakestonedale road to layby, climb to Dale top, quarries descent, Moorside lane, Pott Shrigley, Poachers.
Conditions: Cool, damp & windy
Notes:
The fairweather riders had taken a look at the forecast and sent in their apologies (or photos from warmer climes) leaving a select band to fly the flag.
Assembling on the Middlewood matching hi vis waterproofs with blue or black leggings were the order of the day (although Dunc was overdoing the blue). But were we overdressed? as the precipitation had stopped and latest predictions were for it to stay that way.
A semi-recovery ride for half the team, so a modest route planned.
Despite the earlier rain ground conditions were firm and not very muddy (in fact there were dry patches under the trees in places).
Lots of dwadling dogs and slighly glum owners well wrapped up in the unseasonably cool evening were pottering along the snicket, and at the poachers an old chap being helped to a car by a younger relative took interest in the bikes – what’s that on the back? 11? it were 2 up front and 5 at the back in my day (we hope he enjoyed the memories)
Windy tonight, and any thoughts of a road climb to the Gritstone are quickly abandoned as beyond the layby was properly into wind and exposed. Even the off road route was getting head to cross, the marsh grass still low enough to see the line properly, but damp grass underwheel made for heavy going.
At the stile, the double gates just far enough apart to make it tricky to clear the pedals on the way down, Dunc left his hanging whilst he went up and over to get it from the other side.
Lots of new lambs about, so plenty of bleating going on across the moor.
Fierce headwind on the final climb to Dale top, yet the “view” mainly was low murk – Manchester not visible!
Sheltering behind a high wall some Laphroig is administered, we get positive reviews of the colloidal dressings used on Dunc’s roadrash, and in depth discussions on seat post construction.
The Nancy’s pass us by check we are ok, then smile at the whisky’ing.
Almost too cosy out of the wind, but we rouse for the descent before the light goes, it’s fast with the wind now behind us – anyone else like it better when the rocks are obscured by the vegetation?
Lights on for the final run in to the pub.
Tactical baguettes at £10 mean more money for beer! Pete succombs to the tap of doom, the Pirate ale is excellent, the stout good to finish on. Tonights conversations revolve around repurposing old water tank supports for a mobile workbench, solar and battery geekery, and wallpaper that you paste the wall not the paper (good luck with that Dunc!).
El Pud graces us with his presence having come hot foot from Marple where he’s been running an MDOC event. Tales of new technology unsettling the old guard but bringing in lots of fresh blood!
A Leffe axis of evil 😉