Crew: El Pres, Slim, Croxy, 3 Sheds, McD, Stunt, Butty, Troll, Dunc, G, Bern
BBQ Druid: Doog
Conditions: Warm , gentle breeze, dusty dry trails
Notes:
With the solstice fast approaching Doog the Druid summons the tribe to an annual feasting ritual in the forest.
El Pres leads the ceremonial procession with the core brethren meeting at the bottom of the zag (including inspection of Croxy’s eGravel bike – which could easily pass as an acoustic).
Collecting Butty at the start of Charity, Troll at the bottom, and Dunc and G at the tearooms.
Trail conditions are dry loose and rocky – plenty to concentrate on.
The slog up to the tearooms doesn’t feel as hard as last week (no evil headwind), but the Curlews are still there vocalising “Get off my land” in nesting season.
Pete gets out the big camera for big shots!
Croxy’s e machine is rapid across Danebower hollow – but the peleton mainly turn right across the moor and down the steep bits to the waterfall. Stunt and Croxy negotiate the top of Chumby (no sheep related incidents this week) and we regroup.
Cumberland brook is almost totally gone – a few damp stones here and there. Full marks to Croxy for getting down it all so smoothly!
Stunning purple rhododenrons blaze across the hillside in wildboarclough, where we find a wandering Bern.
One last climb up to standing stone and along to ferriser…
Lounghing at the base of a tree is the Doog with a stack of cold beers, BBQ’s under careful supervision, and a big smile!
It’s not just any old BBQ, it’s M&S BBQ food, and if that wasn’t middle class enough for you, the Troll whips out his artisan homebrew keg with gas assisted delivery of session IPA into proper glasses!
and for a final flourish Magnums – still in one piece and delicious.
A warm night and big notices re fire risk mean we don’t do a campfire, but we do need to huddle round the BBQ trays as we get some quite strong adiabatic winds (which do keep the bugs away)
Controversy as El Pres puts both his smug jackets on straight away (do we call him 2 Coats now?) and appears to renege on a promise at the start of the ride to Croxy (who forgot his extra layer). El Pres maintains that the offer was of his spare windproof, Croxy is unimpressed – but made of tough Yorkshire stuff braves it out in T shirt and refuses all other offers!
There is Whisky to follow, some winters gold from the Troll and Glen Marnoch (Isaly) from the Doog. Which temp G to stay just as he’s heading off (right answer – life is too short to miss opportunities like this)
Ribaldry and mirth is rife, much about sheep 😉
There is still light in the sky as we tidy up, use the last of the camelbacks to ensure there is no chance of burning the forest down accidentally, and head home – some via the South face of Charity!
No gravel related incidents reported this year.
We worship out chief Druid – who has surpassed himself this year (and all for £13!!!) Top job Doog!!
An evening where everything was just right! aka the Goldilocks zone.