Crew: Eric, El Pres, Slim, TJ, Doog, Dunc, Stunt.
Route: BackEddisbury Lane (bottom of the Zag), Windyways, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Lower Teggs, Smithy, reverse reservoirs, White Rabbit ascent, Nessit, White Rabbit decent, ressies, Sutton Hall.
Conditions: Mild, breezy, occasional rain showers.
Notes:
A day that had delivered a fair bit of sunshine and warmth finally succumbed to the forecasted showers just as folk were venturing to the bike. Too warm for full wets, a variety of tactics from waterproof top but std shorts, softshell top and waterproof trousers, or the TJ Tough Guy approach – short sleeved jersey and shorts!
A special ride as we welcomed Eric back for the evening, and in the spirit of TNR’s past we had no E bikes, 3 Orange 5’s, and one hardtail. News that Doog has sold his E having only ridden it twice in 6 months! (let’s hope that our E Banter did not put him off) and he is sporting a mint Trek hardtail bought of ebay from someone who may also have only ridden it a couple of times.
In the rosy light of the setting sun we head up the Zag and then up Charity, the late warmth having tempted out dandelions and other flowers in the verges (lots of ladybirds in the gardens today too).
Looking out across the plain at the start of Charity proper, moody skies, Winter hill blanketed in murk, but red aircraft tail lights clearly visible at Manchester airport, and debate over the patch of lights due west in the middle distance, Knutsford? Widnes?…Northwich says I having run a line across the map later.
The damper weather has transformed the loose stones/dust into a firmer surface as they settle into a nice bed of muddy soil. Lights definitely needed for the decent – and tonight feels like the first proper dark and damp winter ride, proper slithery in Narnia, and then the contrast with Hardingland which is always suprisingly dry!
Lower Teggs towards the Langley reservoirs lead rider sees two red deer hinds crossing over the track, and then climbing up towards the Smithy a pair cross over the lane too – the same ones doubling back? They weren’t that bothered by our presence or lights.
TJ has promised Whisky – bought with his first state pension cheque! and after a warm climb up to Nessit, its time to sample the Jura he has provided. He’s set a target to drink it all tonight, so we happily have a second nip, and then as relaxed conversation gets philosophical, a third!
We’ve not quite finished it, but decide that it might be best to head downhill and to the pub, someone decides that avoiding the normal downhill might be a good idea – so fast downhill on gravel with bends instead 😉 Good fun, and no offs! although Dunc did wonder where everyone went as he went the ususal way.
Reunited by the Smithy, route one to Sutton Hall.
El Pres is immediately spotted as the iPad destroyer..but it seems they have forgiven him (and secured the offending chalkboard). We are just able to order food in time (you might be able to book a table at 9pm – but you had better be there by 8:45 or the kitchen will close). Doog does a double Lucan and wishes us well, the rest of us wash down the (expensive compared to the Poachers) food, with Lucan, Disco Balls (a diaphanous IPA) or the wincle stout “Tastes like a coal fire” ..apparently that’s praise!
The cheekiest denim top and the strength of modern button thread distracts some, before we enter the zone of TR8’s, songs about trains (there are over 800 of them you know), Pete’s party lifestyle…oh and El Pres does pudding!
Venturing outside the weather has finally decided to get a little more serious, so that’s all the excuse needed to finish the last of the Jura before wobbling home in the strengthing rain. Although we got away lightly as by following morning over 40mm of rain had fallen from the coat tails of Storm Babet.