Crew: El Pres, Butty, Dunc, Slim, Stunt
Pub: Kersh
Route: Middlewood way Clark lane bridge, Clark lane, Redway lane, “under Nancy”, back of Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers
Conditions: Light rain, very muddy and epic puddles.
Notes:
With storm Cieran battering the south coast and swirling round to bring heavy rain all day – the forecast looked bleak early doors. A few brave souls committed to a later start and shortish ride to the pub.
Dunc suggested an under the bridge meet on the middlewood way to be out of the worst of it.
But lo the storm shifted south, and the rain edged away so by our 7pm meet it was just light rain.
Some urban artwork on the wall of the bridge, and just before we set off, three lady runners came down the ramp – and cheekily quipped “hiding from the rain boys?” – good banter!
More suprising was the barrage of fireworks going off somewhere to the West – a proper display – but why a Thursday night when the 5th is Sunday (and rubbish weather)!?
A bit of overheating on the steep climb “under Nancy” with a lot of waterproof layers in evidence, at the top its a bit misty – or maybe we are sort of in cloud?
The super wet conditions from earlier mean is super slippy on the grass and muddy tracks, plenty of slithering especially off camber.
Pete takes us up to an old mineshaft (or airshaft?) that had opened up in the second field, he had peeked town the other day and told of a brick lined shaft…but the coal board had been there first and capped it off :-(.
We pass a couple of the Nancy’s coming the other way before tackling the slope of doom! it’s no worse that what we have been dealing with already – but we all get caught out on the track out where front wheels suddenly dip into an unseen boggy bit – no off’s but lots of muttering 😉
Time to admire the number plate on the car parked opposite when we reach the road – 0007 CMB – call me bond? only on a golf mind you (or does it have Q division secret features?)
Huge patch of water across the whole lane just before Oakenbank – and wet feet as it was over the bottom bracket! Butty worries about his motor waterproofness!!
A blast down Oakenbank and into the Poachers – which is eerily quiet with just us, the two nancies and one couple in residence.
You get served quick at the bar though!
This weeks baguette of choice is the bacon and mozzarella, El Pres has a minor vinegar crisis (soon solved) and the stout is the beer of choice.
G (with doggie in tow) pops in, and a mini AoE fortifies us for a chilly damp ride home.