Words & Photos by Pete
Crew : El Pres, Troll, Bernard, Dunc & Pete
Weather : chuffing cold but good snow for a bit of fun riding. -3c at least
Route : MC – Zag – Charity – Narnia – bench – Witch’s cottage- Leathers
Notes :
Chris’s Mum died last week, after clocking up a century last April. As the cliche goes – a fine innings.
I knew that he was keen on an in-ride “toast to the mother of the El Presidente” . A suitable circuit of the forest was commissioned.
On my way across from (the People’s Republic of) Upper Bollingtonia I had a wonderful tawny owl fly-over on Calrofold Lane. My head torch picked it up beautifully. Just magical, so silent.
It’s -3c , but fortunately the lanes are fairly clear of ice until I turned off cliff lane towards Back Eddisbury. Twitchy bum time.
It turned into a bit of a token ride but it was big on fun and atmosphere.
That winter certainty, Dunc on the Fortitude, was waiting for us at the start of Chazza. It was fun from here on in .
Some went left (traditional)side, some went right side (upper grassy, now a good few inches of snow and frozen and rutted bit) . It was a Ski Mtb experience . Such a laugh. I think the right hand side was the right answer !
Troll had announced lighting issues at our zag meet up but survives the ride ok . A Pavo lifeline plastic fixing bracket debate ensued
( The Troll’s second non OEM bracket had snapped )
Narnia was very atmospheric in snow , great light. It would be a crime not to ride in these conditions.
We stopped at the bench, and El Pres dished out Negronis. A toast to Jean , whose favourite tipple was this cocktail. It is a powerful and tasty concoction .
Main alcohol: Vermouth, Campari, Gin
Ingredients: 1 oz (1 part) Campari, 1 oz (1 part) Gin, 1 oz (1 part) Sweet red Vermouth
Preparation: pour from a re-used plastic 750ml bottle
Served: Al fresco in Narnia, Macc Forest
Standard garnish: a smidgen of rutted, frozen snow
Drinkware: Pete’s plastic cups
The steps descent to Witches cottage was more relaxed and entertaining as a consequence of a couple of Negroni. Pick your line and take your chances!
Only one gammon in the Leathers, battered whale for me !
We were out by 10:30, as John had electrical work starting at 6am the next day . Bloomin eck !
Glad I packed my Montane down jacket for the ride home.
Home before midnight !