Words by Alex, Photos by Simon, Dunc & Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Dr S, Dunc, G, Stunt
Route: Top of Bull Hill Lane, Tea rooms, Stakeside, Shooters Clough, Shrine climb, Pym’s chair, Jenkin Chapel, Ewrin lane, Blaze Hill, Poachers
Conditions: Cold, Still, Hail/Sleet showers.
Notes:
Stunt declares a Goyt route with a Poachers finish. The weather is still not clement enough for some of our brethren, but we have six riders this week.
Scrutineering of El Pres’s new rear tyre (he’s stuck with Schwalbe – but a proper folding tubeless ready one). A welcome arrival of Dr S sporting red and black kit to match his red and black bike. New rear mudguard looks a neat design!
With G running late, and on an E powered chase we head off.
Simon’s photo
There are some breaks in the clouds after the showers earlier in the day, and plenty to see on the climb from lambs in the fields, patches of sunlight on hills, to Short eared owl hunting. There are skylarks singing, curlews crying, and if it wasn’t so darn cold it would be a beautiful evening!
At the tearooms we can see parts of the north wales coast! but to our right dark skies suggest that we may be in for a shower soon!
Simon’s photo
Stakeside is suprisingly dry – and a great downhill as a result. At the entrance to Shooters clough we can see hail coming our way, and don extra waterproofs whilst G catches us up.
The wet winter seems to have washed most of the mud off Shooters clough, and this too is in great condition!
Dunc’s photo
The steps down to the stream by Errwood have taken some serious punishment though, and they will be needing repair in a couple of places soon.
The ascent to the shrine is now tricky with sleet making the ground wet and slippy, still it’s rideable in lots of sections.
Dunc’s photo
We head inside the Shine to escape the precipitation, and Stunt lays out a birthday feast of Bourbon and Pork Pies (with Mustard from Pete). It’s a special place, and folks have come from far and wide to find it, and often leave momentos. We make our own small offering before heading out.
The skies have cleared, it’s not to far to Pym’s chair, and as we crest we are treated to a bright orange stripe across the sky! The pictures probably don’t do it justice, sharp sillouhettes on the horizon, sun glinting off the Dee estuary, and shafts of light angling from the heavens.
Spirits high (if legs a bit tired) we head down at speed, grind up to Ewrin lane (The dead mans stone is on the right as you ascend just after the first farm gate). Descending blaze hill the warm lights of bollingtonia are twinking in the valley.
We discover that Dr S has followed G up the cheshire corkscrew (they were both pushing – too slippy even with E power)
A warm welcome awaits in the Poachers, with Doubtless the ale of choice, Pie the pick of the food choices, and amazing videos of sealions and sharks in the galapagos from Dr S!
Dunc is jealous of those with smug jackets/gilets – he’s going to need a bigger backpack!
Tales of Schwalbe comms, victim blaming seems to be their first pitch!
The “Strong Mild” dark beer is pudding, and is so good a second is needed (in lieu of whisky)
Dr S is floating the idea of a TNR long weekend in the UK – watch this space.
A classic TNR evening, but bring on the warmer weather!!