Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Dr S, Troll, Dunc, Stunt
Pub: Lee, Croxy, Butty, Ruth
Route: Rainbow Bridge, Cenotaph, Lidgetts Lane, back of Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank, Pott Shrigley, Bakestonedale road to layby, Cat mine diorama, descent to Moorside lane, Birchencliffe, Shrigley Lane, Long Lane, Beeston brow, Poachers.
Conditions: Low cloud, occasional light rain, very wet trails.
With Buxton weather quoting “Wow 55mm of rain in 36 hours” and grey skies the morning TNR planning chat was where can we ride that is not underwater!
Pete suggests a route that has plenty of bail out options, and with reminders to wrap up warm – it’s 9 degrees – but will be cooler and windier on the hills, we gather six riders for our weekly ritual.
No beetle releasing at the rendevous this week, but we get Dunc still on the rigid Fortitude having had sweet dusty gravel trails in wales at the weekend. Stunt has also stuck with his “swampthing” again and team tythy are keeping it old skool with real steel and no suspension.
A grand bit of fencing and gravel is newly installed from the gate at the canal to the double track – then its splashing through the puddles, and looking across to see Kerridge Ridge in the cloud!
It’s not actually raining that much, but everything is soaking wet and the air is cold and clammy.
The sheep on the back of Kerridge don’t seem too bothered though, and maybe the extra rain has washed the worst of the mud away on the trail.
We are under strict orders not to divert into the Robin Hood (two weeks in a row would cause a dangerous precedent) – the thought of having to endure Rainow Ukele seemed to do the trick and we were straight through to do Oakenbank.
Some route debate concludes that we should head up – but only to the “lowest high bit”. Once off the road at the layby (and after a brief faff from Stunt to sort jumpy rear mech) there is a short lived attempt to get up the beavers creeks descent in one go (Dunc reminded us that he and G did manage it many years ago on lightweight carbon steeds).
Soon we are in the cloud, a solitary tree looms in the field to our left with more soggy sheep gently grazing. The scene brings out some poetic ramblings inspired by radio 4 quiz shows (none of which i can recall), we show Dr S the diorama inside the cat mine trig shaped monument (Pete can see it glint in the sunshine from his house on a good day). Today we are wiping off the moisture from the perspex to see the little scene inside! (Photo above)
Tis a wet grass and slippy rock descent, then a good wheel wash to remove sheep poo and mud from tyres down Birchencliffe. A time check and the slight increase in the rain drives a consensus to miss our Stypersons and head straight down Long lane and minimise the climb to the Pub.
All evening we have seen lush growth coming at us from the hedgerows and trailsides, but the descent to Beeston Brow sees very low branches which rearrange the odd helmet on the way down!
20:20 hrs we are locking up in the Poachers, and we seem to have timed it well, no other bikers in, and we get our food and beer order in just before others arrive.
Nancies didn’t ride shocker! although the other little group has also braved the elements.
A night of many pub only attendees – Lee gets extra points for riding here (and getting the worst of the weather too), Croxy drove and arrives with tales of Snowdonia multi day walking, Butty brings ribaldry, and Ruth grace and charm.
Dr S has seen Eric Clapton a the new Co Op live arena – apparently very nice and easy to get to via the tram from Piccadilly station. There are co-op shops there and you can get a sandwich for a very reasonable price! Clapton is 79 now, and his warm up act Andy Fairweather Low “oh I know him he’s played with everyone – and had that one hit…what’s it called?” 73 was very impressive and natty in a pin stripe suit whilst belting out the rock legends on his electric guitar! ( later google tells us that Amen Corner were no 1 in 1969 with “If paradise was half as nice”)
With election talk Count Binface gets a mention – we like to keep it serious 😉
We had no eBikers with us tonight, but i have to report there was talk of the devil at the table!!
The 6% wincle dark ale becomes pudding beer for the bad ones, and a mini AoE goes Leffe.
It’s raining harder on the way home than on the main ride, soggy three wrings
Next week we are in Banjo country hosted by Troll, fingers crossed for better weather.