Words and photos by Pete
Crew : Simon, PTD, Dunc, El Pres, 3Sheds , Butty, Pete, Smiffy
Pub : Alex, Adrian & Biscuit
Conditions: cloudy , very warm and muggy . Still 19c as we leave the pub.
Route : RB – Cenotaph – Quarry path – Trig – Lidgetts Ln – Calrofold Ln – Mini Forest – GT – Teggs – Bottoms Rezza – King’s Head
Notes :
This week’s ride formula was start low and North-ish , and climb Southwards-ish and end in Langley.
The Northern Posse friendly start point at RB was to cater for my late afternoon return to Bollingtonia – thanks, Chris !.
The plan had a slight hiccup though – before we even started the ride – when Dr S discovered that the Leathers was shut when he tried to park up there.
“ That explains why they weren’t answering the phone!” .
Plan B – The King’s Head – 8:30pm . The menu is emailed to Chris .
Back to the ride itself :
Simon is on a new (to him) alloy hardtail 29er , replete with new tyres ready to tackle the Traws Eryri route next month
Chris has still not sorted out his steerer tube! …despite me returning the requisite fettling kit to him six days earlier ! Yellow card.
The meeting Smiffy mid-ride game felt very uncomplicated this week . He just appeared on the Kerridge Ridge as we descended after the Trig !
We stopped at the gate to the mini forest/plantation at the top end of Cliff Lane . Chris sorts out the first version of the food orders , Butty gets absorbed photographing two insects in flagrante delicto . Another sign that he is so definitely back-in-the-room.
The track through this mini forest has a certain charm – you have to work at the climb , but it is calm and secluded with a hint of overgrown neglect. A feeling that its a bit naughty sneaking our way through here . Your reward is topping out the climb with such a great view (on the Gritstone Trail path) , and at this time of year the fields are proper meadows .
On reaching Tegg’s we realise the clock is ticking , and refreshment in Gurnett beckons . We wind our way through Teggs on the track that leads past the abseiling wall , and then it is off piste down to Bottom’s Rezza . The top half of the descent is dry, dusty and fast . The lower section is wet, squelchy and squirmy ..a big contrast and you have to engage brain to get down in one piece.
Alex awaits us in the Pub. And, as ever, the food , beer and service are excellent .
Smiffy must have decided he had not caused enough drama for the evening – so he decided to leave his phone on the table in the pub. The TNR wider support team swings into action – comms are sorted to Smiffy-base-camp and El Pres takes charge of the precious smart phone !
I can’t recall who chose the whisky (I am writing this a week after the ride itself !) but I have a vague recollection that it was Japanese – and quite tasty !
El Pres decides that a puffa jacket is essential for his short ride home …even when it is still almost 20c at midnight !