Crew: Butty, TJ, El Pres, Slim, Dunc, Troll, Stunt
TJ’s: Lee, G, Enid ,Sophie & Winnie, neighbour Paul
Route:
Conditions: Cold and clear, damp and muddy trails.
Notes:
TJ has invited us to his post ride for a chilli and firepit night as a birthday celebration.
Butty has devised a route taking us much further north than we normally range…
Tis unseasonably chilly with occasional showers, but having gather the posse on the Middlewood we strike out towards Lyme park West gate via Shrigley lane, and get our first sights of some wonderful views to the west with the low sun and dark clouds.
We have to stop and appreciate it all the way through Lyme, as the cage is sillouhetted against the slow burn of the orange sky, and the brooding clouds over manchester. Throw in a few people, birds and planes and it’s a photographers wet dream!
TJ reminds us that we still have a long way to go (he’s not wrong), so passing the deer herd we head out of East park gate, to Green lane, Long lane, across the Old Buxton road (Disley version), Greenshall lane (baby’s head descent?) and onto the Peak Canal past Swizzels (and an unmistakable aroma of sweet hearts) before cutting across to the Torrs for some twisty little loops by the river.
Marvelling at the bridges and old structures, the Torrs hydro screw is not going today (not enough water??), punters sipping drinks in the windows of the Torr vale tap (cheeky pint says Troll!), before we traverse the Millenium walkway and into the now dark woods.
Long climb up to Brook bottom road to “the bench” where more amazing views frames by the hills – Winter hill’s vertical lights sitting above the band of red skyscraper tops lights of Manchester centre.
Long (and fast if you were brave) descent from the Fox pub down to Strines staion.
Route and time discussion (we are not time limited tonight) so onwards and upwards we go to do “hole 2” ..cue much banter…A dirty and narrrow chute that cuts across the golf course’s second hole.
We are getting some training on winter riding tonight with slippy and muddy conditions – but also discovering some old school singletrack delights as well.
After another inevitable climb (Butty had foolishly told us that there were only two left…he lied) and tricky stile bike lift, a bit of fatigue is setting in. Troll tries to ride off on the wrong bike, and TJ thinks he has lost his having stopped to message Enid on an ETA.
All is resolved very quickly, and we are on the way back, cutting through the edve of High lane, for some great little trails through fields and copses “good serial murder country” mutters someone!
Mucky but happy we emerge onto the Middlewood by the station (and for the first time since Lyme park everyone knew were we were!). Minutes later – and after a jumbo 3.5 hour ride we are at chez TJ!
Fire bowl lit, smug jackets and hats on, and beers in hand we have earned a sit down.
Joining us are neighbour Paul (one of the Bike smithy riders0, who has just returned from a bikepacking trip to the outer hebrides and west highland way. Lee arrives two pints to the good from the local hostelry, and G arrives with tales of Portugese and Swiss road bike adventures.
Enid has done some amazing chilli and rice, with Naans (as well as tasty tatziki and nachos) which require second helpings to replenish the calories burnt on a long ride. Sofie and Winnie try their best to get a taste from discarded plates as Enid tries her best to get them back and away from the fire.
Aldi firebowls have a 5 year life – as the bottom corrodes through and deposits the embers onto the stone below! It does give us warm feet for the rest of the night 😉
An amazing night for stars – crystal clear and still, Plough, Cassiopea and even the Pliades easily identified. At least three shooting stars seen too.
Whisky with an e is provided as the witching hour approaches, Bushmills is beautifully smooth, and we hear distant bells chiming midnight.
Eventually those not staying decide they must move, and layer up for a chilly ride home.
Lots of badger action tonight – Butty had one run in front during the ride, Lee reports one sighting on his ride home earlier, four more confirmed on the Middlewood by the main group, and another from El Pres once he turns off by AZ. So 7 badgers in one night – surely a TNR record!?
An absolute beauty of a ride in every sense, thanks to TJ & Enid for hosting – we must venture north more often!!