Words by Alex, Pics by Pete
Crew: Troll, El Pres, Slim, Butty, TJ, Dunc, Smiffy, Stunt
Hot Lane: Ruth, Dr S
Route: Hot Lane, Top road, Newtown rd, Biddulph park rd, Pine lane, Gosberryhole lane, the Cloud, Gosberryhole lane, Bridestones, Biddulph park rd, Newton rd, Top rd, Hot lane.
Conditions: Dry trails, fairly clear skies, stiff breeze
Notes:
Troll declares a Biddulph Moor BBQ to tempt us into banjo country as the dry weather continues.
Logistics include arranging vehicles in the correct order for getaways (which is almost achieved first time)
Impressively we have seven riders ready to go before 6:30, with a rendevous with SmiffE (riding all the way over using his range extender). It could have all gone horribly wrong as our intrepid friend has ended up with his other half’s phone, and hence no direct access to group chat and live location!! But it’s an anti climax as we meet him on Top road within minutes 🙂
The ride plan is simple, head to the Cloud, and enjoy the trails in the woods. With dry conditions the windy woody ascent is a joy, and the rocky trail up to the Cloud is almost cleaned by Dunc!
At the trig there are some runners, walkers, and a couple of stripy tee shirt wearing lads on full susses who proceed to show their riding prowess with a lot of big air – whilst in close formation!
The wind is really cutting through despite the spring sunshine, so time to head down the other rocky trail back to the woods. Then swoopy berms and rooty bumps down to the bottom, another ascent..in which we somehow lose Smiffy (he’s lost a bit of his helmet and had gone back up to the trig to get it)..do the right hand side trail, find Smiffy again, then cross the main track for the really uppy downy flowy one.
Butty takes a poll re ascending for a third time, but to no avail, we retrace our route back to the road, and find it’s suprisingly downhill for a lot of the way. A short road section up to the megalithic Bridestones, with a crescent moon above, then road back to Hot lane for beer and BBQ.
Obligatory fruity cloudy ale in the mini keg, some Stout in the bottle, Leffe’s cooling in the bucket, logs on the firebowl, and watermelon and feta on the himalyan salt block for starters! Heaven on so many levels.
To fully enjoy the experience a “kenny coat” is needed aka smug jacket with hood, as the easterly breezes bite harder as the temperature falls.
Main course is a BBQ finished spit roast of chicken and gammon, with potatoes, salad, stuffing, and homemade chimmichurri! with fresh rolls. Yum.
Full bellies, inner glow from the beer, eclectic soundtrack on the sound system, and banter round the fire…all is good with the world (assuming you ignore the current state of the world).
El Pres and Smiffy are going to ride back, but we have had so much fun it’s almost midnight before they depart, and we leave the stayers to the selection of whisky that has suddenly appeared as if my magic.
Most excellent evening on all fronts, next time we promise to pop into cabbage cottage to see progress.