Crew: El Pres, Troll, Dunc, Butty, G, Slim, Stunt, Lee
Pub: Adrian & Biscuit, Ruth
Route: Bolly Maze, canal wiggle to Hurst Lane, Jackson Lane, Redway Lane, Nancyside lane, North Farm, Waulkmill wood, Ingersley Vale, Poachers Snicket, Oakenbank, Jumper Lane, Blaze Hill, the broken road to Bakestonedale road, Gritstone past Sponds, main track by the wall to Dale Top, whale’s tooth descent to the layby, Pott Shrigley, Vale.
Conditions: Warm, humid and windy
Notes:
No Jumbo ride this week, but an old school classic with a Bolly start and finish!
Short sleeves weather, but broody clouds and a lot of humidity – kept in check by a stiff breeze.
At the maze we are amazed that G arrives and on time! We relive the rock bashing trailside maintenance of last week to much amusement…although no surprise that Dunc is on his long and slack hardtail this week as the Kona wheel rebuild is still awaited.
Our salad dodging friend is in charge of the route, with pre-ordered food at the Vale setting our timeline.
As we pootle along the canal there are diggers in barges, and men in yellow drysuits in the water under the bridge putting in the blanking planks…looks like the viaduct section might be about to be partly drained? Dunc worries about the impact on the canoe racing over the next couple of weeks.
We have to detour around a slightly startled pony being walked up the top of grimshaw lane, who was clearly not expecting a gaggle of bikers to appear from Hurst lane.
G is manfully not using his motor in a display of E-masochism – and does crest Nancyside lane on meat power alone.
Lots of walkers about and the puppy training class is in Ingersley vale again (we must be getting to be a regular distraction for them to deal with).
The recent rain has led to a spurt of undergrowth – the brambles on Oakenbank starting to make their presence felt.
G manages Kiskhill lane with no motor (just) and declares his ‘ism is satisfied.
Climbing Blaze hill we are getting exposed to the wind, corvids are wheeling in the breeze and the meadow flowers rippling, yet all is good as it’s a warm wind, and it will be helping us climb 🙂
Top of blaze hill a black audi comes up the closed section, the white haired driver winds down his window and tells us that it “really is blocked a mile down there” quite why he was surprised and why he had ignored the signs we’re not sure, but he had the look of someone who has “opinions” 😉
Of course it is open to walkers and cyclists and we enjoy traffic free tarmac – with wind assist up to Bakestonedale road. The Bolshaws boys must be busy at the moment as only 12 trailers parked up, vs about 20 a few weeks ago.
More wind assist up the gristone past the 1975 stone, and Sponds (we decide to leave the ewes and lambs to it again in appreciation of the farmers daughter’s request the other week). New fencing along the ridge line – with the old posts and wire in a bonfire like pile sillouhetted on the skyline.
Nice new gate at the wall – but now getting the wind from the side all the way to Dale top.
The bomb hole (must be uttered in a peter sellers inspector cluseau accent!) is rimmed by the E C*#ts before checking out the wall the other side of the singing gate – which is sheltered enough for our Troll birthday treats.
Old fashioned cocktail with slices of orange, and homemade pork, apple and prune sausage roll with hand latticed pastry!! Spoiling us you are with your birthday feast 🙂
We are also treated to wonderful skylark melodies and great views.
Lee finally catches us up, and brings tales of Swedish gravel delights from his recent trip following the Kattegaten route from Malmo to Gothenburg.
The Nancies pass by, and we have confirmation that they are actively trying out alternatives to the Poachers.
Time for our own revisit of the Vale (last visited over 2 years ago!), passing the village cricket game on the rec on the way.
Bolly ales always a delight, most locks on the bike stack ever? Seven locks for 8 bikes!?
Gammon excellent, the beans and pie brigade less impressed. Lee continues tales of scandinavia, and the dangers of imbibing too much hotel coffee and saddle sitting – blocks the energy flow of your lower chakra IFKWIM 😉
The solution (according to the karma-lycra) is a daily energy release ritual using the buhha’s three fingered hand whilst performing the elephant trunk deep bow. News to most of us (but good to know), Dunc admits he has had the secret knowledge for many years!!
Adrian and Biscuit make a welcome appearance – and Biscuit gets the biggest dog treat ever from the bar staff!
Ruth arrives as we are ordering the pudding stout round, and the AoE do the reasonably priced Jura and Laphroig.
We wish the Troll well with his screed delivery in the morning.
No coats needed on the way home and a superb crescent moon to appreciate!