Words & Photos by Pete
Crew : Bern, Pete, Dunc, Butty & Troll
The Wharf: Ginny & Mark McD, Lee & his guitar
Route : Zag Bottom – Charity & Extension – Standing Stone – The Jungle path – Dan’s Bench – Butty’s Off Piste Route – Rezzies – Leathers – tarmac to the Wharf via V10 Noodle Bar
Conditions : It had just about stopped raining by the time we gathered at The Zag, Wet and puddly descent of Chazza , Misty bits hanging over the forest , wet from the Leathers to The Wharf
Notes :
I think our Bern’s quote is a good summary of this week’s ride and pub visit :
“ Slackers (ish) ride – wharf finish – noodles supper – Lee’s music! Well done to anyone who organised last night!!”
This episode of TNR began with a WhatsApp discussion “ We need a pub that lets you bring food in” after last weeks disappointment with some of the menu choices at the Vale .
“The Wharf ? ” suggests Dunc . Quickly seconded by Bern …and then we learn that Lee is performing there tonight as it Open Mic night on Thursdays . It is a done deal.
We gather at Zag (minus Butty who has opted for Van Assist mode) and the rain has just about abated. It has been a fairly damp day so far.
At the top of Zag, as we pause …Mr B appears in his van and after a quick discussion on parking options he heads off to try the Teggs “Rear Entry” option. Ooh Err Missus.
On the Oakenbank tarmac climb Bern streaks off in pole position , while I opt for the steady winch up option . “I like to get the steep bits out of the way asap” is the explanation I get at the top.
Wildlife moment #1 at the Forest Corner gathering – Bern has spotted a hovering Kestrel . We get a good view and then it dives , grabs something vole sized and flies off with its prey quite visible in its talons.
Library Shot (from Pym’s Chair 14th Sep 2022)
It feels a little strange descending Chazza when its damp ! I have seen it much wetter but I was glad of my waterproof shorts choice.
At Forest Chapel I found the rest of the crew doing a spot of bird watching :
Wildlife moment #2 : Chaffinch at the top of a telegraph pole, and a Coal Tit on the guttering of the stone barn .
The damp day has resulted in a large pool of water taking up most of the Chapel’s car park .
The Chazza extension is still very loose and rough …and I confess that my dab part way down turned into a momentary “lie down” .
We take the cheeky Singletrack that leads from the Shutlingsloe forest exit to meet S-bends to Nessit part way up, which I think of as “the jungle path” as it’s quite overgrown but good fun.
After a brief stop at Dan’s bench, Butty leads us on a three part off piste descent to the rezzies.
But only after he performs the Dan’s Bench Jive to get him in the right frame of mind.
The first part of the descent , I have to confess, I have never done before. It was an excellent balance between challenging and fun – without getting stupid.
It brought us out part way along a familiar downhill section, a hike back up and the start the next two bits. Both of which I had done before.
After the rezzies bit we find ourselves facing big United Utilities fences as they are working on the stuff after the dam. It’s raining quite steadily now .
A little bit of malarkey getting bikes over walls and we stop outside the leathers to don some protection from damp .
A wet descent to the V10 noodle bar , everyone buys their own . As I arrived Dunc is already tucking into his as the rest of us queue up to order.
Good nosh at a good price !
It was a timely arrival at the wharf – Lee had not yet started his set . Good beer , good sounds , plenty of space to eat our carry out. A winning formula that will be repeated.
And lo and behold Ginny & Mark arrived to boost the Axis of Evil , which was in danger of being just Lee & my bad self.
I left the Wharf at 11:50 pm !
Wildlife moment #3 – Badger on the towpath just before Bridge 33 on my return journey to Bollingtonia