Words by Alex, Photos by Pete
Crew: Slim, Butty, Dr S, Lee ,Smiffy, TJ, Stunt
Route: Bolly Maze, wiggle over the canal, Hurst Lane, Bulls Head, Redway lane, under Nancy, North Farm, back of Kerridge and Waulkmill wood, Ingersley vale, poachers snicket, oakenbank, kiskhill/jumper lane, blaze hill, the broken road, bakestonedale road, gritstone, Sponds, Dale top, moorside lane, bakestonedale road, Pott Shrigley, Bolly Church House.
Conditions: Still, dry, cool later.
Notes:
With the President away, Pete gets in quick to declare a Bolly finish and a recce of the broken road – with news of impending repair work.
All the talk at the maze is of clothing choice – tis 11 degrees to start, suggesting it will be cool later, but there is little wind, so once again it’s all about layers!
Lee is back in the camp after his Italian escapades so we start swapping tales of Coniston and the Appenines.
We wind our way up through Bolly to Nancyside lane enjoying the last of the evening light, pretty firm on the back of Kerridge and down waulkmill wood, but lights needed from Ingersley vale on.
Collecting Smiffy at the Poachers (he nearly got a cheeky half in!) it’s up Oakenbank to the hooting of Tawny Owls (at least three individuals) and the easy chatter of E*unts.
The closed road looks rather identical to last time we saw it, the plans include a pedestrian/cyclist temporary bridge during the 6 months + rebuild – but no sign of any activity yet.
Lee has promised us an Italian classic tipple, so at the 1975 stone we are treated to the syrupy sweetness of some Amalfi Limocello – with cups arranged ceremonially on the plaque at some of our favourite riding spots and landmarks.
It goes down smoothly, and some folks help Lee with seconds to empty the bottle.
Fast on the grassy down and ups across to Dale Top, with a distinct absence of sheep, which feels a bit weird.
Lee gets to the singing gate (very silent tonight) only to realise he’s lost his specs somewhere between Sponds and Dale top – the little drop off by the line of stones the most likely culprit.
He and Dr S head back in search of the missing item, whilst the rest take a choice of quarry or whales tooth descent, meet up at the end of Moorside lane, and take route one back into Bolly and the Church house for the pre booked food.
We arrive ahead of the Nancies and get our first beers in – Landlord or Citra, Cruzcampo for the fizzy brigade.
Lee and Simon arrive in time for the food, no luck in locating the lost glasses, and blaming Limoncello 😉
Smiffy poses for a mug shot, we get the low down on Milan to Rome – which was quite eventful! TJ’s part Lejog, and folk’s other news – the Bull in Kerridge has new landlords…
This week we are pretty well controlled on the pints front, but succomb to a cheeky Jura at the end (some controversy when the bill said Bells!!)
Dark riding is the new normal, but it was not cold tonight – Nancies agreeing with being overdressed in conversation at the bar.