Words by Alex, Pics by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Bern, Smiffy, Stunt
Pub: Dunc
Route: Top of Bull Hill lane, Tea rooms, along the wall decent top of Stakeside, Shooters Clough, Shrine climb, Pyms chair, Jenkin Chapel, Ewrin lane, Blaze Hill, Church House Bolly
Conditions: Unseasonably warm, southerly breeze, hill fog high up.
Notes:
Southerly airflows have brought a bubble of sub tropical warm air to our shores, tis 14 degrees on a November evening! The right clothing choice for the climb to the tea rooms is a base layer and optional gilet.
As per std protocol Smiffy is running late, and team acoustic set off in anticipation of a E assisted catch up later on.
The almost full moon (Beaver supermoon the night before) glides out from a bank of thick cloud to light up the landscape in silvery light. Smaller clouds cross it’s path making great shapes, and at various times one could see a crouching frog with the moon as its eye, and a jumping guinea pig (or maybe that was just me!)
Less fun were the grumpy commuters late for their tea whizzing by a bit too close for comfort.
As the tea rooms come into view, there is hill fog forming on the top, adding to the atmosphere.
It is a bit cooler with some breeze so an extra layer is added, no sign of Smiffy yet.
First part of the descent needs some care – the misty conditions meaning full powered lights not advisable, but we are out into the clear for the bulk of it.
Shooters clough super slippery, and once over the river – it continued to be streamlike!
At the Errwood hall crossroads all is still, we get some long exposure shots with out lights off, before crossing the stream and beginning the climb to the Shrine. Not too slippy, but it’s never an easy track to ride, plenty of pushing – but finally Smiffy completes the catch – and even he had a few moments on the E!
Time check at the street suggests that an Oakenbank finish may be beyond us, and Pete warns us of potholes at Jenkin chapel. We climb the top of the street then drop with some care – the right hand side of the road at the chapel is properly messed up!
Again perspiring on the climb out – it’s weird to be up high in the dark and not cold!
Plenty of hot brakes after the tarmac speedfest down into Bolly.
Citra all round, excellent food, Xmas do logistics agreed with the venue, and a guest appearance from Dunc! Smiffy shows rad vids of guys getting air and doing tricks – some of which were filmed in Stypersons and Ratboys patch behind.
Somehow it’s already whisky o’clock with a Jura for the road. Still 13C gone midnight!!