Words by Alex, photos by Pete
Crew: El Pres, Butty, Lee, PTD, Slim, Smiffy, Stunt
Pub: Dunc
Route: Swans Pool, Buxton Road, Ecton avenue snicket, Bibby’s lane, Hurdsfield Road, Well lane, Swanscoe Lane, Lidgetts lane, Kerridge Ridge & Trig, grassy descent to back of Kerridge, slope of doom and across to Rainow, Oakenbank, Bolly, Beeston Mount, Green Lane, Long Lane, Stypersons, Sugar Lane, Canal, Clarence Road, uphill to Church House.
Conditions: Mild but cold easterly wind picking up.
Notes:
A nostalgic inspired route tonight almost starts with a Barracks lane rendevous, but parents night at Puss Bank shifts us to Swans Pool instead. No bats in evidence sadly, but a nice night sky to admire.
Butty has had to rush over to make it on time, and in his haste has not managed to pack the steel cups! Panic not as the Co-op on Buxton road will provide.
First off is the Ecton avenue snicket – giving a very farmland vibe, and plenty of muddy splashes, we then head up Hurdsfield road and drop down well lane and up to Lidgetts lane. First challenge of the evening is the climb up towards the ridge – E bikes clean it, but acoustics are thwarted two thirds of the way up with the extra steep section with limited grip on one side.
Over the gate there is evidence of cows – big huge piles of evidence! it’s also wet and muddy – so the rocky rise remains untamed as the ebike rear wheels spin on the flat! some tricky pushing needed to get to the top of the ridge. Some time to admire the view from the trig where there is debate on where to stop for Lees Danish liquor surprise (too early here!)
Wet grass along the top and then diagonally down to the lower back of Kerridge track, and the slope of doom (not that doomy) past the stream and up to the Rainow road.
We do stop at the bench on Oakenbank before the final climb, and Lee proudly produces Fisk! luckily not a fish flavoured product – but more something that keeps the fishermen invigorated. We are promised hits of eucalyptus and liqorice from the dark liquid – what we get is Benylin 😉 it triggers cough medicine memories, very drinkable but somehow in our heads it doesn’t feel like it fits into the liqueur category. 5/10 for novelty and effort (sorry Lee).
What Fisk does have is an effect on our legs – even on a short climb, and then on our motor skills on the way down – no incidents – but a few white knuckles 😉
Route discussion at the end of Oakenbank ends in a tactical change to avoid the main road, we drop into Bolly then up again to Beeston Mount for another Fisk challenge – our sinuses are very clear and it is possible to clean it..if you have the legs!
A rare descent down green lane, then a gentle meander up Long Lane to the Styperson woods.
Team E attempt some of the milder Bryceland contours (with mixed success – Butty admits to an unplanned dismount) whilst team acoustic enjoy the rocky, rooty, watch your head left hand side snicket.
Route one along Sugar lane, onto the canal at the bridge, over the canal by Clarence mill, and up the main drag to the Church house as the wind is beginning to pick up.
We are issued with bin bags for the upholstery, served pints of smooth Citra, and enjoy excellent food.
Route options for the xmas do – where do we do the cocktails being the most important question!
Spooky house experiences are relayed, and Dunc arrives bearing news that all is well (Andrea had been in our thoughts tonight).
There is a team switch to Landlord, and then a smooth Jura before we head out into a damp and breezy evening. Next week we will see proper winter temperatures, and PTD is threatening to bring the Jagermeister out for the team tipple!!