Crew: PTD, El Pres, Slim, Bern, Butty, Croxy, Dunc, Eric, G, Lee, Mark McD, Smiffy, Stunt, TJ, Troll
Pub: Adrian, 3 Sheds, Mawds, Coley
Route: Zag, Teggs to Cocktail Bench, reverse to back eddisbury/cliff lane/calrofold lane, Lidgetts/Windmill lanes, Redway climb to “under Nancy”, Ingersley vale, Church House Bolly.
Conditions: Damp, cold & murky
The annual gathering of the clan is a bit earlier than usual as various members are off for cheeky early season skiing. However a good turnout it is, and we even have dispensation from Eric for a double digit groupetto.
Christmas spirit awards go to El Pres with his backpack mini santa, TJ with some tinsel, and most effort from Stunt with twinkly lights on the bike and a full elf outfit (fully visible once the waterproofs come off)
The weather gods are toying with us, with rain all day allegedly due to stop as the ride starts… but straggly showers get everyone wet, and there is a lot of surface water.
By the top of the Zag we are into hill fog, so some care needed around Teggs to arrive at the Cocktail bar safely. Mixmeister PTD kicks us off with a classic Aperol Spritz (as Lee failed to taste one on his Italy ride a couple of months back)
This is followed by another italian classic – the Bombadino (rum & advocaat topped with whipped cream)
These mini marvels were fun – and a challenge to lick clean the shot glasses – a big hit, most came back for a second and third!
Time for a little bit of riding to warm back up, across to Kerridge and the stone bench below White Nancy, dodging delivery vans as we go.
Here Butty provides a Grappa (a decent one too), PTD unpacks the famous Jackie’s mince pies, and pours the Green Goblin! It looks like concentrated fairy liquid, but of course tastes wonderful – Brandy, Blue Curaco and Pineapple juice make it sweet and deceptively smooth.
Somehow it’s already nearly 8:30, so time for the descent into Ingersley Vale (with Nanny State Pete warnings of slippy surfaces near the bottom) then a turn up into Church street to the aptly named Church House.
Another surprise awaits as we shed waterproofs – Smiffy has been wearing a lurid mankini all this time (thankfully over the top of his riding clothes!)
We have the big room with two long tables, challenge the bar staff with almost 20 pints of ale each round (they are worrying about having enough glasses), and then sit down for our three course festive fayre.
El Pres has a master list of who has ordered what to ensure no unnecessary chaos, as the hubbub of catching up and the fug of damp kit gently drying fill the room (the radiator was actually on – plus a fan heater too).
Great to see Adrian, Mr Ball, Mawds & Coley ….Dr S and Nic you were missed.
The food is excellent, beers keep flowing, numbers whittle down, the usual suspects have some expertly negotiated whisky and it’s close to the witching hour before we head out into the cold, passing gritters on the roads home.
Thanks to El Pres for the organisation, and PTD & Butty for the in ride refreshments!