Crew: Butty, Dunc, Slim, Stunt
Route: Zag, Charity, Extension, Nessit, Kings Head
Conditions: Cold with a baltic wind, occasional showers.
Notes:
Butty provides the motivational kick we need (to shrug off the seasonal slumber) with a suggestion of a daytime ride. Despite the assorted familial duties there is a window of opportunity for a mid afternoon start for a small core of the TNR.
Forecast is dry, but dark clouds are scudding about in the strengthening breeze as we set off for the RV at the zag, and light rain chases some of us all the way up before it blows through.
No route has been pre planned, an initial classic Cat/Danebower/Chumby is vetoed by Pete – who has found the climb up to the start tougher than expected (and is blaming a dodgy sausage from his brunch).
We opt for Charity and the forest instead. At the end of the tarmac the views to the west give a good idea of the incoming weather, there are clearer patches, but also murkier ones too…one thing we can’t yet see is Pete..but eventually his bright green helmet appears with Butty shepherding him along.
The man is struggling, and not looking a good colour, his plan to ride through the nausea has not worked…and matters rapidly escalate with a full on chunder situation. It was probably what he needed, and also the signal for him to admit defeat and head for home.
Now down to three and with some more rain incoming, we climb charity (4×4’s have churned up the RHS bridleway), by the top the precipitation is flecks of snow! Chazza descent is muddy, slippery and wet, the extension has a section of what is best described as “Rubble” just after the mid point drop off, but after that a new RHS line has been established which negates much of the former babies heads patch.
It is bitter in the wind, but Butty has a tipple to toast the new year in, and we pool suggestions as to where we can stop that is more sheltered than the normal spots. We find it on the track from Standing Stone to the S Bends, at a bench lower down where the trees have grown to block the original views.
Overhead the skies have cleared for a while, and the sunset is catching contrails with streaks of pink.
We imbibe some fine italian Grappa, check comms to confirm that Pete has made it home safely, and agree to continue the route to Nessit then straight to the pub.
Which pub is an interesting question..Butty had posted that he had booked a table at the St Dunstans..but he has a niggling suspicion that the phone number was not right. Some quick checking confirms that we do have a table..but at the Kings Head!
Top of Nessit has fine views in the last of the daylight, the benches have been well used over the festive period – all the grass is now mud! We are right in the teeth of the breeze though, so off down the MTB track (watch out for the fallen tree just past where the DH course cuts across), and along the usual trails to the road. Lights needed on the road and into the warmth of the Kings head.
Inception or Landlord, and hearty food needed to warm up. Geeky conversation on home automation, table service, and good planning with warm dry gloves for the ride home.
2026 season TNR season now officially open….and the tarmac section of Charity can now be christened “Chunder Hill” 😉