Route : BL – Tea Rooms – Shining Tor – Hooleyhay Lane – Dead Man’s Hill – Blaze Hill descent – the Church House (Bolly)
Conditions : Clear & Cool. Cold wind on the tops.
Notes :
Eric friendly team size
Good , dry weather but a bit coolish
Ribaldry zone had kicked in at the first lay-by on the C& F road …can’t recall exactly why ?
Stunning sunset as we climbed from the Tea Rooms with the Curlews on full song as well !
Excellent decision to do the Shining Tor to Hooleyhay Lane route. It was delightfully dry and flowy.
I had a minor bit of tyre pressure faff before the final drop to Hooleyhay lane – much to the amusement of all as I was having to put back in some I had taken out. faffing cubed ! Doh.
Soon after our exit onto Hooleyhay Lane …. we had an impromptu meeting with two local farming chaps in a rather gnarly Mk1 Land Drover Discovery
They seemed to be rather worked up about their sheep getting spooked by our lights …
Mr I stood his ground , views were exchanged and then we moved on. Fortunately without further incident.
And quite liked the ratty-ness of their old , but modded Mk1 Disco.
At 8:40pm we were looking at the Lamaload car park and pondering the route to the pub – but via the Lamaload access road was not going to be viable in the time we had left.
Butty had already dialled in a 5 x Haddock & Chips order to the Church House – for just after 9pm.
A quick burst of energy to get us over Dead Man’s hill and we are descending happily towards the happy valley 🙂
Three beers and a dram for most . Food ok, service pretty good but a bit short on ambience in the back room.
Chilly on the return home under a crescent moon ? .
Crew: El Pres, Slim, Butty, Bern, Coley, Mr Inc, Dr S, Croxy, Stunt
Pub: Nick & Dunc
Route:
Rainbow Bridge, Endon House Climb, Lidgetts Lane, Back of Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank Lane, Pott Shrigley, Bakestondale Road to Layby, Dale Top, Quarry Descent, Birchencliffe, Shrigley Road, Sugar Lane, Vale Inn.
Conditions: Warm & Dry, cool later
Notes:
The summery weather bring out some seasonal members, plus the alpine season is drawing to a close so almost double figures on the ride!
With likely dry trails a northern moors with bolly finish is organised by Gap yaar Pete with pre order at the Vale for 8:45.
Route needs to work on a two hour loop with a RB start, so its straight over the canal to work our way across to Kerridge. Much coughing and spluttering from the Troll who is in the final throes of a snotfest.
Lights needed by the time we get to the shonky gate, and lo the trails are dry…well apart from the muddy bit on the slippery slope of doom down to the stream and across the the Rainow road. That causes the odd dab!
Last of the sunset giving just enough light to see the bats whizzing back and forth, and that particular smell of burnt hair from a shed at the start of Oakenbank suggest a farrier may be at work on hooves?
Very fast downhill, a quick stop to regroup and straight through to Pott Shrigley and up past the brickworks.
Close cropped grass, and mainly dry means we can actually see the trail up to the stile – and avoid getting lost in the boggy bit on the way for once!
Clear skies mean rapidly falling temps, so some extra layers donned, and a final effort to climb up the grassy slopes to Dale Top.
Superb views, and some time to admire them too.
Up and down along the ridge – setting off a badger in the process, then down the quarry descent which was excellent.
Lack of maintenance Klaxon!!! Butty has not properly repaired his tyre since last week, and the emergency plastic shield has moved during the ride..inner tube gets pinched and he has another flat. His defence is that he’s not been about to sort it…
Team splits into A & B, a surprisingly wet splash on the lane to Birchencliffe, before a road ride down Sugar lane to the Vale.
TNR first – bikes locked to skip!
All the bolly ales are good, with Eastern nights winning on flavour, and White Nancy on sessionability. Pies sadly a bit dry (smug mode from burger boys).
Pub is almost full, also with some other bikers some of whom we know.
The ribaldry twins arrive to lower the tone, much chat and catching up with those who’ve not been with us much over the winter (good to have you back chaps!)
Route: BL, New Road, Tea rooms, Cat, Danebower Hollow, Cumberland Clough, Standing Stone, Lower Ressie loop, Sutton Hall
Conditions: Mild, Dry, some puddles
Notes:
Finally a day after the spring equipnox, and the super worm moon, a TNR of no wind, no rain and not cold!!
Time to reconnect with the wider environs of our territory and aim for 3 Shires!
Butty has a brakes faff and arranges to RV with us en route, the rest of us gather at BL and head off uphill in the last of the light.
Birds are singing, the odd insect buzzes towards our lights, and the first star is bright low in the South East (Arcturus?), and there is chat and philosophical conversation about the third age!
A check of live location at Bull Hill shows we are still ahead of Butty, so we press on and assume he will catch us up. Passing Charity lane we start hearing curlews and skylarks, and coming up the hill to the Lamaload turn we catch sight of a super bright shooting star going directly away from us..so it looked like something falling fast straight down.
Butty catches us well before the tea rooms, where we pause before doing the off road climb. A windproof is needed by the Cat, but that’s all, as its not cold.
Danebower is puddly but surprisingly dry considering the rain we’ve had this month! Its fast and loose from the gate to the end, where new fencing is keeping out the motos (for now).
Butty has a hissing rear tyre..which he says should seal (it has the last three ride)..but is promptly let down on the road, and bails into the layby for a tube..as the hole is now way to big for the sealant to deal with. Stunt supplies a patent inner tube protector (another milk container will need to be butchered this week 😉 ).
The faffing means there is not now time for 3 shires, and we carry straight onto Chumby , where some of the wall by the gate is in need of rebuilding.
Trail is again dry (with a hint of greasiness on the edges to keep you on your toes!) but chunky!!
A toast to spring at the gate with some Winters Gold, before braving the cold waters of the brook section..Butty decides to take the dry but perilous high side (aka the sphincter line), whilst others take the watery route.
No bails on the ford at the bottom we are pleased to report.
Slightly tired legs on the climb to standing stone, a quick call to Sutton Hall to ensure we will get food, then a blast down the road and quick divert left round past Bob’s bench to the Smithy. A new game called frog-zag is to be played here as the amphibians are out again for spawning. Butty rescues one cute couple on the way up, we try our hardest to avoid them all going down!
Mild shock at a Croxy at the Bar moment when we arrive, left over from the Golf AGM apparently, but good to see him all the same. A choice of session ales, with the blonde being a good first pint.
Dunc joins us before the food arrives, and is definitely the cause of ribaldry this week..we’ll never think of Karaoke the same way again!! …and apparently there are repeats of the professionals on TV ..for when you are being less than when WFH 😉
Winter season formally closed ..but still cold on the way home…and Dunc loses his chain at a critical moment by Tescos, and cleverly used the cast iron railings to catch himself as he goes over his handlebars in low speed full comedy (wish I’d caught it on a headcam) moment! Thankfully railings and bike both fine..there could be some bruises in the morning though??
Route: Meet Prestbury Church Porch, Chelford road to the Wizard, Down through Alderley Edge Village, out on Brook lane to the Oakwood, Knutsford road for the Bird in Hand, and the Roebuck and Bulls Head.
Conditions: Cool & dry, rain post pub
Notes:
Another wet & windy week! the thought of a third TNR restricted to the rocky trails of the forest triggers some lateral thinking…staying low on the road with plenty of refreshment!
The small crew available (numbers down due the draw of the Alps, and the reach of the lurgy) are all in agreement…a plan is hatched.
We keep it simple and manageable..five pubs by 9pm then food.
A mini Wobberly Mobberly inspired route is planned by Stunt (using commuting and old RAI training ride knowledge)
A new meeting point in Prestbury works well (although Butty is sad that the public toilets have been demolished..new car park coming apparently)
We do some actual work climbing out of the village and up to the Wizard, the water on the roads pretty manageable with only one full road width puddle to negotiate by Hare Hill entrance.
Fine Wizards Bear is sampled, in nice surroundings…but there is a timetable to keep so once finished back on the bikes. Stunt warns of potholes on the descent in the Alderley Edge..and he’s not wrong..Bern and Butty make light work of them with big tyres, El Pres and Stunt are more circumspect on crossers.
Leaving the bright lights, shiny cars and fond memories of the bubble room behind, a left turn takes us out, over the bypass and then with some sudden braking we are at the Oakwood (formerly Loch Fyne). Nicely done out inside, but the beer maybe less impressive (although Butty enjoys his lager!)
Now for the longest leg of the journey, past Chorley village hall, into the countryside proper before houses reappear and then the floodlit front of the Bird in Hand. None of your pretentious interiors here, a proper old no nonsense pub with any beer you like..as long as its Sam Smiths! Real fires, and amusing no swearing policy, and pannelled benches suit us perfectly.
No rest for the wicked, but its a mere half mile to the last two, we order food at the Bulls Head before walking over the road to the Roebuck. It’s been redone since we were last here..very atmospheric in an upmarket way, Buck beer not half bad, and take away scrolls of the menu to take back to WAGS 😉
Four down, and now rolling back across the road for the final stop.
Superb food..Butty can’t believe his eyes when there is a whole lamb chop embedded in his shepherds pie, the wobby ale pie is a pastry masterpiece, and the Irish themed specials not bad either. Beer may let the side down though, and the Cheshire cat is not taken up for a second pint, and the Rambler is not on top form either.
Dunc’s joins us having done a slightly circuitous route which means he’s actually ridden further than we have!
Bern goes for a pudding (not sure he earned it), and finished off with a red wine, as we settle into our snug corner very nicely. Plenty of nice things to look at (pictures of dogs drinking beer amongst them…sold in bottles at £1.95). Plenty of topics of conversation with the unisex toilets, and large collection of whisky bottle packaging amongst them. No not fear some token ribaldry was also engaged in 😉
Dunc and Butty go for a Wee Laddie to finish, and it’s time to prepare for what is now a long and wet ride home.
Stunt immediately discovers that one of those half’s has not agreed with him, and has a few moments on the way back where a hedgerow might get redecorated!
Route back avoided the big climb back past the wiard, in favour of the longer but less huey inducing slog back through Mottram.
Bollin valley super slippy on the field.
A fine night and vive la difference! One week to the spring equinox…
This week the deluge thankfully finished before the TNR (although El Pres admits to waiting until the last minute to decide to ride!)
With a stiff breeze ruling out any sensible high options, and the water on the ground any grass or soil trails, its a mix of the trusty winter rocky roads tonight.
PTD is still working through the spirits cupboard, and has promised us a treat later, but he makes us work for it by doing some ups before hand!
Avoiding the muddy zig, its straight up towards the zag, with water still streaming down the road in the gutters and gritting truck giving us a wide berth. No frogs this week, despite the favourable conditions, so the spring migration must be over for now.
Good views from the top of the Zag, Saddlers way thankfully not greasy, and the slog up to walker barn at least getting us warm as clear skies mean the temp is dropping fast.
Bern must have been doing some secret training as he’s uncatchable off the front on the road climb to chazza.
A split down chazza – wet and rocky, or damp and muddy, both good in their own ways.
Narnia bench…and wondrous fortified hot mulled wine :-), even better some single malt from TJ to finish with.
Descents are navigated without incident (this week PTD and Butty take it a bit easier to avoid pinch flats!)
A touted last lap of the ressies is pooh poohed in favour of an early pub to warm up. Bern heads home early to watch the Michael Jackson thing as the Metro want his professional opinion on it (he’s in the paper the following morning!)
Sutton Hall is quiet, Ale choice excellent as usual, and the food does not disappoint (although the troll would have liked bigger portion of the shepherds pie…sticky toffee pudding and coffee fill the gap).
Dunc’s arrives and a huge debate on frame or new bike to move on from the worn through carbon frame (diy repair option also mooted!). Of course what he really wants is twice his budget (some things never change in n+1)
There is ribaldry at the other end of the table..just for balance of course!
Conditions: Light drizzle initially, full on rain & surface water within the hour.
Notes:
Not the best of forecasts, but as we assemble its only light drizzle, and not that cold. Visibility however will not be good so El Pres suggests a lower forest route and an early finish to investigate the St Dunstans new food offering!
Much mirth is had at Croxy’s expense as his declaration to ride followed by swift retraction had presumably been the failure to look at the weather (or maybe he momentarily forgot who he was??)
We hit the Zig and the conditions since 5:30 when PTD ebiked back from work have deteriorated from almost dry to large puddles…
As we approach the gate to Teggs we are turning down or turning off head mounted lights as the glareback is bad, and the visibility is shortening.
Monsieur Le Troll wonders where the frogs & toads are as a wet night like this is usually where they break cover from winter hibernation.
Pete goes head over heels at the top of the Teggs entry..all is well..but there may be a few bruises in the morning.
Teggs descent is tricky..but not so much because it’s wet, more that 15ft vis is good enough to see directly in front of you, but not enough to be sure which line to take (or even where it is!).
The muddy run in to the car park (aka Petes Bum Slide) has been resurfaced..safe yes…fun less so (no doubt it will weather into something good in a couple of years)
El Pres heads into the Dunny as the rain has reached the “not funny” level of heavy steadiness. We get a good reception, and pre order before heading back up for a lower route loop.
…and Lo the Toads cometh..they are scattered and splattered all over the road up to the Leathers (we weave around them)
They are on all the trails too..as the water levels rise steadily.
The white rabbit ascent is vetoed by a mutinous majority, so we cut down to the main forest “exit” (where Slim and Butty mutiny further and slope off to the smithy for a swift half) the rest of us head up the steep “motorway” to allow us to the a proper lower “down and round”
Its super slow along past Bob bench as PTD and Troll take extreme care to avoid all our webbed footed friends (they eat the slugs in your garden you know)..Phil almost takes a few home with him…
Leaving the renegades to finish what they started in the Smithy, we head down to the Dunny, do some neat bike stacking opposite, and shed wet layers by the fire.
Heathen is good, the 61 Deep IPA also excellent, and service to match 🙂
Some other riders arrive a little later and we swap tales of how nasty it is out there.
A pie vs sausages even split (casting vote cops out with “millennial” food)
Dunc and El Pud join us, with El Pud fessing straight up that he would have ridden if it had been drier.
Ribaldry soon follows..possibly aided by that extra pint due to being in pub earlier than usual.
Phil gets the whisky’s in…and we can forgive the price as the smoky long finish of the Lagavulin is quality (and the beer was cheap so it cancelled out!)
The new owners have done a good job in the Dunny, the old conservatory area is now very smart, and posh loos! The noisy party there did much to mask out own bantery mirth.
Thankfully the rain had stopped for the ride home.
Crew: EL PUD!! El Pres, PTD, Slim, Mr Inc, Butty, TJ, Coley, Dunc, Stunt
Route: BL, Zig Zags, Charity, Singletrack into Narnia, “New Narnia Trails”, Witches cottage, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Sutton Hall
Conditions: Extremely Mild, Clear, Still a bit soft
Notes:
This February must be menopausal as after freezing chills the last couple of weeks tonight is a meterological hot flush! The mercury reading 14C at 5pm, and overnight temps to stay very mild.
Is it this unseasonable warmth or simply good availability…but the assembling crew hits record numbers for the year, and with the unexpected, but extremely welcome arrival of El Pud we hit double figures!
Such is the length of time since we have seen him on a bike on a TNR that it actually takes PTD almost a minute to recognise him! (although maybe he struggles with biker recognition generally..)
We should note that Dunc and Coley are also out for “proper”!
Butty has a plan..to investigate “new trails” around Narnia..sounds excellent!
We set off up the road at a decent pace, those showing some bare flesh ensuring they stay warm…or those not normally out on a TNR are showing fresh legs…or “knob jousting” for front of pack honours!?
El Pud causes further amusement by having an early off on the Zig due to a combination of slippy rut and sticky pedal!
Possible badger sighting as an animal runs across the road to the Zag bridleway and jumps into the field.
Orion shines down on us from clear skies on the drag up to Charity as we stop to cool off!
The under tree conditions are still somewhat muddy, and the berms are very deeply rutted, so we moderate our expectations of the new trails, but keep to the plan.
Sadly Butty’s ability to find them appears to be degraded..”you just can’t see them in the dark” causes us to overshoot, and push back up.
As we pass the bench a mutinous majority stop for the promised tipple from Dunc..and we agree with him that it’s not as smooth as Jura normally is (but still quite acceptable). The hooting owls seem to agree.
Butty steels himself with a spare shot down in one, and then proceeds to finally find the entrance…a slightly steep drop in then rooty, rutty, muddy turns and jumps…many of us choose the much grippier off piste options (having been a mass breakout of lowering tyre pressures)
The trail stops at a steep bluff next to a fire road, which only Butty and PTD have the bravery (and skill) to tackle 🙂
A second section flows a bit better.
Its still only just past 8pm, so time to haul back up to Witches cottage then onto Charity again. Paul is wondering about going straight down Hardingland..but manages to choose the wrong group of riders to suggest it to..to amusement all round 😉
Our reward for the uphilling is an amazing blood moon hanging low over the Cat, Choice of back under the trees or the RHS of Charity to Narnia, then blasting down the classic Narnia, Hardingland descents.
Some have blasted a bit hard, as Butty leaves a large amount of fluid on the ground at the end of Hardingland from a tyre burp, and PTD also needs to top his tyre up before continuing.
Lower teggs towards Langley we go through patches of what can only be described as Hot Air! lovely 🙂
Sutton Hall suprisingly quiet, we drink them out of Cascade pale ale, Dunc goes for the Dark stuff, much ribaldry and mirth, pineapple myths debunked, smash robots jokes as you have never heard them before! and we do the right thing with an undersized bill.
El pud invokes an axis of evil with the offer of more at his house, those with responsibilities escape (but not before hearing El Pud have a second off into Gunco lane…darn manhole covers!)
The poynton posse give 3 rings c2am, and Mr Inc stays over and a Flour, Salt, Water Breakfast is had friday am.
Truly a proper TNR…and our prodigal is welcome back anytime (once his bruises heal)
Route : BL – Canal – Sutton Hall Traverse – Judy Lane – Hanging Gate – Cleulow Cross – A54 – Croker Hill – Gritstone Trail Descent to Ryles Arms.
Conditions : Clear & Cool. Cold wind on the tops. Lack of light pollution made for good view of the stars.
Notes :
Our pilgrimage to Croker Hill worked very well.
An excellent route outwards towards the A54 . Albeit all tarmac.
the route was a little novel – canal towpath and then a traverse of Sutton Hall – Judy Lane route to the Ridgeway .
The weather was clear and fairly still . But out on the tops (after Hanging Gate) there was a cold wind .
Bernard and I hung back and chatted. About V1 crash sites in Macclesfield Forest. Amongst other stuff.
Chris snapped his chain on the climb up the Croker access road.
Whilst the president was sorting through various “legacy chain technology” quick-links to find a 10 speed, Butty shivered up the hill ahead of us. At the stopping ( or rather sheltering) point behind a wall we poured the G and T. The Troll has brought a little bottle of orange bitters to spice things up. Bernard had brought M&S Chardonnay nuts and a little dish for them!! Very posh.
It was now time for the president to shiver, until he was encouraged to don another layer. Smug jackets ( a good piece of TNR terminology, Mr Troll) were definitely needed. I was glad that I had decided to wrap the Bombay Sapphire payload in my montane down jacket.
I always enjoy the annual “Dan pilgrimage” , and the Croker Hill G & T version always evokes fond memories. I have an abiding memory of a refreshed ,yet spirited, descent ( with Dan) to the Ryles Arms through mud, hail and snow.
This years descent to the Ryles did not disappoint . Appropriately mad but not too muddy. Thankfully.
Tyre pressure adjustment was once again essential – as was the ensuing p1ss take from the rest of the motley crew.
to quote Mr B ..”exciting descent which needed careful precision and banter in equal measures, steak all round (mostly), miserable (Valentines) couples, happy bikers (Editors note : that is us) , attentive waitresses, Mrs troll arrives to collect Mr Troll . An expensive bill”
Route: BL, Higher Fence, Hurdsfield Road, Snicket by AZ, Double Track to Clarke Lane, Endon House Climb, Redways, under White Nancy, back of Kerridge, Rainow, Bull Hill Lane, Walker Barn, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Sutton Hall.
After some recent rides with small crew, tonight sees a whole eight riders!
Mr Inc having been on his travels for some weeks realises his new riding boots are still at Lee’s (who is now in NZ) so some old ones will have to do!
PTD arrives full of enthusiasm with a route plan that is touted to be different whilst being familiar…we indulge 🙂
We head back to the Rainbow bridge meet point (to the bemusement of the tythy crowd) and Butty tells of an epic puddle on the silk road which he came through on the way here! The snicket is pretty muddy and wet too!
Snow earlier in the day melted fast, but has left a lot of surface water..we fear for the state of Kerridge..
Skies are now pretty clear, and lovely view across the Cheshire plains.
The concrete climb to “under White Nancy” is as steep as we remember, with a killer last 10 meters! Kerridge starts grassy and greasy, but anything steep is a slithery walk…Mr Inc’s five tens leave him little grip even when walking! You know it’s tricky when you are aiming for the mud on the slippy slabs as being the least worst line!
The steep field is a challenge with lots of gasping by the end.
The slope of doom down to Rainow is just that..with a lot of laughs as control is “marginal!” we all make it fine 🙂
Bull Hill awaits, and chat stops other than the odd call of CAR!
New Road provides some respite before Charity.
Snow remnants at the start give a great bike parking opportunity, and Stunt provides hot laced coffee to warm us up as we regroup.
Topping out, PTD takes us up onto the Right Hand Side, where there is still some snow, it’s a good move, lots of fun, and a lot drier than the main track which is running with a lot of meltwater.
Narnia is muddy, and at the bench Butty offers a choice of Ouzo* or Whisky for more inner warmth 🙂
*Footnote : it is also known as “Boozo” or “b’tard in a glass”
Bern & Pete, tagging along at the back as we traversed Narnia, were treated to a Barn Owl fly past , beautifully illuminated by Pete’s helmet light. Magic moments.
All downhill from here on…first to Witches cottage which now has a timber shed on one end and a lot of cut christmas trees…!!??
Hardingland fast and dry as usual (no badgers tonight), lower teggs wet and muddy.
We get shouted at by a cyclist coming up from Sutton on the road..we think he may have had light envy??
Blazing fire at Sutton Hall very welcome..although already occupied. Its still warm though, and we soon settle into our usual table with the pale Cheshire Gap, or the heavy “Bear Ass” (phnaar phnaar). Plenty of catching up, cameraderie, serious discussion and irreverent banter.
Adrian arrives fresh from Mountain Rescue training in Macc Forest, as the Smithy is not as dog friendly as Sutton Hall. Funky also drops in (minus bike) with tales of the Running/Bike Five hour event in the lakes that he and Nick are doing at the weekend!
Last orders and swift whiskies for the bad come all too soon, and the bill is settled after some confusion over the discount (but all is good).
No weather to hang about on the way home, although we almost need to assist Adrian with an errant spaniel in the car park 😉
Route: Windmill- Sugar Lane- Pott Shrigley Rd- To the chapel- Reverse chapel- Ascent of Bakestone Dale Moor to Dale Top – Ski on bike descent – Birchencliffe route out- Road through Pott Shrigley to Bolly and the Vale
Conditions : sub zero from the outset- ice and drifting snow
Notes :
A TNR first – we start with a rendezvous (& a half, thanks Bern !) at the Windmill
Hurrah ! El Pres rides again.
A “Butty Production”/“Butty is Route-master” event with a Vale-finish-pre-order-the-pie structure
Snow was drifting before the reverse Chapel ascent
The ascent to Dale Top was Butty idea and pushing the boundaries of wisdom
Inner voices were saying … “what the f*ck are we doing ?” …fortunately we ignored them !
Calvados was our reward at the top (thanks Butty) where it was blowing a hoolie .
Then a mad ski run down
Arriving at the Vale we have the Corner table next to the big fire ! Result
Food arrives- Pie tastic
Chris Palmer tastes beer again
The Ribaldry Twins arrive late but deliver their customary insights and mirth. Kerridge ridge has been found to be crunchy.
Pete has even slower (than normal) ride home due to being stuck in the granny ring because his front mech was jammed.
Quotes “ Bernard : …… final thought on last night ….. if we ever do a TNR across the Antarctic, I suggest Butty leads us. He won’t take us the easy way round but it’ll be a good laugh in the pub after – in the highly unlikely event we get there!
Reply from Butty: “Thanks Bern! Was a “piece of cake” getting up there, assuming the cake is frosted with deep snow and a heavily blown freezing glaze ? The descent was fun though, I quote Mr Austin, “closest I’ve been to skiing on a bike”.
