drunkcyclist2

Words by Alex, Pics by Pete

Crew: El Pres, Slim, Dunc, Dr S, Lee, Troll, Smiffy, Stunt

Pub: Adrian & Biscuit

Route: Backeddisbury Lane, Zag, Charity, Narnia, Hardingland, Leathers, reverse ressie – the little steep climb, then the trails above Bob’s bench, Leathers, Kings Head

Conditions: Heavy Shower pre start, breezy, mild, wet post pub.

Notes:

The spring weather yo-yo continues with a very mild evening after several beautifully sunny days. Less good is the rather heavy shower that dampens the spirits of the riders assembling at the start..Butty clearly didn’t wear his coat as he bails part way over “wet through”!

What the rain has done is displace air from warm soil to give that earthy smell of rain that invokes summer (petrichor comes from greek meaning “stone fluid” – the blood of the immortals)

We still have good numbers (TNR rider/temp correlation still a good predictor) with only eSmiffy to catch us en route. The blustery breeze makes the going a little harder than it should be, but has the benefit of drying damp kit, and the climb to warm from the inside.

At the start of Charity proper we are quorate, Lee is quoting lumens per gram stats in his decision making on new lights (we love a good lighting discussion) and a possible top gear comparison challenge is touted at Narnia bench between various exposure models.

Up an over Chazza it’s clear that the recent combination of sun and wind has dried out the top layer of the track allowing the surface to shift from mucky filth, to skittery stones…which are now wet. Different mindset needed – bit more weight on the front wheel needed.

At witches cottage there is a hint of purple to the clouds – which the camera picks up nicely (and then Pete goes and puts a B&W photo in !) .

Hardingland loose – and mutterings about front forks needing servicing as a result, tantalizing tales of triathlete doping excuses leads to amusing questions to our medics!

Route discussion needed – it’s not raining (yet) but we don’t have time for an ascent of Nessit. We opt for a mini reverse loop of the ressie, with the rooty singletracks down to Bob’s bench. They might be short, but they are good fun, with many route to choose. Dunc comes off whilst caught in two minds at a fork!

Troll has gear change issues – so talk of a second lap is rebuked in favour of a gentle downhill roll to the pub.

Dr S has already organised a pre order as we needed to be there for 8:15, but in the end we are at the bar by 8! Landlord and Inception = ale heaven, and although we are on a cosy table at the far end, it’s good for conversation.

There seems to be some obligatory aliments of aging discussion before ribaldry gets going these days, and tonight it is ears and hearing! News of Croxy’s latest grandchild arriving = clinking of glasses, and then proper talk about another TNR adventure. Dr S is thinking about a group Scotland multi day trip – much enthusiasm!!

Closer to home Lee is floating a games and beer event in town possibly on a friday afternoon – yes please!

Beware of Trolls that consume pickled eggs

Late comms from Adrian as mountain rescue are training at teggs nose, and he appears with a rather damp biscuit late on , as the AoE have ordered their first whisky!

In a TNR first other Mountain rescue folks also arrive for a cheeky pint.

El Pres (egged on by the usual suspects) orders a second round of whisky, which fortifies some for the wet ride home -come back “clear and cold” all is forgiven!

Words by Alex, Photos by Pete

Crew: El Pres, Slim, Butty, TJ, Troll, 3 Sheds, Dunc, Lee, Smiffy, Stunt

Route: Tythy riverside car park, bollin valley to Prestbury, Chelford road, Finlow hill lane, Bradford lane, Hocker lane with Alderley Park mini loop, Slade Lane, Finlow hill lane, snicket to Artists lane, down the LHS off road, back up on road, Windmill wood to the owl, Artists lane, road to Legh Arms Prestbury.

Conditions: Very mild, breezy, very muddy

Notes:

After last weeks sub zero windchill warm mid atlantic air has arrived with some low pressure systems – 12 degrees! There appears to be a correlation with temperature to the number of riders – the warmth has roused some from winter hibernation to get us into double digits!

Very good to see 3 sheds gracing us with his presence all the way from the other side of the peak!

As ever with a big group we have various folk running late, so live location enabled and off we go, with Butty meeting us about 100m further on!

Venus is very bright high in the west, and the sky is still blue with clear skies post sunset, a couple of dog walkers still out, one imbibing some strong weed! Despite a bit of rain earlier the ground is fairly firm, and gets our hopes up that the edge will not be too muddy.

Negotiating the village there are road closed signs on chelford lane, we soon find the cause – a big sink hole with a lot of running water in it, there is a stream under the road here, so maybe the culvert has collapsed? room to get past on a bike (just) though.

We collect Smiffy just before Hare Hill, we just need Lee.

Having gone up the no entry to cut across to the slade lane junction, we get our first taste of ground conditions with the horse churned little grassy bit to Finlow hill lane, it is pretty muddy!

Bradford lane is deep mud, slippy mud or wet rocky ruts, and we are getting used to the big boulders part way down, greasy green cobbles on the lane are fortunately pretty dry.

It looks like Lee has missed the Bradford lane turn, so some quick comms to update on our intended route, before we head up Hocker, pop into Alderley park for some wiggles in the woods, debate the residents private road signage, and circle back to Findlow hill lane again via Slade lane.

We finally gather Lee at the wizard, and do Butty’s favourite artists lane bit – but downhill.

It’s leafy and rooty in places, and worth the mini detour and climb.

Just time for the loop in windmill woods, which true to form are filthy muddy with plenty of deep patches where it is touch and go if you can get through without a foot (or two) down. Plenty of muddy boots to show for our efforts! A quick bit of bermy fun on the sandy patch, onto the lower track – which must have had some big water flows recently as the bed of broken red bricks is really exposed in places.

Road back into Prestbury – careful down the hill as the gap by the sinkhole is pretty narrow (El Pres grazes the fencing but survives!) and locking up to the chunkiest beer garden furniture in the region!

What’s this, burgers £5 off, and 20% off Robbies beer on a Thursday – we are in heaven!!

Idaho, Unicorn, and the almost lager like one are all good, there is even a Camden stout on tap. Proper branded glasses and everything! Early chuntering about what constitutes cajun chips and why on earth they are advertising the burger as having American Cheese!? but it’s all good stuff and plates are cleared without the need for table chips or pudddings, but some claims of Butty being a “chip tease”.

Dunc was running on the roaches last night, triggering reminiscences of the “Back forest” ;-), in the interests of balance there was also chat about Nob end (in Bolton)! Lots of other diverse chat and very good to have the wider team back together again 🙂

The only fly in the ointment is the 10pm closing of the bar, and Pete declines to lead an AoE (turns out he had a heavy night last night!!) so we are three pints good for our way home, which for many is the bollin valley again.

Only a month until the spring solstice!

Crew: Slim, Dunc, Butty, Smiffy, Stunt

Route: Bolly Maze, Grimshaw lane, Lord St, Poachers Snicket, Blaze Hill, Pike Road, Bank Lane, Cheshire corkscrew, Jenkin chapel, Pym chair, top o the moor to Wingather, Taxal edge, Kettleshulme, Bakestonedale road, Poachers.

Conditions: Cold, clear, stiff easterly breeze.

Notes:

Pete touts a big ride to Taxal, secures an 8:45 table at the poachers, so game on!

A repeat of last week at the bolly maze, with team acoustic on time, and team e running behind.

Playing catch us if you can, we need to get started to make it round in time.

Butty is with us on Blaze hill, whilst Smiffy takes the Rainow/Smith lane route and arrives in time for the regrouping on Bank Lane. Tis a strong cold wind blowing tonight up here, so onwards without much of a pause.

Big puddles still a feature of Bank Lane, we slither to the side to get past, before heading down the corkscrew – huge amounts of mud and slop on top of the rocky terrain reduce the fun element, but all down without incident.

A lot of mud on the bridge at the bottom makes for a few ooh and aahs with some sideways action whilst trying to conserve some speed for the climb up the other side. Another full width mini flood just before Jenkin Chapel suggests that some proper draining maintenance is needed on here!

No spooky faces in the graveyard seen with the naked eye, but the spectre of a difficult climb instead as we are ascending to Pym chair into a headwind!

The final sections are most exposed, and the closer to the crest the worse it got, definitely a grim climb tonight. Prompting some discussion about what constitutes a grim climb – steepness for sure, but other factors can be considered, we all agree that it is a three big climb night tonight!

Huddling in the limited shelter of the wall by the entrance to the moor Stunt breaks out some proper hot chocolate for a much needed warmth and sugar boost (no alcohol shocker!!). Reinvigorated we take on the trail to Wingather – probably the wettest and softest it has been for a long time, making momentum difficult to maintain, but still a good bit of riding.

We have another clearish sky, but with a decent sliver of bright moon, the stars are less bright than recently. The windchill is discouraging us from standing around much to take it in anyway.

We are just about on schedule, some care needed not to get too close to the edge at Wingather with the wind, and the rocky sandy chute down and round to the woods had some helmet catching low branches to negotiate!

More soft ground in the woods, so quite impressive that Butty makes the climb (even e assisted) without spinning out.

We have made Taxal 🙂 a mix of frost hardening ground and soft mud makes for full concentration to pick a tyre track and anticipate the squirm in the dips, but smiles all round at the end. Smiffy has had his first taste and approves!

Thirty minutes to get to the pub, and we do get the benefit of a tail wind up the long drag from Kettleshulme. FIrst riders are on time, and the joy of a warm pub.

The artex is now a cappachino light brown, with some light green for the wood edges, the big radiator by the door is blasting out heat for the first time in living memory, and the pump of doom has disappeared!

After the Harriers have ordered their drinks we are well looked after by Liz, there is a nice 4% fireside porter from Wincle brewery, and the menu is little changed.

Stats are exchanged…and it looks like by the time we each get home it will have been a munro night 🙂

Smiffy is down to 27% battery, and we demolish the food in our need to replenish our own energy!

We are able to congratulate Gramps Butty in person this week, ponder on scandi flicks, finding silver linings to appreciate in everyday activities, and the need for a routine and place for lights/kit to enable getting away on time properly equipped. Butty’s charging drawer has drawn admiration for a properly engineered solution!

Is Guinness zero the new tactical coke?…quite possibly, and the mini AoE go leffe ahead of the settling of the bills and a chilly ride home.

A late appearance by Sarah…is she regretting leaving for the Harrington arms?…

Crew: El Pres, Slim, PTD, Butty, Troll, Stunt

Pub: TJ

Route: Bottom of the Zag, Zag, Saddlers Way, Lower Teggs, Up past the Smithy to the fire road, 1st Right fire road back to the road (to Forest chapel), up the road to the entrance to the Steps and tracks down to the “main” road (from the Rangers Station to Standing Stone), across to the otherside for tracks to the Rangers Station, around the ressie, Shrubberies, Sutton Hall.

Conditions: Cold & Clear, very soggy ground.

Notes:

We are aiming for a weather slot between some heavy rain, and the coming storm Eowyn. The rain is lingering a touch so Pete declares a 15 minute delay, which is good for Butty who is running late! Stunt encounters some unexpected faffing but manages to arrive before he is left to catch up.

With extremely soggy and soft ground we opt for some harder surfaces – once up the Zag it’s a right hand turn down to Teggs and the rocks and cobbles of Saddlers way – if you can keep upright getting into it – the little bit of mud and grass at the edge of the trail is slithery as heck, with at least one rider having an almost immediate dab!

Plenty of mud on lower Teggs, although not so much water in the stream at the ford.

Regrouping at the Langley bottoms reservoir, and looking out for the apparent alignment of six planets (not all visible to the naked eye), PTD offers some route options and by default becomes routemeister.

Passing the Leathers (and the obligatory call for “cheeky pint” from somewhere in the pack) it’s good to see it open and with punters inside. We head on up the road and onto gravel for a short distance before taking the lesser RH trail which does have a nasty steep climb later on….the price you pay for following those on ebikes!

Fire road ends before the road, and its a swampy grassy muddy slither across to the exit point(s), and then some care required to descend the bank to the lane.

Gaining a little more height up the road we opt to do the steps decent across to the other road, and then the RHS mini loop. Crossing over to the LHS we do the first steps, tree squeeze, over the little bridge and up the other side..to then find a new mini lake!! Is it the work of Beavers?…well only if they are using cables and rods to hold their logs together…a bit of deliberate damming of the stream to create more wetland habitat by the looks of it.

PTD explores going round it on the “forest” side but there is no obvious route, plan B is a quick detour on the road and then back in, where we pick up the old trail. It’s not being used much, with fallen trees blocking some parts, and starting to get overgrown, but we find our way to the Rangers Station without too much bother, then swoop round the ressie past Bob’s bench and round to the road at the Smithy.

PTD offers to furtle in the Shrubberies for some Whisky (it is sub five after all!), but a quick count up shows we are missing a Pete…most likely having lost us when stopping for a Photo opportunity! We eventually see a light on the other side of the ressie, then El Pres’s phone rings…he’s at Bob’s bench (as we suspected) so he’s told to get a move on.

Car headlights loom and with a whiff of weed a milkshake cup is lobbed out towards El Pres (surely he’s not been mistaken for Farage!!?) before they zoom off, full on nobbery.

THere is just time to drop in on the Shrubberies, past bulky heat pumps and over boards as the underfloor heating pipes are just starting to go in, nice view of the curved brick vaulted ceiling of the cellar too! The kitchen is cosy with a log burner, and we get a wee dram of Wireworks Whisky (of Sean’s recipe). Then it’s back out and down to Sutton Hall.

Lord Lucan and the Plum Porter are the ales of choice, Burger the meal of choice, and we are in the middle round table in the back bar for a bit of variety.

TJ joins us and updates on ski conditions and troublesome mothers.

Eighties music videos were the best (pick your fave), bits of ski trip planning bizzarely triggered by a question about towels, and the inevitable death of the internal combustion engine and EV’s…how do you charge your electric car if you live in a flat?

The voucher is redeemed (std 25% off food) and we manage to negotiate a cheeky whisky post bill.

With Butty van assisted, the Poynton, Bolly brigade avoid the cold ride home, although after 4 pints and a chaser the beer jacket is quite warm. Note these were sensible pints not the silly 5.9%’s of last week 😉

Crew: Slim, Bern, Butty, Dunc, Stunt

Pub: Adrian & Biscuit

Route: Rainbow bridge, middlewood faffing, farm track, Endon house climb, Lidgetts Lane, South face of Kerridge, Ridge line, Descent of the East face, back of Kerridge to the slope of doom and the ice fields, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers.

Conditions: Sub Zero, clear, c10cm of lying snow, gritted main roads.

Notes:

Three days into the big freeze with day one’s snow having thawed lower down then frozen hard, topped by some fresh snow, it looked good for snowy riding…if you could get there…

It took a Dunc poll to flush out those wanting to explore, and with a Poachers finish confirmed we opt for the Kerridge/Oakenbank area rather than the forest.

Stunt has managed to get the semi-fat bike operational to make the most of conditions.

Even well wrapped up (fleece buff’s and double gloves deployed) twas not a night for standing about! We ride towards Bolly on the mIddlewood to meet Butty. He’s come acoustic as he needs to generate heat through exercise! Bern has headed to the bottom of the Zag (last weeks start point) as we only updated this weeks RZ quite late. But by the time we have Butty, Bern arrives via the Canal (was that wise!!?)

On the farm track we pass under a little layer of mist pooling across the fields (which is slightly weird), and can smell the cheroot smoking dog walker some hundreds of metres away.

Oak lane is thankfully well gritted and ice free, and turning off at the war memorial (Note – at least three of the old Merc 190’s have gone!!) we were on packed snow.

Stopping at the top – hydration hoses have already frozen, so those who have water in insulated bottles in their packs had the right answer!

Lidgetts not completely clear, but a pair of slushy tracks is good enough to get us up (and more importantly down!) to the back of Kerridge. Proper snow here, but we only get about 1/4 of the way up before we have to push. Two kissing gates, and two steep icy sections later we are at the Trig.

Sub five rule is properly observed, warm Gluwein in amusing cartoon cups from Stunt, and Whisky from Dunc. Great views to the west with fog blanketing the plain, and the N Wales transmitter visible for the 3rd week in a row! Looking east Rainow sparkled as pretty as a Bethlehem Christmas card.

Time to keep moving, North along the ridge before turning back on ourselves with a diagonal decent in deep snow to the lower track – much fun! 🙂

The slope of doom almost has Bern in the bushes, but the real hazard was the crust of ice over mud by the stream!

Road to Rainow in good condition before we are on snow with occasional ice puddles going up Oakenbank. Butty takes the lead on the downhill, which is 2/3 snowy fast fun, and 1/3 icy sphincter tightening “fun”.

Surprisingly despite the shortish route it’s almost 8:30 by the time we are in the pub, first bikes to arrive.

Once into the relative warmth of the Poachers (downstairs heating is undergoing upgrade and not working tonight) its either the Voodoo orangy Porter (not bad, but can’t taste any orange), or a frothy coffee, or a Guiness zero (Bern having already had his alcohol quota at the trig!).

Definitely a pie and gravy night, and whilst we settle in, we are joined by Pontius (the Pilot) of the Nancies (and also neigbour to Pete), who has not ridden and awaits their arrival.

They have done Bowstones, Dale top, and only arrive at 9:15 (validating our decision to keep it closer to home).

Adrian and Biscuit join us with Mountain Rescue training cancelled due to the weather!?? Hang on – would this not be the perfect opportunity to practice operation in the kind of weather that folks get caught out by??? Anyway nice to have their company, although Biscuit slightly disappointed by the lack of people in the pub to cuesty up to 😉

Something about cold nights seems to slow down the thirst, so Pete’s only had three beers before it’s last orders and a Leffe round is called.

The gents is baltic cold, which prepares for the epically cold rides home – fingers only just on speaking terms by the time I got home to a tropical -3 in tythy.

At least we were clean and mostly dry this week….

No badgers reported, but one Cock n Balls snowman sighted en route to Poynton 😉