drunkcyclist2

Crew: Butty, Ptd, Eric the brave, El Presidente

Pub: Biggus and TJ

Route: Around teggs down Saddlers way, Hardingland and into the forest. Few naughty trails and took the path parallel to Dentist desent. Then Straight to the pub.

Conditions: Stuff that wets you through with very low visibility.

Stats: One Butty puncture (Big split so tubeless gunk flowed out)

Notes;
Very low turnout again, so many injuries within the group!

Pretty miserable conditions so a very slack night around Teggs and into the forest for some shelter.

Noteable events could be counted on two fingers, yeah up yours rain clouds! Eric went for it following the Dentist on an unexpected bit rough bit of Teggs steps, Butty and Pres walked it! Then we saw a number of Deer cross our path in the forest.

After the puncture time was not on our side so after a bit of fun we went straight to the pub for 9pm feeding.

Noted a DP in the pub; after one goodbye whiskey, PtD and Pres stayed and spit roasted another round of Irish.

From TNR 20-06-2013 Mr Incredible And His Many Offs

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 20-06-2013 Mr I really is Incredible

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Crew; Butty, President, Doog, Mr Incredible

Pub: Salad, Pud, Biggus

Words and photos : Butty

Route: BL up the road to above the tea shop, down the old coach track to Errwood hall (but missing Shooters Clough). Around the back of the hall ruins and a new track (described as “Woodland Walk”). Up “The Street” using off road bits and down FoxLow Edge singletrack past Miss Dolores Shrine. Climb out up Shooters Clough and back up the coach road to look down on Tea rooms again. Quick peg it to Sutton Hall via Standing Stone.

From TNR 20-06-2013 Mr Incredible And His Many Offs

Conditions: Damp at first turning into driving wind and rain all the way to above the tea shop and drop into Goyt valley. But cleared up into a humid but very pleasant t-shirt only evening. Low but atmospheric visibility.

Stats; Three off’s for Mr Incredible, One big off which caused a three point faff, spokes, front and rear derailleur.

From TNR 20-06-2013 Mr Incredible And His Many Offs

Notes;
Small but select group tonight and the long climb to the tea rooms was a hard fight into driving wind and steady rain which seemed as though it was going to stay. So a mass debate at the tea rooms to change the plan. No not again lets stick with it!

That was the right decision; The drop into Errwood hall was awesome, wet but without any mud so was fast and a little slick to make it interesting. This downhill caused an extended dab by Mr Incredible where he lost his mudguard, classed as an official off. All smiles though as we reached Errwood hall ruins, the rain stopped and Doog was impressed by the lovely fragrances coming from the garden flowers. We retorted that us “Men” much preferred the smell of sweat and oil.

While taking some tricky steps down Mr Incredible had another off where he nearly went over the fence. Must be some balance issue due to his recently acquired shrinking power.

From TNR 20-06-2013 Mr Incredible And His Many Offs

Nice little track over and down to “The Street” described as a woodland walk which maybe useful for future rides as it misses out the awkward Shooters Clough steps.

Ride down past the Spanish Shrine was another awesome downhill enjoyed by all.

Then it happened again and we discovered Mr Incredible really is indestructible; whilst making our way to shooters clough zig zag climb, he stopped to pause using a geranium branch to steady himself. Crack, the branch broke and Mr I plus bike fell around four feet into a rock and branch lined hollow below. The laughter coming from the hollow revealed there wasn’t a scratch on him, not so for the bike and his clothes though. That seems a real problem for super heroes, the kit just isn’t up to it.

So after a midge infested faff (no doubt breaking there teeth on Mr I) we were late! So after much ringing round and waiting on the line, food orders were made and we pegged it to the Pub to be greeted by two drunks and their driver (poor Nickus).

Oh, on the way back Mr Incredible found his mudguard! (another secret super power)

Excellent banter in the Pub as always and al but driver served up Leffe by a friendly Joanne Whalley Kilmer look alike.

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 13-6-2013 Northerly Spirit

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Crew: El Pres, Slim, Coley, Bernard, Mr Incredible, Stunt

Pub: Dunc

Route: Rainbow bridge, Middlewood way, Lyme Park West gate, Bowstones, Diversion down to the road to the moorside, main road to hairpin, motocrossers track back to the gritstone, sponds hill, wall descent, the un-named lane down to pott shrigley road, vale.

Conditions: Dry, Mild, bit breezy on top, damp but not wet trails.

Stats: One El Pres puncture

Notes:

It was a night where it was always CFP’s fault! from the puncture en route to rainbow bridge (conveniently ruling out Mellor moor), to keeping the route slackish ahead of mayhem, to then changing the route to add in shedloads of extra climb ’cause it was too slack! and then almost no food at the vale as a result!!

In truth Slim and Stunt were inadequately mapped up for Mellor, so it was always going to be Lyme park. Rapid trundle along the middlewood way to bridge 14 (which almost caught us out as its a bridge you go over, cunningly disguised as the trail!), under the Canal, and into westgate. Stunning views from paddock cottage with the weather clearing nicely and sunshine between the clouds.

through the park in regulation hours (Eric would approve) and up the bowstones ascent watched by grazing deer. Worst of the lower ruts have been levelled recently. More amazing views from the top including a sunbasked shutlingsloe. CP has his guilt induced moment and we detour down steep grassy slopes, sheep scattering, until the road is reached (this section is called Sweet Hill ). Slog back to the Whaley road, and carry on up. Stunt takes us up the track from the hairpin which will rejoin the gritstone to cut the corner. Which we enjoy in a masochistic kind of way (granny all the way but doable).

Arrive at the top to fresh breeze, stunning skies, and Kum Quat liqueur (surely a profanasorous entry!?) brought back from Corfu by stunt..think of it as a summer rusty nail.

Across the tops, down the wall descent (brilliant), followed by the lane with no name (according to google maps) and Shrigley road.

From TNR 06-06-2013 Dark Forces On The Buxton Circle

Vale at 9:3o to find kitchen had just closed!! further exploration of the options and we have their new hot or cold artisan pies cold, with hot chips 🙂 three peaks the ale of choice.

Dunc arrives to begin his mayhem weekend…prompting much doom mongering over The weather and memories of last years mudfest.

Oban the tipple before a mild and dry ride home.

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 06-06-2013 An encounter with the Bride of Dracula

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Crew : Eric, el pres, PTD, Butty, the Doog, Coley, slim, Mr I

In da viceroy : El Pud

Route : BL, the Cat via Buxton old road , A variation on the Buxton Circle …after Taxal we headed past the Moorside Hotel, up to Bowstones ..then Sponds Hill route back to Bolly.

From TNR 06-06-2013 Dark Forces On The Buxton Circle

conditions : Dry, sunny, warm….with a cool wind on the tops.

Stats : one very long ride ..25 miles plus, 3,600ft ascent, one undead bride from the 14 th Century, one bad case of chain suck when passing Taxal grave yard (connection ?)

Notes :
It was Eric’s idea….and a very good one IMHO. A big ride on a warm, dry and dusty evening. A classic route with a Butty variation (to pass the Moorside and up to Bowstones) near the end.
A long overdue return to the Viceroy to boot. Marvellous. And the WNB also turned up in Viceroy, with tales of magical rides to be had on “Craken Edge” .

From TNR 06-06-2013 Dark Forces On The Buxton Circle

But weirdest of all was our encounter with “the undead” in the form of Marishka, bride of Dracula, encased in a glass conffin, restrained by crossbow bolts dipped in holy water, and laid to rest in a Skull Encrusted Volvo Hearse!!

From TNR 06-06-2013 Dark Forces On The Buxton Circle

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 30-05-2013 Smith and Smithy

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Crew : Dan, Dunc, El Pres, PTD, John from Bicycle Smithy, Butty, Slim

Pub : Coley and El Pud

Route : Zig zags , Old Buxton Rd track, Chazza & extension st stone, Back of the Moon and forest furtling of various forms.

Stats : Minor faff with Chris’s rear derailleur

Conditions : Moist under the tyres, but no precipitation from above 🙂

Notes :

A slightly weary crew assembled at BL …El pres had been and done Landegla that day, PTD the quantocks and mendips the previous day. Me, just two full Manchester commutes.

But Butty had invite John the Bicycle Smithy..so we could not totally slack…and an enjoyable Macc forest circuit ensued…with a mini loop at the bottom of Nessit.

A welcome return to the Church house with fine ale and a storming steak and Stilton pie. Dan nearly missed his he was that late arriving at the CH.

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 23-5-2013 All Hail the Cake

Friday, May 24, 2013

Crew: El Pres, PTD, Butty, G, Mr Incredible, Eric, Stunt

Pub: Slim, Dunc, Big Nic & El Pud

Route: BL, Zig zags, teggs, Leathers, witches cottage, up Narnia, Chazza & extension, standing stone, RH track at the S bends, singletrack to reservoirs, Smithy.

Conditions: cold, windy, hail showers wet trails.

Stats: Mr I double faff (tyre, spoke), Eric single faff (chain)

Notes:

Palmer bike supplies called upon big style for Mr I, as a chain lube detects fatal sidewall damage, and tyre change detects fatal nipple damage to one spoke!

The mega faff does allow Eric to recover from his new ride to BL now that he has defected to the “North”!

Some classic favourites in the route tonight, and clad in winter gear we trundle uphill, and watch the tendrils of precipitation hanging from the grey clouds. Soon we are spattered by hail!

Teggs a little slippy, brief stop at the Leathers to pre order food, then onwards and upwards.

TNR first – Cake with specially selected dessert wine for Mr I’s half century , he is one civilized fellow 🙂 Butty brings happy hippo things (the inner child is strong in him it is).

Avoiding the trashed tracks to chazza we go up Narnia (G manfully shows off his 29er capability), we lose Eric (how careless) and send G back to no avail. We recover him at standing stone.

Finally the showers have cleared, and the sun makes a late appearance to give great light and the illusion of warmth!

Fast and flowy down from the top and into the snugness of the smithy. Excellent Caledonian XPA, Food served and devoured, B team of Slim, Dunc & Nic arrive soon after, with Mr T later. G & stunts prediction of a return to normal boyish banter proved correct! No highbrow conversations tonight (apart from a whiff of Prince II talk). God is in his heaven when El Pud talks bike logistics challenges (air travel out and return from different airports – bike packing conundrum on return leg – answers on the proverbial postcard) Glenmoraniges for the road, and an escort for the birthday boy (who has forgotten his battery). Escort too for Eric on his inaugural long ride home – which showed him some unexpected sights in Prestbury! (Incomers aren’t what they used to be, or maybe Paula Radcliffe is moving in ;-))

Still no sign of summer, by my reckoning its about a year since there was any decent weather – bah humbug.

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 16-5-2013 Axe Edge Entry

Friday, May 17, 2013

Crew: PTD, El Pres, Mr Incredible, Butty, G, Stunt, Slim

Pub: El Pud

Route: BL, Cat, Axe Edge, Across moor, 3 Shires “from behind”, Field/Farm exit, Chumby, Standing Stone, Sutton Hall

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

Conditions: Nice evening,early warmth negated by cold wind higher up. Trails damp

Stats: Off & seatpost clamp failure for Butty, Puncture for PTD

Photos : Butty and Slim

Full set of photos at : https://picasaweb.google.com/104797481239784156442/TNR16052013AxeEdgeEntry?authkey=Gv1sRgCJP0r43TsI-EVg

IGNORE links under the photos …they don’t work as I got the date wrong and had to rename the album.

Notes:

After another poor weather week (will we ever get any good ones!!) the rain cleared, and the sun emerged behind pretty fluffy clouds. Chris had clearly not been outside for some hours, as he emerged in full winter gear, only to remove the leg warmers immediately. Despite all the 29’s rule talk, G arrives on a squeaky 26er and triggers an “oil everything” process of elimination and opinion spiral 🙂

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

Routes discussed and Taxal edge saved for a Butty “butty” night, its straight up to gain altitute on the road before the off road bits. Yet again Mr Incredible shows his new effortless pace (what is his secret?)

The sign proclaiming summer is coming doth need modifying we think! some OMM dibber stations also spotted, a few death riders enjoying the evening, but not enough to cause concern.

Stunt is doing a Wiggo “Giro” and manfully riding despite head snot, and soon realises that he’s a drag on the team(or was it the weight of the leg protection?). B ride arranged in flight and he samples the new delights of coffee in the “SnowCat” (or is that “Goose & Fiddle”? ) whilst waiting for the delayed Slim.

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

A&B rides re join at the Chumby upper gate, as G rocks up and announces he doesn’t know where the others are, but that Butty had fallen off. After a brief pause more G “F’m” protocol and the new A team continue. All gathered back again at the lower gate, and Baby Guiness Froth & flapjacks at the bridge, where Mr I shows off his new svelte figure..the result of his 5:2 diet…and now it all makes sense:-)

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

Thrash back to Sutton Hall for food, reflect that the A ride @ 19 miles = jumbo, and the B ride = normal TNR. Dissapointment all round that last weeks glorious brew is not available. After first pints sampled across the board we migrate to either Lord Lucan or Leffe. Mr T arrives to complete the Dutch Pirates, and tales of derring do with glue (fail) and gaffer tape (sorted!). Snifters for the road, and home before the rain (except Butty who got rather wet and grumpy – good thing he’s hard as nails)

Reward offered for information leading to return of Summer

From TNR 17-05-2013 Four For The Shire Heads, Six For Chumby

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 9-5-2013 Gradbach under Grey Skies

Friday, May 10, 2013

From TNR 9-5-2013 Gradbach under Grey Skies

Crew: PTD, Doog, G, Stunt, Mr Incredible

Route: BL, Ryles Arms, Wincle, Swythamly Hall track, top of back forest, ridge route past Hanging Stone, back past Luds Church, ford black brook, out past the Gradbach YHA, Road to Burntcliff top, track over the tops to A54, Wildboarclough, Standing stone, choice of forest routes, Sutton Hall.

Conditions: Blustery Wind, Rain held off until 9, trails damped down dryness.

From TNR 9-5-2013 Gradbach under Grey Skies

Stats: BL Suspension Faff from G, Offs from Mr I & PTD, 1 bent rear mech from Mr I

Notes:
The rain finally stopped and the wind eased slightly ahead of this weeks TNR.
A quality not quantity crew looked to take advantage of the dry spell to take on Gradbach.
Despite G’s faff a prompt start and a good pace into a stiff wind on the road to Wincle
(Man running with very dodgy knee providing the only entertainment on the way)
Has mr Incredible been doing some secret training?
An hour later (no Slim stops this week) we are ready to enjoy the ridge singletrack and it’s all worth it! More fast and loose trail down to the ford – Mr I swapping superheroes for a bit of superman dismounting, and subsequent rear mech bodging. PTD has a rare epic fail in the ford, G shows how to do it, and the rest of us have to dab.
Lots of activity at the scout camp for midweek, before more climbing, and somehow the wind is still in our faces 🙁

From TNR 9-5-2013 Gradbach under Grey Skies

By the old Eagle & Child at Burntcliffe top its back off road and lights on, wind to side then tail on the A54 as we crank up the pace to attempt to stay ahead of the rain.
Weary legs up standing stone, and steady rain blown into our faces on the descent.
Wet but happy in Sutton Hall for 9:35.
Amber Necker a marvellous pint. Quality conversation – American and Ancient History the specialist subjects. No Crazy Dutch texts though!?

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 2-5-2013 Alfresco Curry

Friday, May 3, 2013

Crew: El Pres, Stunt, PTD, Slim, Butty, Coley, Croxy & Joe, Doog, Mr Incredible, G
Curryists: Big Nic, Dunc, El Pud

Route: BL, Kerridge Ridge Loop, Ingersley Vale, Snicket, Oakenbank Lane, Rainow, Bull Hill, Teggs, Chazza, Alfresco venue.

Conditions: Blue Sky, No wind, Warm (until it went dark), not midgy, dusty dry trails.

Stats: One Butty tyre faff.

Notes:
For once the planning of an Alfresco evening did not curse the weather, and a combination of curry and a beautiful evening = top turnout….welcome back gents!
PTD’s route plan was inspired by potential alfresco locations and did seem to involve a lot of steep climbs for someone riding a battleship of a bike (not a new steed, just superceded as a megaAvalance machine and rarely ridden).
Slim & Doog slack out the gratuitous Kerridge loop, and miss the sunshine throwing our silhouettes across the trees on the top of the ridge, the fun descent down superdry trail and a chance meeting with a massively rotund Marty Feldman out riding solo after a year off the bike.
Dodge joggers, cabriolet beamer and a couple of labradors on oakenbank.

Advance party head to chazza, chat to the Church House crowd, make fire and rendevous with the drink and food deliveries whilst the rest gasp up the final climb.
El Pud quality logistics from the Stunt/El Pres school of project management
-Popadom starters
-A champagne toast..expertly led by Posh Pete 😉
-Entree Bahjiis
-Beer/Lager
-Buffet Rice, Main an Naans
-Italian Coffee Liquer (hand couriered from Rome)
-More Beer
-Abelore Chasers
-more Abelore chasers
…even more Abelore chasers

All around a warming fire complete with our very own spirit of the fire Doog. soon time to which upgrading to proper “BURN THEM!”conflagration to keep away the cold night air once food consumed.
Plenty of Castor and Pollocks talked, Micheal removed (especially from G breaking his no beer or food position), and a steady descent into gentle rowdiness.
Camp broken at the witching hour, litter responisbly removed, and fire ritually doused with canned and natural amber liquids.
Slim makes it home unscathed this year 😉
More nights like this please…and apparently despite being in prime position we missed a meteor shower at 11:30

Filed in TNRs 2013 | | Comments (0)

TNR 25-4-2013 Proper Riding

Friday, April 26, 2013

Crew: PTD, El Pres, Slim, Mr Incredible, Stunt

Route: BL, Old Road, Chazza & extension, Standing stone, Back of the Moon, Two sided valley, Wildboarclough, A54, Cut thorn into 3 Shires, Field out, Chumby, Standing stone, Resevoirs, Sutton Hall.

Conditions: Mild, Dry, no wind, all snow & ice finally gone!

Notes:
When PTD said he wanted to have a proper ride he wasn’t joking! a hard core figure of eight loop taking in chazza, shutlingsloe, 3 shires & chumby. No time to waste and fastest was to chazza is the old road, taking us past an MDOC event (Mr T drives by to proffer excuses), and advice from a nice lady rider on her way down ;-).

Chazza is finally free of permawinter’s clutches, but somewhat muddier due to the forest operations.
Quick regroup and up to the back of the moon as the skies begin to clear, and some sunshine lights up shutlingsloe – empty of people. Mr Incredible discovers his rear shock is a bit slack, but with no shock pump he’s reduced to a “slack” tail.
Two sided valley is a pleasure in the light, the grassy descent even more..and no issues despite a few noisy front brakes.
Long slog up the other side of wildboarclough valley, but the birds were singing, the streams were babbling and the light at the top was peachy (yes literally pinky orange!) as a stunning sunset lit the skies and sillouhetted shutlingsloe and the forest.
Lights on as dusk falls down the rocky sandy descent into 3 shires, Aldi chocolate flapjack from slim to revive weary legs and up & out. Field pretty dry – but the lower track trashed by cattle. Split into A & B teams on Chumby to ensure advance party arrive in time to order food!