drunkcyclist2

Words by Alex , Photos by Pete

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

Route: Riverside park, Bollin valley, Prestbury, Chelford Road, Finlow Hill Lane, Bradford Lane, Hocker Lane, Alderley Park woods, Slade Lane, Finlow Hill Lane, Windmill woods, Artists Lane, Prestbury, Heybridge Lane, Dumbah Lane, Springwood Park.

Conditions: Cool and clear.

Notes:

Pete has suggested a visit to the Alderley back lanes and a Springwood Park finish. It must be a good recipe as nine riders assemble near Riverside park. Despite the welcome sunshine of the day, the air has switched to Northerly and the mercury is falling rapidly, already in single figures. So when Dr S arrives in shorts there is some questioning his clothing choice for the evening! Mind you Butty has also come baring hairy knees – although he does have impressive long socks.

There is not a breath of wind, so as the sun fades into the West lighting up the clouds with a swathe of crimson, we head along the Bollin dodging many a dog walker trying to get the walk in before dark.

The bullocks are gathered at the pinch point between the middle and last field, but there is room to squeeze by, although this puts us straight into the swampy bits.

Properly dark by the time we have climbed out of Prestbury and crossed the back road onto Finlow hill lane. An exact half moon is rising, and provides a great shot of sillouhetted trees on the ridge line at the first corner.

Bradford lane is mostly deep mud or thin mud on top of the rocky bits, and we still haven’t got used to where the big boulders are part way down (cunningly hidden round the bend), luckily the gap is on the line most riders would be taking.

The cobbled lanes are dry, but the first part of the Alderley woods singletrack is well hemmed in by tall vegetation. Stunt is leading the way, with some trails now well graded, but the finish still rooty muddy and twisty.

Another warming climb before a second traverse of Finlow hill lane – where a blazing fire is going near the ridge line trees – that was quick work since our last pass!

This time we are doing full horseshoe back to the main road, then the cut through under the trees to Artists lane – notoriously muddy, it was not too bad. However right at the end a stump in the path caught out Dr S – he did an impressive front wheelie – but got some pedal rash on his shin. With a “Doctor heal thyself” expectation – he whips out his trail running first aid kit and performs a clean and dress manouever.

On through the woods with a layer of orange rustling leaves now settling over most of the track. Plenty of deep muddy bits churned up by horse hooves, but also plenty of lines to avoid. Just the one unrideable section to avoid, although Stunt manages to somehow catch a pedal on brambles and go over the front in glorious slow motion (no harm done).

At the sandy patch we are treated to amazing skies, turning our lights off we see regularly spaced satellites coming across (starlink presumably).

A final section to the owl, up Artists lane (ebikers have fun on the raised RHS option), and tis time for route one to the pub.

We do get table service (although the beer choice is limited, and the staff are very focussed on closing time for the kitchen). Food is ok, the beer ok, but the company of course first class!

We get comms that the northern lights are visible – you would have thought we would have seen them from the edge – but no! AS once we have finished – bar closed at 10pm and what that really meant was – we are locking the doors and you are going to the on the outside! we tog up for a very cold ride sub five home, and seek out good viewing points along the way.

A vertical red stripe visible to the naked eye (if you could mask local light pollution), with cameras providing a richer picture.

We won’t be rushing back to the Springwood any time soon, but it did prompt a debate to try out hostelries further afield for more variety.

Crew: Slim, Dunc, Butty, Troll, Bern, Smiffy, Stunt

Pub: Lee, Croxy & Ruth

Route: Bolly Maze, Canal to birdge 28, double track to Oak lane, Endon house climb, Lidgetts lane, back of kerrige to the slope of doom, Lamaload access road, push up at the edge of the wood, grassy descent back to the access road, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers snicket, Ingersley Vale, up Waulkmill wood, back of Kerridge, across the stream and track that comes out at Tower house, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers.

Conditions: Mild, windy, odd spot of rain.

Notes:

A doomladen forecast for the day had turned out not to be that bad, but with plenty of grey cloud about, the assembling team were in a mix of waterproofs , softshells and shackets with no one quite sure what would be the right choice.

Bern confidently predicts that the weather will now be dry all evening (although he was wearing a waterproof at this point).

Lee is having a “all my bikes are breaking” kind of afternoon – and will see us at the pub once he’s got something to a rideable condition.

Smiffy gets us live location in the nick of time, and we hang on for him, which is not all that onerous with various runners and walkers out making the most of the dry patch. When he does arrive we get gruesome tales of emergency back op’s for his other half’s slipped disc complications (all going well thankfully)

Birthday boy (well at midnight) Pete re destributes ice and pies amongt the team for a stop later on, and initiates the ride plan – keeping low and local with options depending on the weather.

Plenty of dog walkers to dodge on the towpath , double track and Endon house climb – everyone seems to be out tonight!

At the start of Kerridge – there is a suggestion to amend the route to do a double oakenbank which would prevent a big climb up Blaze hill if we carried on plan A. This is taken up and we tackle a fairly muddy trail and a fairly slippy slope of doom before coming back up to the road.

Butty now suggests a cheeky loop off the Lamaload access road – and why not! It is a push up the edge of the woods (too slippy and overgrown even for the E’ers). A long grassy descent down the ridge (once the two gates have been opened by the first couple of riders) is new territory for most.

The mud on our tyres soon flies off on the road into Rainow only to be replaced on Oakenbank (pt1).

A rare descent of the poachers snicket, followed by an even rarer ascent of Waulkmill woods – pretty muddy – but cleaned by E butty, and one dab for a fired up Stunt (other “pushier” options available).

Which exit off back of Kerridge? the little bridge in the estate in Rainow is mooted – but is too early, so instead we head for the gate that takes us to the where the slope of doom comes out. Here we investigate a track a little lower down – it takes us over the stream a little earlier, and we emerge onto a walled lane that comes to some houses. Luckily it does turn out to be a footpath (rather than someones garden) and we pop out at Tower Hill.

This time round we stop at the bench just before Oakenbank, which is nicely sheltered from the Wind and any raindrops (there have been a few just starting).

Pete treats us to some fine brandy, ice, and JJJ Heathcote pork pies with english mustard.

Whilst we munch an discuss the current state of proper butchers – we see a succession of lights across on Lower Kerridge – which we assume is the Nancies.

Suitably fortified (and with a distinct threat of rain in the air) it’s everyman for himself to do a second turn on Oakenbank and down to the Poachers.

Lee is awaiting us (having fallen back on the gravel bike), Troll and Butty immediately hit the pump of doom, whilst the rest of us go for more moderate IPA’s, apart fom Dunc who does straight to the Guinness!

Lots of conversations – Dunc is doing another Quadrathalon this weekend, Lee is planning a Portugese bikeride next week, and Pete is musing on pie based celebrations over the years.

Post food Lee is exchanging glances with the bar staff – nothing inappropriate, just a cunning ruse to bring out a slice of cake for pete at the right moment!

Croxy arrives, followed a little later by Ruth – which prompts Phil to get an early whisky in having spotted an unusual full bodied but not smoky one (or is it just a bottle with a similar sounding name?) either way its rather good, and leads to the need for the Birthday boy to have a second round before heading home.

G would be amused to know that Pete had managed to come out sans means of payment! Luckily for him we took pity on him as it was his birthday (he did promptly settle the following morning).

For a second week in a row, Bern has headed home for pudding and sent us pics of fruit pie – this week with custard!

Heading out we are dismayed to find it is properly hissing down – full wet gear is rapidly deployed, and encourages rapid pedalling home.

Lee reported an Owl and Badger and a Sparrowhawk on the way home (that feel like the start of a joke!)

Crew: Butty, TJ, El Pres, Slim, Dunc, Troll, Stunt

TJ’s: Lee, G, Enid ,Sophie & Winnie, neighbour Paul

Route:

Conditions: Cold and clear, damp and muddy trails.

Notes:

TJ has invited us to his post ride for a chilli and firepit night as a birthday celebration.

Butty has devised a route taking us much further north than we normally range…

Tis unseasonably chilly with occasional showers, but having gather the posse on the Middlewood we strike out towards Lyme park West gate via Shrigley lane, and get our first sights of some wonderful views to the west with the low sun and dark clouds.

We have to stop and appreciate it all the way through Lyme, as the cage is sillouhetted against the slow burn of the orange sky, and the brooding clouds over manchester. Throw in a few people, birds and planes and it’s a photographers wet dream!

TJ reminds us that we still have a long way to go (he’s not wrong), so passing the deer herd we head out of East park gate, to Green lane, Long lane, across the Old Buxton road (Disley version), Greenshall lane (baby’s head descent?) and onto the Peak Canal past Swizzels (and an unmistakable aroma of sweet hearts) before cutting across to the Torrs for some twisty little loops by the river.

Marvelling at the bridges and old structures, the Torrs hydro screw is not going today (not enough water??), punters sipping drinks in the windows of the Torr vale tap (cheeky pint says Troll!), before we traverse the Millenium walkway and into the now dark woods.

Long climb up to Brook bottom road to “the bench” where more amazing views frames by the hills – Winter hill’s vertical lights sitting above the band of red skyscraper tops lights of Manchester centre.

Long (and fast if you were brave) descent from the Fox pub down to Strines staion.

Route and time discussion (we are not time limited tonight) so onwards and upwards we go to do “hole 2” ..cue much banter…A dirty and narrrow chute that cuts across the golf course’s second hole.

We are getting some training on winter riding tonight with slippy and muddy conditions – but also discovering some old school singletrack delights as well.

After another inevitable climb (Butty had foolishly told us that there were only two left…he lied) and tricky stile bike lift, a bit of fatigue is setting in. Troll tries to ride off on the wrong bike, and TJ thinks he has lost his having stopped to message Enid on an ETA.

All is resolved very quickly, and we are on the way back, cutting through the edve of High lane, for some great little trails through fields and copses “good serial murder country” mutters someone!

Mucky but happy we emerge onto the Middlewood by the station (and for the first time since Lyme park everyone knew were we were!). Minutes later – and after a jumbo 3.5 hour ride we are at chez TJ!

Fire bowl lit, smug jackets and hats on, and beers in hand we have earned a sit down.

Joining us are neighbour Paul (one of the Bike smithy riders0, who has just returned from a bikepacking trip to the outer hebrides and west highland way. Lee arrives two pints to the good from the local hostelry, and G arrives with tales of Portugese and Swiss road bike adventures.

Enid has done some amazing chilli and rice, with Naans (as well as tasty tatziki and nachos) which require second helpings to replenish the calories burnt on a long ride. Sofie and Winnie try their best to get a taste from discarded plates as Enid tries her best to get them back and away from the fire.

Aldi firebowls have a 5 year life – as the bottom corrodes through and deposits the embers onto the stone below! It does give us warm feet for the rest of the night 😉

An amazing night for stars – crystal clear and still, Plough, Cassiopea and even the Pliades easily identified. At least three shooting stars seen too.

Whisky with an e is provided as the witching hour approaches, Bushmills is beautifully smooth, and we hear distant bells chiming midnight.

Eventually those not staying decide they must move, and layer up for a chilly ride home.

Lots of badger action tonight – Butty had one run in front during the ride, Lee reports one sighting on his ride home earlier, four more confirmed on the Middlewood by the main group, and another from El Pres once he turns off by AZ. So 7 badgers in one night – surely a TNR record!?

An absolute beauty of a ride in every sense, thanks to TJ & Enid for hosting – we must venture north more often!!

Words by Alex, Pics by Pete

Crew: El Pres, Slim, Dunc, Troll, TJ, Slim, Lee

Pub: Butty, Adrian & Biscuit

Route: Rainbow Bridge, Over the Canal, Clarke Lane, Redway Lane, North Farm, back of Kerridge, Rainow, Oakenbank, Poachers.

Conditions: Unexpectedly wet and muddy

Notes:

A slack ride proposed to ease legs and backsides back into the saddle post Traws Eryri, the days rain having finally stopped, we congregate on the middlewood way.

Dunc takes his coat off, the skies darken, Troll arrives and also removes the waterproof, rain begins to fall – and heavily! Rapidly we cover up and take shelter under the trees, much muttering about lying weather apps!!

The precipitation eases to light drizzly stuff – so we head off on our little loop, spashing through puddles, and down past the horsey farm. On the track below White Nancy most of Bolly is in cloud with only the lowest buildings visible…the weather is reminicent our our wet first day last week riding out of Machynlleth.

Back of Kerridge is greasy, we opt for the direct line to the green lane up to the Rainow road – and dodge spiky fronds and overhanging branches with the weight of the rain bringing them lower and closer.

Dunc has brought some rusty nail to celebrate Wills entry to Bristol (it being A level results day), and we partake in the bus shelter by the Robin Hood – how classy are we!? (“are we in tramp mode now?” says Pete)

Tis a fine nip, and we can taste that decent whisky has gone into it!

Talk of a quick pint in the Robin Hood is banished as the thought of getting back into wet coats sends a shiver down our collective spines.

Oakenbank beckons, once crested there is a bright stripe in the sky below the low cloud still clinging to the hills. Very mudsplashed and wet by the bottom, before the short stretch of tarmac to the welcoming lights of the Poachers.

Lee has finally caught up, and is on the way up to meet us when he can turn round within sight of the pub

Bin bag protocol needed on the seats, we swap weather tales with the other bedraggled riders who have also been caught unprepared tonight.

Sarah is away, but Matt and Rhod look after us well, and there is a suprise chocolate cake for Butty’s birthday! Adrian has also joined us with Eric’s maps (of vintage edition) and Biscuit makes friends with the Nancies.

Modest AoE with a Leffe (never a bad answer) before girding for a cool ride home, although the skies have cleared, and with the back end of the Perseids – several shooting stars are reported.