Well we finally were getting out again, typical though stay in all summer and start fresh in the middle of the Winter!
Just the hardcore MTB'ers Gray and myself (mad fools). We met under the bridge at Bitton again and headed on on our merry way. Weather wasn't too bad this time - bit chilly but nothing compared to what I've ben experiencing on the way to work at 7am!
The initial climb seemed easier this time (must be the additional training I've been putting in ----- Yeah right! more like the big bowl of ready brek!) After the road/lane section of the climb the track gradually turns in to a bridleway and this was the point where our troubles began! There was some sort of mutant mud everywhere. It clogged to our tyres then picked up more and eventually clogged up behind the V's so much that my wheels wouldn't turn! Time to carry it, well try to it weighed about 40lbs with all the mud.
We spent the next 10 minutes poking all the mud off with bits of twig and finally managed to free the wheels.
We carried on and decided to stay off the mud for now and take a short cut through the woods instead. The next section (downhill) was great some kind folk have been track clearing and it was so much easier to descend without brambles dragging through the inside of your elbows! With the downhill completed quite quickly we moved on to the little country lane stint - gears-a-clunking & knees-a-knocking a few quick stops to small tree's from my chan wheels and we were ready for the next up & down section.
Climb was a bitch but the downhill was very enjoyable, well almost except for one fast corner that offered you a full ice lake on the exit! it's thew first time I've ever been overtaken by the back of my bike whilst still riding! Still - got to the ford at the bottom and submerged bikes to try and make them a bit cleaner and work properly.
We continued up the hill past the mad dog through the country lanes and then down the last bit of single track. This was a great section (and my favorite of the whole ride) but it looks like the maniacs in their 4X4's have been down there chewing it all up and some sections are just un-rideable! on through the brook and climb out on th the lane. We decided to take a diversion this time and followed the lane to bring us out in Wick, then we just followed the road home.
Not one of the most memorable rides I have been on but they can't all be! and as I said earlier I was just glad to be out again.
Hopefully the next ride is in 2-3 weeks time and somewhere different perhaps the Dundry loop starting from Ashton. Anyone interested in coming along then let me know