BASLOW CIRCLE
21/02/2010
"oh the weather outside is frightful, but the ride was so delightful, so since we've all said we'll go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"
Great ride out today, after a flurry of early morning bail outs and excuses due to the heavy overnight snowfall, the brave / stupid (delete as appropriate) few met up at the services, after a coffee it was decided to go ahead with the original planned route so off we set.
Late bail on route by Roger and Clone due to dicey driving conditions after watching cars and vans slither sideways on the hill out of Eyam meant only 12 riders lined up for the start: Pol, Spesh, Tyre and Tracey, Muddyryder, Hendy, Chunk, Top gun, Pieman, Bazza, Dave Curzon and myself were out.
After starting from the plague village of Eyam we got rolling in the deep snow, most of the train was covered in between 6 inches to up to 2 foot in places.
The ride proved to be a great and robust winter route with good surfaces covered in deep fresh grippy snow. We got rolling with a decent slip slidey road climb followed by a good rocky rooty descent made all the more tricky with the snow, at the bottom Pol discovered a well taco'd wheel which wouldn't turn in the frame, but a bit of Art Dave magic (whacking it repeatedly on the ground at the bend spot) had it straight and it lasted fine for the rest of the ride.
We plodded on, beautiful picture postcard vistas all around; the scenery was truly awesome accentuated with the thick snow.
Another good descent with many comedy falls into snow followed and then a really stiff road climb followed with many hidden summits certainly woke up the legs up and got everyone sweating, it dragged on and on and each time you thought you were at the top it would wind around another corner and continue to climb. A good rolling bridleway followed, then more stiff climbing and good woodland descent to an icy stream crossing, followed quickly by a sharp technical climb, a broken chain for Top gun caused by too much Orange Power, followed by a snowball pelting!
A road section took us to the next bridleway, with a good long off road climb with an optional extra descent loop followed, then a cold and quick butty stop.
The next bridleway was a rutted affair and deep snow meant no idea of the correct line leading to much comedy offs; bikes and riders were flying off left and right. A short road section, then a good long climb up to the mast and the signal of the final descent of the day which again was a snow covered belter, this plopped us out right back to the cars for a welcome end of ride.
Back at the car park all agreed it was a cracking winter ride, great snow, great conditions and great company. Big thanks to Mark for a great lead and to all for making the day another great one in the club history. Lastly luckily the roads were clear as a bell on the way back so all got out of Eyam safely.
Art Dave
|
Homepage
