Chaplog tries hard

Woodhead Snake circle

It could have been a mistake to go for a long cycle ride with two lads whose combined ages were considerably less than either Steve or myself on its own. I trust Steve, and thankfully they had weaknesses that he had recognised at an early stage in the invitation process. The trouble was they were relatively minor. The weakness was that they worked on a farm and had not had a day off all summer - had to get up dead early to do the milking. The significance of this was that they could not have been training on a bike. I became a little concerned, when I found out, that they rode trials bikes as this meant that they had all the bike skills necessary for the rough ground that would be a major part of today's ride.

The ride started from Padfield and went along the Longendale trail. No problems here as the young ones were still polite and did not overtake the older ones. We got to the Woodhead tunnel and started up the Woodhead pass, The young ones started to pull ahead, I became a little worried that life was about to get tough. Then would you believe it just as the gap was developing John's chain broke.

Steve mended the chain and I took a rest. Afterwards the final part of the climb was pleasant, Down to the Floutch inn playing racing cyclists - all in a line and taking it in turns at the front - silly but great fun. From the Floutch inn is the most "out there" bit of mountain biking in the Peak. A long stretch of technical riding. It takes full concentration and takes about an hour and a half. The descent is something else. I remember Steve commenting, "You are a bloody maniac", a number of years ago on the way that I took the descent to the Dewent. Today attempting to follow Jo I could only be impressed by the way he disregarded all the signs of danger and flowed down the hillside, impressive I could not start to follow his line.

We took the Bamford side of the Derwint at speed looking forward to a brew. Imagine our disappointment at arriving at the visitors centre and being bitten to death my midges. A quick exit and just the Snake Pass to finish the ride. I have done this ride three or four times. Todays ride was the easiest as the conditions were completely dry and we stopped at convenient times for me. I did not make the top of the Snake firts but I was not last. Cycling produces a great appetite. I Fell asleep in front of the television yet again.

Posted by mikec at September 1, 2003 10:09 PM