Ride 025.

Date:    20th July 2004             Distance: 17 miles

Like the Zen tree falling in the woods; is a Terra Trailblazers ride really a Terra Trailblazers ride without Blind Bob? Yes, so long as you have Chris to moan about the downhills and Simon to moan about the uphills. We assembled at Pinchinthorpe, in the relative heat of a North Yorkshire summer’s day, some of us regulars joined by Geoff the Tiffy, who’d sneaked off from his horticultural holiday for a spot of riding.  

Into the woods past Bousefield House and the first climb of the day – Chris seemed to think I was joking when I said it was two and a half miles predominantly upward. Fire roads took us to Roseberry Common, then a welcome plunge downward through Aireyholme Farm and along the road to Dikes Lane, before climbing up again to Easby Moor and the bracken-tunnel singletrack to Mill Bank Wood. More downhill through the wood, Geoff realising the limitations of his rigid Marin on the rocky track, and a little tarmac took us to Glebe Cottage tearooms. The under-thirty contingent opting for lager, mainly because of Simon’s nutritional advice:

“It’s alright, alcohol doesn’t have any calories…”

“Are you sure Simon?”

“Well only traces of calories.” 

Refreshed, our motley crew took to the road again, crossing the Middlesbrough to Whitby rail line at New Row before the loose and rocky bridleway back up to Percy Cross Rigg defeated us all, except Paul, grimly spinning away, grinding through the fist-size pebbles and wet slabs. On Percy Cross Rigg, a welcome breeze helped us on our way down to Sleddale, then more climbing, over Codhill Heights, brought us back to Guisborough Woods at Highcliffe Nab.  

It was time to show Chris the Apprentice another aspect of mountain bike riding – woodland singletrack. A brief blast down the fire road, a sharp left and we were on the Black Route’s first bit of singletrack, wheel-width beside, then into the trees, swooping up and down, over roots and through muddy puddles. Regrouping on a muddy fire road, we raced down to Bold Venture Ghyll, following the wide forest roads back towards Highcliffe, turning left at the bottom of the steep hill, then left again at tree number 32 (why a tree has number 32 spray painted on it I have no idea but it’s a handy guide) and down The Chute, a sunken gully filled with surprises. Most of us even managed to ride up and around the fence at the end; as ever Chris took things somewhat cautiously, while we waited at the bottom offering helpful advice of the close your eyes and go for it nature.  

A level(ish) track brought us out into the sadly pub-less Hutton Village and the last (honestly) climb of the day – the steep tarmac leading back into Guisborough Woods. Inspired by the current Tour De France we formed a tight peleton and pounded our way up the climb, chatting amiably as we went. No we didn’t, I must have been having some kind of vision of the future there, to when we are all fit and capable. In reality, two out of five managed to pedal up, the other three pushed. Who cares, we all made it to the penultimate bit of singletrack, The Whoops and followed it through the trees, winding its way via more roots, rocks and mud to the inevitable fire road. We followed the fire road to the last section of the manufactured downhill track, which seemed to be over rather too quickly, followed by another fire road blast back to the car park. 

Predictably enough it began raining as we packed the bikes away but we were not bothered by then, mud-covered, bramble-scratched and nettle-stung, a summer shower couldn’t damp our spirits. In the opinion of all present, Chris the Apprentice is greatly improved and we might take the stabilisers off his bike for the next ride. Even Simon acquitted himself well considering it is two months since he last ventured out with the Terra Trailblazers.

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