Ride 065.

Date:     12th January 2006          Distance:  15.75

Which idiot forgot the cafe is closed on Thursday?

Not an auspicious beginning to the year, the Terra Trailblazers first ride of 2006 and it proved to be cafe-less but not coffee-less. More later.  We assembled at Pinchinthorpe in good spirits disregarding the cold, the mud and the headwind, five us soon panting through the woods, the first fire road climbs only slightly muddy and the trees sheltering us from the worst of the wind. Reaching Roseberry Common the reality became more apparent, slimy mud preventing us all from cleaning the climbs. Although it has to be said some people did try harder than others. After the usual push up the paved section to Newton Moor, we remounted for a pleasant scoot across the moor leading to a woodland descent so nice we're keeping it secret to prevent erosion of the soft surface. Suffice to say, we emerged somewhere near Gribdale Gate, elciting moans of despair from certain riders, who suddenly realise what comes next.

Yes, it was a quick blast up the fire road to Captain Cook's Monument, quick, naturally enough, being a relative term, especially if those relatives happened to be wheel-chair bound pensioners. The ride down through the woods down from the monument, was too brief but still excellent, depositing us, mud-splattered and grinning onto the road above Bankside Farm. One 35 mph blast down the road later and we were stood at the locked gate to Glebe Cottage, suddenly remembering what day it was - Thursday. Bugger. Luckily, Kildale Post Office was able to provide us with our essential requirements, coffee and sandwiches, Simon purchasing a sandwich despite the bin liner full he had in his backpack. This being roughly the halfway point in our ride, we had another bonus, the wind would be behind us for the rest of the way.

Replete, we made our way along to New Row then up the hill onto Percy Cross Rigg, albeit slowly owing to a mechanical on Oz's bike, fixed by Howard, who was heard to say;

"Four people trained in engineering skills and a nurse fixes the bike..."

We took advantage of the following wind and had an easy ride over Codhill Heights and back to Guisborough Woods, where we utilised sections of the Black Route and a final muddy blast down The Whoops, which claimed one casualty - Chris, who had a spectacular fall, unfortunately while the camera was safely in it's case. We regrouped on the fire road where Howard's back wheel decided to fall off as he turned his Orange to face the way home.

Back to the car park, muddy but feeling that warm glow of satisfaction from pitting unwilling limbs and lungs against the wild, untamed wilderness of North Yorkshire. This week it was Guisborough Woods next week it could be The Iditabike - or probably not, depends how many cafes there are really.

 Height Profile: (click to enlarge)

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