3rd December 2014. Frosty

Mountain bike ride

The Cruncher, The Ginger One.

3rd December route

A bit more like winter. Actual frost and everything but clear blue sky and a complete lack of wind, so we were not complaining. A fairly gentle route today after yesterday’s grueller, although the ride/push/carry up Carr Ridge was a less than gentle start. Steady riding across Urra Moor, breaking through the ice on the puddles, past Round Hill, the highest point on the North York Moors and on to Middle Head. A speedy descent to Baysdale followed, sweat freezing as we dropped. The climb from Baysdale Abbey soon warmed us up, The Cruncher, standing in for The Pensioner as rear gunner, suddenly tried an attack (probably learned from his turbo trainer videos) but misjudged the distance to the top of the hill and was reeled in without undue duress. Roady talk, somebody slap me.

Coleson Banks, our next descent, is wrecked, two deep wheel ruts running the length of the track, a raised middle section, slippery with mud, made for  interestingly technical riding. Some dabs were made, one of our number ended up sitting in a water-filled rut but no names will be mentioned, suffice to say he was the only monthly staffer.

Our usual plod through the woods from Bank Foot took us back to Clay Bank, shirking the challenge of Ingleby Incline, much to The Cruncher’s relief.