Flaming June? It Was Warmer In February.

Flaming June? It Was Warmer In February.

Monday 10th June 2019

Rod

The start of another week and allegedly the best day of the week, weather-wise and to be honest we had better days in February, so what awaits us in the next few days remains to be seen, the forecast is pretty dire. Up to now this summer has been like my old school reports, predominantly 'could do better' with a sprinkling of 'largely disinterested'. I met Rod in Birk Brow car park and we made our way to The Jolly Sailors pub to pick up a bridleway over Gerrick Moor, which is a new track to both of us. Quite pleasant despite being uphill all the way. It comes out at the start of the Sis Cross bridleway on Robin Hood’s Butts, it would have been rude not to continue along the bridleway, which is still in good nick, although a few ominous muddy puddles are appearing. Today it is quite bright, but cold, spoiling itself further with a slight moisture in the wind, as though it can’t decide whether to rain or not. 

A bit of tarmac bashing took us to our next trail, the  Pannierman’s Causeway, from the Danby Beacon road to Danby, a partially paved trod, one of many common around the moors, leading downhill to Danby. Near the bottom passing the famous Beware Of Flying Bees sign, something which was guaranteed to have the ever pedantic Pensioner frothing at the mouth, the original sign, which had faded to illegibility, has been remade in engraved wood, perpetuating the witticism for further generations. We passed through the village and continued to Danby Park, following the track through trees and behind cottages to reach the Castleton road and the long climb to the Quaker’s Causeway. Possibly of monastic origin, this trod is much older than the name suggests, and constructed from stone blocks not porridge oats. 

With the exception of myself and Rod, the very suggestion of the Quaker’s Causeway fills everyone else with the sort of discomposure generally reserved for hostile colonoscopy or being the allegorical one-legged man in the arse-kicking contest. I can’t see what the problem is, especially on a full suspension bike with fat tyres, a bit of momentum and it sails by, not quite the buttock-friendly, sanitised riding experience of a trail centre but cutting across the usually boggy moor very satisfactorily. 

A short while later we were sampling the delights of the burger van in Birk Brow car park and wondering what the rest of the week will hold, in view of the grim forecast. (It’s Friday as I write this and we are midway through the third consecutive day of solid rain.)

Relive 'Flaming June? It was warmer in February.'

Check The Calendar. Is It Really June?

Tuesday 11th June 2019

Sean

Today the weatherman spoke with forked tongue but we weren’t complaining, the day of perpetual precipitation didn’t transpire although the temperature barely managed to make it into double figures - celsius of course, or centigrade to us more mature gentlemen. A bit of a late start today because I had to pick my bike up from the bike hospital where, like my grandad's new hip, its worn out bottom bracket had been replaced.

Me and young Sean drove directly to Pinchinthorpe car park, once again throwing three quid into the bulging coffers of the council - The Breadlad’s globe-trotting lifestyle will be forever out of my reach if this profligacy continues. In deference to my companion, the ‘easy’ start was used, the one which passes the Blue Lake - not very blue today and calling it a lake is a bit of an exaggeration, so, we passed the grey pond and continued upward to the Unsuitables’ crossroad. Much to the relief of my companion, we did not continue up the Unsuitables (in case anyone is wondering, the Unsuitables is a long track which climbs from Hutton Village, up through Guisborough Woods to a gate which opens out to Percy Cross Rigg on Hutton Moor, a climb of around 450 feet. It is named from an Unsuitable For Motors sign at the bottom.)

We continued through the forest on fire roads, climbing again to the seat below Highcliffe Nab, where a pause to take on board sugary snacks and take in the view over Guisborough occurred, fuelling us up for the next stage of the ride. . Some more up and down fire road, a couple of trails and a bit of help from the unseasonably cold wind, (is it really June?) and we were at the famous or infamous, depending which way you’re riding it, concrete road. We were going the famous way, concrete and gravel downhill to pick up the old rail path back to Hutton Village, Sean once again misjudging his speed and skidding in a spectacular fashion past the turning in a cloud of dust and loose stones. Gentler riding through suburban Guisborough brought us back to the Home Farm turn off and the chance for an extra loop if his young legs could take it. They declined the offer in favour of tea and sausage sandwiches in the cafe - not a bad decision.

Relive 'Check The Calendar. Is It Really June?'