We assembled at the Cave for an eight o'clock start so we could be back in time to witness the predicted demise of the English footy stars against Germany in the World Cup.
Steve Le Beemer has morphed into Steve De Vito with the acquisition of a lovely blacked-out black Mercedes Vito minibus with some stylish and sporty touches. And better than that, he's offering it for the Wales Week in August so we'll sure have plenty of living space on our travels.
Today saw a welcome return for Ian M who's been somewhat pre-occupied with work and wedding arrangements of late, and Justin appeared for a rare Sunday outing joining Chris D, Tim, Pixie, Alan and Terry for a spin around one of our favourite routes, Hexhamshire Common. Pretty good turnout considering most people didn't want to risk missing the match. Thanks to Alan for the use of his motor and for carrying Justin who prefers a smooth ride to being jostled about in the van.
We left at 0815 and were riding an hour later up that long, straight tarmac stretch to the start of the off-road section at Crabtree Ford, where navigator-in-chief Chris, as usual, blasted up Burnt Ridge in glorious sunshine with a strong breeze coming from our right. Some of the trail, especially beyond the gully at Backstone Cleugh seemed somewhat rougher than normal and there were a great many different lines chosen as we weaved our way along the singletracks climbing towards the high point at Windyhead.
After about an hour we hit the gnarliest bit where the gorse bushes forced even more line variations, and it was while Terry was ploughing through some of the thicker stuff that a clump of it wrapped itself around the Hitman's cassette and yanked off the XTR derailleur, depositing it above instead of below the chainstay. One mech hanger rendered useless.
We didn't spend too much time considering the alternatives before Terry declared he was just going to freewheel back down to the cars. That met with mass disapproval so he singlespeeded the DDG and set off in front to see how far he could get it. The top of the hill proved reachable and then through the Windyhead Gate and off the moors down to the B6295 was easy, freewheeling all the way.
Chris stuck a waypoint in his GPS at the road junction while Terry set off early to climb up to the next turnoff for Rye Close. It was there that he decided 32-30 wasn't the ideal gearing to complete the rest of the ride with so he chose to head back on the road. Steve had also hit his deadline, (how keen is he, out for an hour and a half with all his weekend travelling from Harrogate on top?) needing to be back for a family engagement, so the two rode off into the sunrise while Chris led the team down to the river and the rest of the loop.
"Sunrise" for Steve and Terry proved to be a bridleway signposted Sinderhope but pointing away from it to start with. The initial climb was a steep, rocky walk for the Old One while Steve pushed in sympathy. It took them to the high point at Sipton Law from where they enjoyed a superb stretch of downhill weaving through single and dual tracks, no pedalling required. Unfortunately, they (well, navigator Terry) hadn't noticed the trail twist across to the north and when they hit tarmac they made the right decision but couldn't believe it when it plopped them way back on the road at the Sinderhope junction again! Nice loop though, and we'll probably include it in a future ride up here.
There was nothing else they could do but retrace their route back up Windyhead again, but once up top it was a massive stretch of downhill once more all the way back to the cars. A full 5.5 miles of pedal free singletracking - wow! So no need to feel sorry for us having to cut our ride short, gents - we probably got the richest pickings anyway!
Steve dropped Terry back at Gosforth Park to stay on schedule and the former was home after a slow ride through the trees for 1300. No-one in the house though, and his keys were back at the GollyMobile in Whitley Chapel, so he had to sit in the sunshine awaiting rescue from Mrs Gollum who turned up half an hour later.
The only thing I can report from the main group ride is that with the exception of Justin (I think) they all came a cropper at least once on their return loop over the moors. See what happens if I'm not there to protect them? (ie slow them down!). Anyway, we all got home in plenty of time to witness the inevitable World Cup exit, so you really could have been there if that was your reason for skipping this one.