THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses") MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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Where : Isaac’s Tea Trail Allendale, Sunday June 6th
(Local man Isaac Holden, a 19th century lead miner turned Methodist preacher and tea seller, has a 36-mile (58 km) circular walk and ride named after him - Isaac's Tea Trail. This trail passes through Ninebanks)
Travel time : For future reference 1hr from West Moor
Facilities : Toilets shop and lovely café in the village
How many and who : 7, Julie, Tom, Willie, Arthur, Suzanne, Terry and Ian A
How Far : 21 miles
Time : Departed at 10.00am and returned to cars at 14.30pm : 4 ½ hrs
Weather : Warm mainly dry am the odd shower after lunch pm

Route :
• It was Allendale fair this weekend but fortunately the main event was on Saturday so we were lucky to find parking spaces in the town square
• A quick nose at Dave’s now rejected stone house before the 700ft climb to the second chimney on Dryburn Moor
• 3 quick miles mainly downhill before the return to the bridles at Hartley Cleugh passing the remains of a what was once substantial Bridge the stone now dispersed amongst the many walls and farms throughout the area.
• The bridal is now dissected by at least four gates and as many abandoned derelict houses and barns each one crumbling and unloved,(Not like Julies Rhubarb Crumble which was well loved)
• A bit of a push over the tussock strewn moor followed as the group split to try and find what is a a well marked bridle on the map
• Tom won to late the rest had already reached the finger post, lets hope its third time lucky next time
• A total relief to get back on the bikes, I’m sure my calves were just about ready to explode.
• A beautifully swooping single track put the smiles back on our faces as we followed the Tea Trail
• Lunch was taken after much discussion at Nan Davison’s Cleugh before continuing our descent.
• A few lefts and rights on the minor roads and tracks before a 500ft climb up Byerhope Bank which had the added challenge of very loose stones on each of the bends
• Broadway now and the homeward leg, Jelly baby stop at the shooting hut whilst sheltering from the angry woodcock/Snipe protecting its nearby nest
• Pikely Rigg,Hangman Hill and Stobb Cross appeared and disappeared in rapid succession with all eyes focused on the ever changing track, some people preferring to be out in front with a good view of the trail ahead and others tailgating along trusting in the leaders judgement, which didn’t work all the time
• The skies were getting darker and the rain getting ever closer as we hit the final road descent over 40mph for some and gravel on the bends kept your attention until we were spat out at the car park.
• All packed up in the dry, Terry was off to watch the world cup downhill and the rest had time for a toasted teacake, coffee and Victoria sponge in the local cafe

A great ride that has potential to get even better - Thanks again Willie
Cheers
Ian