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

The magnificent 7 riders gathered in Alwinton village green car park Ian A, Arthur, Rosie, Tom, Gary, Willie and Julie.

The weather was misty on the hills but clear at low level so the waterproof jackets were packed away for the day.

The ski slope was tackled in reverse which was much more achievable for all, Julie decided to strip down to her underwear half way up the ascent obviously feeling relaxed and uninhibited as Graham wasn’t out, the rest of the gentlemen either sped off or averted their eyes, the rewarding descent down pass peth required full concentration as the wet grass and moss made for a perfect skid pan.

The single track towards Fairhaugh was cracking as usual and works both ways the group were spurred on to the last major climb past the Kyloe shin towards Barrowburn.

An early lunch today at Ian and Eunice’s seven hands for soup and crusty bread refillable coffee and cake for the slim lads, Julie decided to toast her gloves on the fire guard, done to a crisp by the end.

Rosie headed for home along the road after lunch whilst the rest headed for the border county ride climbing again into the mist; murder cleugh appeared eerily from the cloud. The return journey had us following the border country ride/clennel street the descent via cross dyke was very fast in the now zero visibility with the mud and mist playing havoc with the eyes.
17 miles complete, a proper ride.

Cheers Willie

On the way home Ian Willie Julie and Tom called into Tomlinson’s coffee shop in Rothbury for one last slice of cake.