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

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Leaving home and on the way to Alwinton the day started overcast and drizzling. She who MUST be obeyed had said to pack clothes for all seasons and to be prepared. Wondering to myself what did she mean be prepared only to find out later. Arriving in the car park last saw another six muddybums eager to know what the route for the day would be. Shortly after ten saw willie, julie, ian, arthur, dave, tim, derek and gavin make their way along past the remainder of vehicles disgarded from saturday's show and onward to Clennel Hall. This is where the familiatary of our usual jaunts to this neck of the world changes we turned and headed up the farmers track through to the bottom of a grassy field and we had to change our altitude somewhat arriving at the small wicket gate saw folk's lungs wanting out of the chest cavity.

A quick breather was had and people wanted to know how much more climbing was involved, once through the copice of trees the question was answered the ground conditions were perfect and another climb was nailed by only but a few. The singletrack dropped us down to a small river crossing and upwards towards old rookland which is now just a ruin of a farm. The bridle leaving here was quite easy to follow but once out onto the moor the bridle disappears and navigating this section is done with care. Arriving at the bottom of Puncherton some of us recognised where we were. Moving on we picked up the bridle that would take us towards Bleak Law where I lost the bridle completely and SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED headed away with a splinter group and no map (as she is prone to do). The two groups were on two tracks that ran parrallel with each other but on two different hills.The main group with the map arrived at the marker post and the gentlemen that we are waited for the rest to catch up and to listen to what her from indoors had to say - and guess what - we were wrong (apparantly). From here we enjoyed the banter and the amazing singletrack all the way down to lunch there was no reassurance being given so I was out there on my own hunting down the track. Lunch was taken under the blazing autumnal sunshine there seemed to be no urgency to get started again as a ford crossing lay ahead straight away. Building work is still in progress converting the old barn at Hazelton Rigg , we stopped and admired the setting for a couple of minutes.

We now had a small section of tarmac to link the second half of the ride which was all new to all the bridles turned out to be well defined and all rideable which was a blessing as not to receive a tongue lashing from the other half. Snacks were had in the shelter of the trees at Newton which we rode through hoping that they would last for an age but dont. Back onto grass fields the smell of coffee was starting to get stronger. Through the split in the trees and downhill to the caravan park saw us back to Alwinton with no takers for another climb so we took the option of having a cuppa amongst the locals who were obviously remanising about the day and night of the show.

Thanks to all who turned out and made for a crackin day, signing off - St Willie of Clennell !!!!!!