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

Where - Blanchland 45 min from Newcastle

How many and who - 8 - Ian A, Arthur, Izzy, Terry, Tony, Tom, Kev and Stuart

How Far - 25 miles

Time - Departed at 10.00am and returned to cars at 15.40pm - 5 hrs 40 mins

Weather - Overcast to start the day turning sunny after lunch

Route :

• Blanchland-1/2 mile warm up before the 600ft road climb up to the miners trail descent into Edmondbyers-Across the Dam, through Minsteracres to the A68- High Fotherley Farm-Healey-Todburn Wood-Slaley-past Highclear –another 600ft ascent to Actoncleugh Head-Tony, Arthur and Stuart headed straight on via Pennypie House and the remainder completed the day on the Carriers way-Birkside Fell and Stot Hill
Ins and outs

• A few riders less than usual due to various circumstances
• First timer with the club today Stuart another bod from Ian’s work who managed to keep up in front despite his age(He did nowt at work the next day though)
• Basically this was Marks route but starting in Blanchland rather than Slaley
• A good mix of trails,singletrack and big climbs
• Two punctures all day at the same time for Tony and the bad news is that the rest of the party had passed through two gates and 11/2 miles before realising that he was missing, and someone went a long way back to find him.tisk tisk.

Thanks to all who attended

Cheers

Ian A

See photos of the ride here.