Elsdon & Redesdale circuit
A dozen Muddy Bums were on show today - Gavin, Graham, Terry, Arthur, Ian S, Ian A, Willie, Julie, Kevin, Dave, Derek and Mark.
The starting point was Elsdon Village where we filled the car park and a few of the later arrivals had to look elsewhere. The day was cloudy and quite windy - but most started with cags in packs rather than on backs. This soon changed where at the top of the first climb onto Otterburn Ranges the wind blew over a very dark cloud that thoroughly showered us all.
Thankfully this was a shower of the short sharp variety and the rest of the day was mainly dry with only a few very light sprinkles of rain. And despite the rather strong wind, it never seemed to cause us any real trouble. The ground was pretty wet though after a lot of over night rain, and a few of the moorland and fellside tracks hid very wet holes for the brave or inattenttive. Ian A was both when he soon took a head plant into a particularly wet clay pit of a hole.
The ride quickly reached Otterburn and then set off across country - alongside the River Rede. Knowing we would have to cross this river without the benefit of a bridge made us all pay closer than normal attention to its depth and rate of flow. Arriving at the chosen spot saw a variety of techniques on show as to how to avoid a swim or a wet pair of shorts. Willies Mankini effort was definitely the winner though - Borat would be jealous.
We then took a series of bridles (and one or two detourers) down the Valley before stopping for lunch by a rope swing, near a rather impressive stone bridge. Gavin and Dave showed the most youthful spirit and used the rope swing to full effect.
Lunch was followed by a rather long climb up onto Raylees Common, passing above Linnheads on a series of wet, tussocky bridles. At one stop Gavin found a beautiful small frog had hopped up onto his rear tyre.
The offical bridle across Raylees Common was almost indistinguishable on the ground, with a slightly beter track heading diagnollay across the common. This we took enjoying the wild open spaces, until the track disappeared, as did a few of us in the deep wet holes. A shortish walk took us to a delightful trail across the last of the moor and onto the main road. From here we soon picked up another bridle which heads towards Winter Gibbet. Unfortunately the next 3 miles was very tussocky indeed so many stretches were rather hard work (and most agreed we were glad to have done this route -but wouldn't rush back to try it again !).
Winter Gibbet saw the usual Gallows Humour flowing effortlessly from the tired bunch - before a fast road descent to Elsdon Village. Most of the group made for a tea room (whilst Mark shot off to catch the wife's tea at Hallington Lake - a nice 17inch Rainbow Tout was in the bag within the hour).
All in all this was a great training ride for next weeks Pooley Bridge & High Street exertions.
Mark
THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND
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