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

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Muddybums out- 10 Willie, Julie, Izzy, Suzanne, Terry, Tom, Graham Mc, Ian.S, Arthur & Kev.H

Weather- overcast with sunny spells, cold breeze all day no higher than 8' Ascent- 4760 feet Distance- 21miles
Duration- 5 hours, starting at 10.30 [see below!] finished at 15.30 & start point was only 1hr 20mins from Ashington!!

Route- Well the start today couldn’t of been much better, I don’t mean the route Im refering to the mug of coffee and bacon butty in the Dales bike centre. Kev and Ian joining Willie, Julie, Terry, Arthur & Suzanne around 09.30 and tucking straight in, Izzy tipped up nearer 10.00 and refrained from any beverages [saving her money for later I guess] however Tom and Graham turned up well after
10.00 as they hadnt noticed the change of location from Gunnerside to Fremmington well I reckon they missed out on some quality dead pig.

Then we set off and starts wont get any stiffer than the climb up onto Fremmington edge as warm layers were shed and at times bikes pushed for part of the way up, gladly we were all rewarded with stunning views right across the valley. We handrailed along Fremmington edge top until we hit the quarry and we were then treated with a short but cracking descent down to Langthwaite village,
another climb although this one was alot shorter over raw bank then time for a quick snack stop at fore gill gate Before the mazy route over Reeth moor fitting in lunch on the way to Great Pinseat at 583m our highest point of the day with far reaching views thrown in for good measure, the ground wasn’t that technical but boggy and unpredictable in places which saw some of us lose it a bit and get
a bit more aquainted with the Dales landscape. Then onto the top of Melbecks Moor saw the group get separated as Tom sped off down the valley alone and not seen again until we got back to the cars, what a shame as from here on in the day just got even better as we started the long and enjoyable descent down Winterings edge on what I can only be described as good as some intimate time
with one particular geordie X factor judge! As the cracking views continued I'd have needed a box of lemons to take the smile from my face it was as good as anything I've ridden down in Northern England.

Jelly baby stop at Barf End Gate and to take in the route we'd just descended- bliss. Then crossing the river Swale
beyond Gunnerside we were treated to some more mountain biking pleasures down a bridle cum single track with as much down as up handrailing along the river side. I also checked out a camping barn that would be perfect for a return visit, with the end almost in site Izzy decided on taking an early bath and found the muddiest deepest puddle she could and promptly wiped out but with Julie on hand
to offer her support [the earlier box of lemons were needed as Julie was totally tickled by Izzies fall] fortunatlely no harm done.

Shortly after Graham took a tumble and hurt his shoulder as if that wasn’t enough Willie decided to help him
up then promptly threw him back down as they both slipped helplessly on the mud, me included twice and I wasn’t even on me bike! Graham rode slowly and cautiously back in.

We had no punctures or mechanicals to complain about and we all just hope that Graham makes a quick recovery.On the final leg we all agreed that the ride had a 'bit of everthing thrown in' and we must come again real soon.

We met back up with Tom back at the bike centre to swap stories, and then it was Izzies turn to entertain again as she picked up the bill for tea and cakes as it was her 28th birthday [I think?] cheers Izzy.

Thanks to Willie for the route and to Izzy for navigating a great day out infact to be honest it was 'cock on'

See ya all soon.

Kev.H