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

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Muddybums out;- Ian.A, Ian.S, Julie, Willie, Izzy, Steve, Chris, Tom, Graham Mac, Kev.H

Weather;- Typical April in the north Pennines-very changeable cold north easterly wind, frequent showers, sunny spells, alot warmer in the afternoon

Distance;- 22miles . Height climbed;- 1800 ft

Journey time;- 1 1/4 hours from Ashington

Route
This was a quickly rearranged route from the initial planned ride in the Yorkshire dales due to travel times/fuel costs etc.. However it turned out to be a more than suitable alternative.

From Garrigill village out and climbing up onto the Pennine way was a lung busting start but with good visibility in this area of outstanding natural beauty it kept the smiles and enthusiasm going-just! Up over the quarry the heavens opened and combined with that bitter wind everyone was pushing hard down [yes I said down!] to Gregs Hut for a much deserved snack/lunch or was it change of clothes/dry off stop? Everyone certainly enjoyed the respite from the weather although Steve had a nasty fall and gashed his knee on the approach but was washed up in the bothy. During the brief break Ian S decided that he was carrying to much water in his camel back and emptied the excess out over all who were sitting close enough to him so if the rain didn't get Ian did!

Setting off from the hut Willie decided to tackle a rather offensive rocky section [everyone else just pushed] and clipped his leg on the fall-ouch! but you can always count on Julie to offer support, or perhaps not, Willie soldiered on with out a care. Rather than descend into Kirkland village and lose all that hard earned height we took a route through some more dis-used quarrys and over the moor negotiating plenty of rocks, peat bogs, streams and heather until we met up with Maiden way here being rewarded with a fast but stony descent. Although Tom was rewarded reluctantly with a burst tube and tyre and a buckled rim!, a quick climb onto the A686 then a speedy tarmac drop into Leadgate where Tom helped by Willie once again repaired the tyre.Using several techniques some not as conventional as others- toothpaste tubes? ask Ian.A? but hey it worked!

Finishing off the ride hand railing the river in a 'not so legal' bridle [or was it footpath?] who cares we all enjoyed with no harm done back in to Garrigill.

Oh did I mention it was me Birthday on the Friday I managed to reach 21 for the second time around! So coffee and cakes were on me at a very multi cultural cafe where we managed to eat them out of fruit scones and Willie being... well Willie was finished first, just as he is on the climbs I guess.

A big thank you to all who turned out for yet another cracking ride.

See ya all soon.

Kev.H