Hethpool Ride
8.45 am on an improving Sunday morning, 2 Ian’s, Willie and Julie are having a pre-ride (well Julie is actually being walked by the dogs today and technically not a rider) tea and teacake at Powburn service café, wondering who would show at Hethpool for the 10am start.
9.45 am at Hethpool and Dave, Terry and Kevin are already there preparing.
Bang on time and Graeme and Michelle roll up making for a healthy turnout. After a quick(ish) change of tyres for Michelle, 8 riders are off along the beautiful College valley – trying not to upset the shepherd farmers drilling (it’s probably not a farming term) sheep along the road.
Tarmac and gravel gradually morph into double track at Mounthooley and the search for the bridal path to today’s first big climb is on. A bit of back-tracking and hill gazing later and good guesswork leads to the bridal.
The cooling effects of a brief shower are soon forgotten as the climb is a good’n with a fair angle and length with a decent helping of tussocks, reeds, soft spots, single-track ruts (obvious and not so), and plenty of heavy breathing ( no Ian A wasn’t thinking about bog-totty)( – well he probably was actually).
Regrouping at the summit looking down into the fantastic valley ahead, oxygen, fluid and energy bars are consumed before a sweet contour descent into Corrburn Valley – highlighted with a brief pause for Kevin to demonstrate some fine rut – riding with a double toe loop salko, otherwise known as an over the bars 360.
A leg-restoring spin along the scenic valley floor is perfect to chat, take in the views, river and a new stone bridge with a hood.
Lunch (sustenance) is taken by the river. Ian S proved that you can cross a river several times (with one minor dab) only to fall off while parking the bike for lunch and landing in a large cows**t pie, covering gilet, shirt and back in lime green doo-doo. Lunch time entertainment is then provided by shirt and body washing Bear Grylls style.
Off again along the river bank skirting Yetholm and up to Kirk Yetholm with a magnificent dark stone church and overlooking crags.
Time for the major ascent towards ‘home’ and Dave decides it’s time to make lesser mortals feel better by pretending to slip during a slimy-stoned stream crossing. This doesn’t slow him down for long and soon the serious climbing is underway.
Half way up and Willie at the group head finally pauses to let others catch up. This is the intersection with St Cuthbert’s way and a solitary walker picks his way through the scattered bikes and seated riders. Terry is disappointed to learn that St Cuthbert hadn’t pulled through, but soon gets over it as the second part of the climb beckons.
Dregs are sucked from depleted bladders and water is shared before climbing again. The final big grind is followed by another glorious contour double track drop (footpath my clarty – ar$e!).
Steady on back to the car park where a waiting Julie is very happy to learn of everyone’s delightful ride – and indeed it had been a peach! Not overly long but very sweet.
A final regroup for all at Powburn service café where cRappuccino is in good supply makes for a fitting end to a good day out.
–Thanks to all for good organisation, route finding and great company.
Ian S
THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND
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