North York Moors

Sunday saw 5 Muddybums gather in the quaint little village of Kildale Nth Yorks.

This village seems like miles away but in reality it's only an hour and a half from home. Terry and Dave were todays pilot and co pilot. First obstacle to overcome was to find Dave some snacks to use as lunch from the local convenience store, Dave arrived back with all that the store had to offer and that totalled to a packet of chocolate digestives and a couple of packets of crisps.

We left the vehicles shortly after ten when we were in agreeance that this would be it for this visit. Straight into a stiff road climb cleared the cobwebs from the old lungs - this black stuff then gave way to a double track - in turn giving way to the first downhill on a sketchy grassy bank. This bank had some vehicle ruts hidden amongst the damp grass but all of us escaped any disasters yet all had a story to tell. If you know the moors area you know that if you drop any height at all you have to climb to get the height back straight away. Occasinally you have to hike with a bike as one or two places have been ripped up by the motor bikes and the amount of rain that we have encounted over the last couple of years have badly eroded the track. Terry being Terry kept everybody focussed on this section by telling us to look for your line as this will be the last decent of the day.

Whilst regrouping at the bottom Kev let us know that today he was out to improve on his spectacular dismounts - some would be whilst he was travelling, some would be whilst he was stationary. Kev was out to have a bad day collecting as many air miles as one could.

Clothes were hastly disgarded once we cleared the climb up through the wood as temperatures began to soar.Crossing this next section it was noticable the lack of tyre marks on the ground yet the trails were all well used. Morning snacks were going to be had at a spot next to a small river but low and behold two walkers had claimed the seat they were the only people we had encounted since leaving the village so we pressed on aiming for an early lunch. Once we had finished lunch and having a bit of light hearted banter (more commonly known as taking the pish) another mamoth climb lay ahead taking us to Dale Head Farm where an interesting piece of archtiectual stone work had us guessing as to what it would be used for i think that this was just a delaying tactic to what lay ahead. Not often this is allowed when we are out but some decided that with todays heat helmets were to be removed for this climb, push, shove what ever way is best. A small amount more of tarmac climb was broken up by a roadie coming towards us with long blonde hair waving from behind bringing a smile to some (Terry, Dave,Kev n Willie). Paving slabs were in place on some of the wettest parts of the moor. After a technical descent Kev asked Terry if we could stop at the next river allowing him to get cleaned up a bit. Daves biscuits were certainly giving him plenty of fuel as he took over up front for a while. More fluid was taken on board at the local free house.

We were know heading in the right direction for home well for the coffee shop. On the final climb Julie said that she and Kev would make ther own way back in so as to allow us to get to the coffeee shop back in the village before the doors closed, a cracking good idea cos this little shop sells the best cakes in the world so we sampled chocolate, coffee, lemon, fruit scones with lashings of jam. This little jem was even licensed so a cold beer was the order of the day for some. A magnificent day out with no mechanicals or punctures great navigational skills from Terry and Dave and tremendous dismount techniques from Kev.

This area requires more visits!!!!! Cheers Willie.

THE MUDDY BUMS  (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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