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

Sunday 23.1.11 – Rothbury Round, in reverse

So 13 muddy bums set off from Rothbury with Izzy taking the lead, except when she was taking up the rear (fnar, fnar, Graham!). Ian A managed to come up with a double – well, in name only. Welcome new Ian A! Also nice to see Dave and Graham out after various injuries kept them indoors for a bit.

We climbed quickly out of Rothbury (no other way) and then up through the woods, most of us pushing a bit on the way as we tried out the bridleway, instead of sneaking up the footpath over the field, Izzy having been eyballed by the landowner that last time she did this. Before long we were whizzing along the carriage way taking in the brilliant views around us and passing Arthur’s missus and friend who were out for a walk. All dry and happy as we whizzed along the road to Snitter, then over to Low Trewhitt and onto Burradon, turning off sharpish along a muddy track and down to the ford. Proper clarty mud then as we forged our way , energy draining out of our legs with every pedal stroke , to just below shaperton Edge where we stopped for a bite to eat.

Another slippy climb up a muddy track to Shaperton Edge and along through the plantation. Most of us did a little detour contouring Farnham Bank, descending steeply towards the river, and through a watery hole, which we managed to navigate more or less succesfully, Izzy managing to lose her footing and then her back wheel in the process. As we regrouped and climbed back up again, old Ian A and Julie looked on smugly from the top.

Continuing along the road a bit, we managed to lose some of our number as we dog-legged it through a farm at High Farnham ( ?) Some of us were blissfully unaware this had happened but luckily, our little lost lambs rejoined the flock quickly and we pressed on down to Hepple. Heading west again, it wasn’t long before we were crossing the river again and heading along to Bickerton then down through the nature reserve. Sadly, there were no twitchers to make comments this time.

Dave peeled off early, to catch a lift home. From then on it was a bit of a blur as some of our legs started to feel the pain from our fast lap round. Luckily, we just had to run along just above the river on road and track towards Rothbury, though all were a bit dismayed at the demise of the lovely singletrack through the gorse – now an immaculate tarmac track into Rothbury. Even though it was a tame track, the bushes managed to catch some of our crew out and there was a bit of a pile up , with handbags flying as they argued about who the culprit was – eyes ahead lads!

With all safely back to the carpark we convened to the posh café for sustenance. Lucky with the weather – a couple of brief showers only. Lots of mud again but that’s winter riding for you. Thanks all for a good day out.

Izzy x