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

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Spring sprung this morning with a loud BOINNNNGGG ! The day was bright, clear and mild - with double didgit temperatures the likes of which we haven't had for months. So whilst yesterday's rain was always going to make the going "soft" at least the weather would afford us great views.

And taking advantage of this beautiful spring day were 11 Muddybums. Ian S, Ian A, Willie, Julie, Tom, Steve, Arthur, Graham, Izzy, Derek & Mark.

After the first coffee of the day the pack set off for the Forest by the Colpitts road. At the top of the first long climb the pack stopped to stuff a couple of layers into back packs and the one's wearing shorts looked smuggly at the full length trouser wearers amongst us. The trail now snakes its way into Slaley Forest and onto a variety of tracks sporting surfaces of a widely varying nature. A bit of twisting singletrack, winding its way majestically through the trees on a sundappled surface was everyone's favourite for this leg of the journey.

Soon we arrived at the Pennypie track where we took the first snack of the day before launching onto the moor. Here the gradient (steady climb) and wind (freshening) had everyone working quite hard to reach the summit of the moors. But the views accross Derwent Resevoir and onto the sky line trail that we were heading for - kept spirits high. Even a bunch of motorcyclists intent on suffocating us with their 2 stroke fumes, soak us in their splashes and pebble dash us with their spinning back tyres - couldn't spoil the sense of privelege of being out on the moors on such a grand day.

The fast descent down past Pennypie, then onwards to Baybridge was enjoyed by all - but the thoughts of the relentless climb up to the Edmundbyers Bridle was starting to focus all minds. This climb keeps on coming in a series of ever steepening stretches. Hard work for all - but for Steve on his Singlespeed the challenge was even greater. "Slightly testing" he called it - bloody marvellous we all thought ! The top of this particular hill is called "Old Man's Grave" (I kid you not - look at the 1:25,000 map if you wish to verify this) but thankfully all the old men present passed by without wishing to linger. And the reward for toiling up the hill is a sweet 7km descent to Edmundbyers. The trail was carrying quite a lot of water - but even in these conditions it provides an exciting, varied and beautiful route that offers many challenges and delights.

In Edmundbyers we felt like we had deserved a coffee at the local "pub with no beer" before tackling Derwent Resevoir. The trail here is being "improved" which as a result made it much harder work than normal today. But the sunshine shimmering on the water made up for that. The climb up to Minsteracres was a tester and a few tied legs were starting to make their presence felt. But the sweeping ride down through Minsteracres was great - even if it is on a tarmac lane - as the beautiful gardens and spectacular avenues of trees are very special.

The route now briefly joins the A68 before heading back accross county on an ancient feeling bridleway to Healy. The woodlands hereabouts are quite magical and charmed us all as we wove a trail through them to the White Hemmels road. From here an even more ancient feeling bridle drops us down and over the Reaston Burn for the last sapping climb back up to Slaley. Arriving in the village a rather dark grey cloud appeared over head like a scene out of Independence Day. But it was too late to dampen our spirits following this beautiful, varied but testing Slaley Singletrack Circuit.

Thanks to all who took part. Mark