Throphill Ride - 14 June, 2009

Sunday saw muddybums gather a little closer to home,we were expecting a low count due to a lot of other comitments by the usual crowd.Gavin was to arrive first followed shortly by Dave the kettle was straight onto boil as we sat around and chewed the fat.

We got away from Throphill not much after ten.The clarty bridles of which the surrounding area is quite famous for were as dry and hard as you will ever get so that allowed us to reach the Nunriding road without even getting the bikes dirty.The bridle at the back of Nunriding hall was a reminder of whats to come later with the nettles being slightly on the warm side and the brambles being there just enough to remind you that they can hurt.

The track we follow has held up well to the last couple of days rain and the lack of horses out and about at the moment. From Whittonstone farm we followed the cropped fields to the first major river crossing of the day and if anyone dosen't know myself (willie) if i haven't got you climbing hills i will have you crossing rivers or on a very very good day we will do both .This river crossing at Longwitton is notorious for catching someone and this day was no different as to Dave's defiant attempt was thwarted as that black hole appeared and swallowed his front wheel and pivotted him over the bars, luckily Dave landed upright on both feet.Travelling up to Southwitton sees the bridle kept manicured by an old friend of Julie and Willie's keep up the good work Evan!!

After a quick chat we were off again still travelling west to Rothley where we admired the remains of the old castle from afar. Along past Fairnley saw the only mechanical of the day and that was a snapped spoke for Gavin quickly repaired and we were on our way. Next farm was Chesters through the farm yard and down the front field to a water splash that catches you out,this is where we eventually got Gavin's new shoes dirty.

Lunch was taken behind a wall sheltering from at this point a westerly breeze. Looking east you could see that somewhere this side of Morpeth was getting a drenching as we enjoyed the sunshine and the tranquility of Northumberland's hidden gems. The craick at lunch was about all the media advertising our special corner. We took time out soaking up even more atmosphere just south of The Fawns from here we started to head east and this is where the wind had turned through 180 degrees. Further on is where we encounted the severity of the nettles and brambles none of us got away lightly. The river crossing at the bottom of the punch bowl was cleared by us all as was the grassy climb to the final decsent of the day. The final climb proved to be as challenging as ever. Once back to Throphill Julie surprised us all with some tremendous home made cakes and Willie with his ginger biscuits.

Cheers for another great day out with good company. Willie

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

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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