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

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Riders : Isobel, Suzanne, Kevin, Nico, Arthur, Gary, Andy, Tom. Gavin D, Stephen, Tony, Ken and Ian A
How Far : 30 miles
Time : Departed at 10.05am and returned to cars at 16.36pm = 6hrs 31 min
Route : • Ford crossing at Heather Leazes (No footbridge option as its being rebuilt)
• Riding the ploughed bridal near Bank House
• Sad news the gentleman of the road who we had met and chatted with on several occasions has passed away after falling through a floor and getting trapped over the winter
• Just North of Hazon we got well and truly copped by the local farmer as we chose to ignore the private property signs and ride the disused railway line. I could hear the distinctive tractor sound as it climbed the road and when he stopped to inform us that it was his land and we had no right to use it, after an apology on our behalf we said we would use an alternative route, once the back markers had gathered Gavin came to the rescue he had a bit of friendly banter with the farmer who eventually said we could use the line as long as we shut all gates
• It rained quite heavily between Newton on the Moor and Glantlees Ian A, Andy and Nico where at the back for the climb up the concrete road to the cup and ring stones, when a distant voice bellowed out from over the wall, a mother and daughter who stable their horses and ponies at a nearby farm asked if we would talk to their animals as they had been spooked by the leading pack dressed in fluorescent waterproofs and especially Izzys even brighter bike. We obliged and climbed the final hundred metres or so as a small group. Once we had reached the main party the horse which was understandably twitchy was introduced to the gathered mass of bodies and metalwork before we said our goodbyes and headed off down to Edlingham woods
• The route through the woods was littered with wind blown trees but was reasonably dry
• Gary had a fall whilst crossing a slippery rocky stream near the Devils Causeway , a bit of a couldn’t get clipped out incident and landed heavily on his shoulder, he just manned up and rode up the hill to lunch
• Edlingham Castle for lunch with the usual route up to the Broome Hill road, Suzanne broke a mech hanger in the cutting here but somebody had a spare and Tom fixed it with is eyes closed might has well of been as he’s blind as a bat, good job we had a matching bike to stand alongside the broken one so we could compare the hanger position, While the bike was being fettled Gary and Andy headed for home down Lemmington bank, once we reached the road a new cross moor route was taken to the Golf Ball with many riders attempting to find their own way, It was definitely entertaining if not somewhat challenging, a one to be avoided in the summer months when the Heather is higher
• In our haste to descend we left Tony at the top of the hill waiting for us to ascend, the route was described to him via mobile phone and we waited for his arrival
• Alnwick provided a chance for Nico to recharge his batteries or as they say in France batteries with a bag of crisps
• We joined the dismantled railway out of Alnwick through the trees before risking our lives crossing the busy A1 and once again rejoining the line on the other side (if ever their was a good place for a bridge)
• At Eden Hill we turned right instead of the usual left and followed the river Aln toward Hipsburn
• Down to the dunes to Bustin Links then the caravan park and back to the cars
I enjoyed hope you did too. (Apart from the farmer incedent,initially)
Cheers
Ian