It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was five mates cocking around on mountain bikes setting the world to rights and rallying to the cry of “It’s ride-able!â€
So… this is going to be really difficult. Trying to put down in words the fantastic ride we all endured will not come close to the fantastic time we shared. But I’ll try….
In a rare example of both good time keeping and navigation Pete and I made our way to the start point in Headingley with no major upset. Picking up a straggling Donny Dave we pulled into the car park just as Amy and Martin rode in.
With the obligatory amount of faffing and ride delays out of the way we were all happy to be pedalling in the sunshine. Down the gorgeous tree lined smooth path through Hollies wood; Pete shouted if we were going right. Someone shouted in the affirmative and in a fine premonition he flew down a steep shortcut to our eventual destination. Hair-pinning back on ourselves we slammed down a fast technical section crashing over the rocks and roots. Amy grinned that there was loads more of this to come and on we rode.
We found our way to a steep descent that was heavily rooted, leading to a set of bridges. Arse over the rear tire I bounced down it following the rest while Dave minced on behind me. Onwards we went, playing around on various little steep descents and climbs like slightly disturbed muddy toddlers on knobbly wheels. Snaking in and around the woods we arrived at a large basin/crater with various steep entry points to the bottom. Stood around contemplating the best point of entry, staring down the barrel of a really step one, Pete’s recurring death wish remained unfulfilled as he sailed down what the rest had deemed madness. We all followed, though down saner routes playing for a while and climbing out for more fun to be had.
Not quite out of the woods yet (I know I can’t believe it, I actually wrote that with a straight face!) we had the final play of the first section. A long rooty, stepped steep descent, it required skill, concentration, balls and most importantly speed. As I lost all my speed about a third of the way down the rest was entertaining to say the least.
Making our way to the next section we moved on quickly and the next set of woods though technical and fun was a straight ride through rather than playing around. Through Adel and past the suicidal looking jumps we stopped by a gorgeous looking house while Dave fettled his front wheel. The first three or four miles to get here felt more like twelve and everyone but Pete was felling it already.
All fixed and ready, we passed through an absolutely beautiful churchyard pedalling our way across the old stone walkway I pointed my camera over my shoulder and took the following picture:
I don’t think that ended up that bad!
Over a grassy field ascent we got to the hotel and it was time for Pete to take over……