Camels Toe?

Has Eric shave off more than just the usual or are those ladies cut Assos?
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Tales from the riverbank!

Saturday ride was a return to the Manifold Valley. Its a long day but well worth it. A record 17 riders turned out for the Saturday Sheffrec ride. Amongst the usaul suspects were a couple of newcomers. Ness Etches and a very big Marine whos name escapes me so will just call him Camouflage! Hope to see them again in the coming weeks.

The cafe stop was at Flagg, a brilliant and very large cafe with an upstairs large enough to accommodate any size group really. Great food and service.

After that it was off towards Manifold valley. Riding down through the valley for what seemed like ages. The more notable things on the ride are Swainsley Tunnel and Thors Cave which can be seen as you climb the hill.

We did have one puncture but I think it was just a reason to get off and have a rest! The next part of the ride makes up probably the funniest thing I've seem while riding with this lot. No idea what the place is called but the river there goes over the road. Its perfectly safe as there is a foot bridge. You always get one and we got three attempt the river crossing. Now it's pretty rocky and we are on road bikes with tyres not design for river crossings. Well done to Dave and Mark who made it across dry. Step up Ian Hull who wasn't so lucky! He later said it was the movement of the water that was the problem!!! from where I was stood it looked like he hit a rock, toppled over and sat with the water up to his waist laughing. You have to laugh really as the area is a busy picnic area so we were not alone! We didn't hear the familiar scream when he hit the water so new nothing was broken. He did manage to loose his computer in the water. The good thing about our lot is nobody took the piss and everyone was very supportive all the way home!!!!

We did stop at the Grouse on Froggatt Edge for lemonade (I cant ride past there now without stopping such is the quality of their lemonade!) I rolled home at 6pm with a big smile on my face.

I've done a little research and found a bike perfect for Ian's next river crossing.

                                                     Ian Hull - This weeks Saturday Hero

Saddleworth Moor

With weather this good we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride Saddleworth Moor. I've done this in windy conditions and its pretty cruel.
But today was perfect, sunny, warm and cloudless with no wind.
Bit of an altercation with a young motorist who insisted on using her horn behind us on the descent into Holmfirth. Pretty sure 30pmh is the speed limit in a built up area so why would she be wanting to go faster?
After breakfast I missed the right turn to Maston and Tim took a left which had him lost for 30mins but thanks to the boys in blue he found us again so off you went.
Amazing climb up the Moor and today we had a helicopter at the top lifting supplies onto the moor, reminded me of Apocalypse Now!
As we wasted time getting lost we didn't get a coffee on the return to Holmfirth, just pressed on home to the Nags to celebrate a great days riding.
We did encounter a motorist who took offence to us riding in the middle of the road to avoid the tram tracks, the veins in his neck were visible and I thought fat boy was going to have a heart attack at the wheel! He's obviously never been on the Sharpe end of a tram track, probably goes from the couch to the car to the cake shop!
Anyways it was an epic day and I laughed loads and came home with a smile on my face having had a top day with some great lads. Can't wait to do it all again next week.
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Derwent Dam

Took myself off for a late afternoon ride out to Derwent. I was going to ride for four hours but I was alone and I don't like myself enough to ride for four hours alone!!
Warm and sunny, first ride in shorts sleeves in England this year. If I had to moan it was a headwind on the climb out of Bradfield.

Its an over looked ride round the Dams but excellent as there is pretty close to zero traffic and the roads are good with brilliant scenery. All in all a great ride spoiled only by the company!

I worried a few sheep by the road side but not in a bad way!! I really dislike cattle grids but that's the countryside for you.

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Longnor

Probably my favourite ride this one.
Very over cast to start with but we had around 12 riders meet at the bus stop which is double what we normally get.
It was windy which meant the showers passed quickly, we only sheltered once at the cave on Millers Dale. Once we got onto the tops the sun came out. Cracking view as you descend into Longnor, you can see the hairpins on the climb that will come after the stop for fish n chips. Never been the same since Frankly Scarlets cafe closed but I still love Longnor.
The weather just got better on the return home.
For no reason I can think of half the group went up Froggatt Edge while the rest rode on for a nice pint in the Nags Head.
All in all a good day out. Unless you went up Froggatt and ended up paying a million pounds a pint in the Norfolk Arms!!!!

Great to see Henry out with the lads again. Not everyday you get to ride with a Rock n Roll Star, just the odd Saturday.


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