Bleaklow and 'Over Exposed'

Bleaklow and 'Over Exposed'

Back in July I finally got round to doing Higher Shelf Stones.  This is a trip I have been meaning to make for some time, but somehow it has never happened.  I am behind with a few things so this report has also been a long time in the making.

There was a light mist on the Sunday morning when friend Chris and I set out for Higher shelf stones.  The mist grew thicker as we ascended.

Photos: Above - Chris Lewis, all others - el

Navigation was no real problem though off the main paths at times.  This was partly due to the wonders of phone GPS in conjunction with the excellent OsmAnd.  Now that the superb OpenTopo render is available, there seems little else one could want in such an application.  We had occasion to demonstrate the benefits of this (off line) system to a group who had had to get their paper map out when they lost their data connection and Google Maps stopped helping.

I have to say though, I still much prefer paper maps (well, maybe a very large monitor) for planning and, in conjunction with a thumb compass, when moving fast.

Over Exposed was a photo reconnaissance aircraft first in service just before the end of WWII, in 1946 it took photographs of the Bikini Atoll nuclear bomb tests, the craft also took part in the Berlin airlift.  The fateful last flight was on November the 3rd 1948.

I'll leave the images, and map, to do most of  the talking this time.  I will say that the wreck site had a quiet timeless dignity as befitted it, the mist only added to that.  The wreaths had been laid recently (13th July) by Boeing UK.

We enjoyed a pint at the Queen's Arms before returning to our start point.  As so often happens, the mist lifted completely as soon as we got down!

Chrome and Parkhouse Hills revisited

Chrome and Parkhouse hills

I recently had the opportunity to revisit Chrome and Parkhouse hills.  This time I had the benefits of company, a printed map and OsmAnd on my phone.  The route I planned was slightly different to the one I intended last time, I also reversed the direction.  This made a good circular route of 6.24 miles with 1348' of ascent (216' per mile).

The route was started from Earl Sterndale again, there are also a few parking spaces in Hollinsclough.  I took the path that initially heads north west between buildings by the Quiet Woman, this time.  I was very glad of OsmAnd later, due to a bogus path (much clearer on the ground than the proper path) on  the route out of Hollinsclough.  It can be seen clearly on the satellite view on the map below (not yet on OSM, I will add it soon).  Only a few degrees away from the virtually invisible proper path, it is easy to follow for some way before noticing you are too far up the valley side. OsmAnd with a GPS position showed the error clearly.

 Narrow stone bridge over the River Dove.  A particularly pleasant oasis of green in these parched times.

The correct path leads down to the Dove, which is crossed on a gorgeous, narrow, little stone bridge.  A track, probably a drove road leads past Leycote to Booth Farm.  This track must have been important at some time, some considerable trouble to pave the surface with stone blocks had been taken.  I should imagine the paved parts could be slippery when wet.  A road is joined then soon left for the public footpath towards Stoop Farm.  This footpath is followed until it ends at a road, the concessionary path over Chrome and Parkhouse hills begins at this junction.

Parkhouse Hill from Chrome Hill, looking a little parched compared to when I was here last year.



This is a cracking route with a reasonable amount of ascent. The path out of Hollinsclough was boggy in places, even in the current drought, so I guess it can get pretty yucky. The drove road is quite magical, one can feel the history somehow. Going round clockwise leaves the main attractions until last, and they do not disappoint. 

 

Update

I had the pleasure of showing these hills to another friend, back in 2019. I took the opportunity to use the initial part of the route out that I had used when I ran here the first time. From the descent of Parkhouse, I followed the path I had used to start last time.  The route is shown below, it is now my preferred route, though will not suit those who wish to get 'stuck straight in'.  Personally, I'm happy to cover several extra miles for the pleasure of experiencing terrain with character.  In this case, the deviation adds only half a mile.

Green Green Grass Of Home fell race (AS)

Green Green Grass Of Home, 5 miles, 1499' ascent AS

This WFRA race fell on my birthday this year. I enjoyed the race, my first as a V60, so much last year, that I was determined to do it again despite the travelling required.

It's about an hour and a half drive from my home to Llangynhafal.  I left before half past four so I would have plenty of time before the half seven start.  I had not reckoned with the 'Nantwich Show', this blocked roads to the north and south of that town.  I spent a long time, in a sun baked, stationary car, made even hotter by the necessity of putting the heaters on to stop the engine overheating.  I finally made it just before seven.  I was registered by ten past, I ran back to the car, changed and set off on the walk, about one kilometre, to the start.  This left no time for the meal I had planned, only a quick swig of squash, I took a 500 ml bottle with me.

Massing for the start, there were eighty nine starters on this very warm summer's evening.

I had hoped to pre write a cheery text and send it from the race's highest point, as a surprise to a friend.  There was only a minute or two before the briefing so my text said little more than 'Hi from race highpoint'.  The briefing warned that there was no water on the course, however, marshals carried an emergency 500 ml each.  I was surprised how few people took water given the heat.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I am a very poor performer in the heat and added to this I still felt groggy from the awful journey.  I had resigned myself to the fact that I was unlikely to do as well as last year even without these circumstances.  All the same, one's mind always seems to clear when the off is called.  Focus shifts to the route, feet seem to follow, and so it was on this occasion.  Once on the route, I just ran as best I could and thought little about anything else.

 Looking north west (ahead (and almost directly into the sun)) from a welcome break in the ascent , what a skyline.

I had remembered the narrow paths from last year and so took any opportunity to pass on principle.  I expended more energy than was comfortable with this strategy, but it worked well enough.  I ran steadily up hill looking forward to the almost contouring 'break' with wonderful views (above).  After a short descent it was uphill again and soon we were at the highest point.

I had heard my phone chirp on the way up, I couldn't really read the message on the hoof (I can barely see the phone with my ordinary specs. anyway).  I did manage to find the envelope icon and send my message, as intended.  A heroic act if I do say so myself.  I put the phone away and got my camera out.  I find my little compact easier to use than my phone when I am running, though the phone camera quality is good.

Looking south east (ahead), on the second half/way back. 

After the high point the ascents and descents are comparatively gentle until the long final descent.  The clear skies meant that one could see far into the distance.  I had little idea which direction I was heading in while on the course, this has never diminished my enjoyment of a view yet.  Some of the directions recorded in the camera data were quite surprising to me.

This undulating section is mostly on good tracks and is easy running, nonetheless I managed to trip somehow.  I landed well and sustained no injuries.  All the same I felt almost as if I had been winded, though the fall had not actually knocked the breath out of me.  I think it was just that I was going hard and that breathing and motion were in a rather fine balance.  It was a good half mile before the feeling of inability to breathe properly passed.

Looking north east, (left shoulder) on the second half/way back.  Orientation is according to my camera data.  I am inclined to believe the data, as the Nikon AW110 camera compass is the best electronic compass I have by a very large margin (bike GPS and phone manufacturers'  take note).

Soon we were on the long, wild descent through heather and bilberry.  The path can hardly be seen, and I left it to overtake at times anyway,  The difficulty of staying upright precluded photographs.  As we hit the track where the descent continues I lengthened my stride and overtook another runner (Update: Mandy Peffers, F40).  She shouted hearty encouragement to me, which, in the moment, really made me up.  She caught me again on the following short ascent though.  I chased hard as we crested the rise and turned downhill for the finish, but couldn't catch her.  I could also hear the breath and footfall of one of the runners I had gone past in the heather.  I had swapped places with this lady (Update: Christine Cammillare, F) a good few times in the race, I managed to stay ahead (Update:  by one second) into the tunnel.  Someone to chase and someone on your heels always makes a race a lot of fun, even if you are as non competitive as I am.

A beautiful end to the evening, looking west from the campsite, and race parking, behind the pub,

By the time the prize giving was over the scorcher of a day had mellowed.  If ever an evening deserved the adjective 'sultry' it was this one.  It was still warm, but not unpleasantly so, and  the setting sun on one side and an almost full moon on the other lit the sky beautifully.  I drove home in the atmospheric light, a warm breeze from an open window on my face and Chet Baker on 'Concierto de Aranjuez'* in my ears.  Excellent.

 Here's something you don't see everyday.  A prize won by me!  There was a generous quantity  of prizes at this race. Prizes for first, second and third place extended to all categories.  I took the third place for the MV60s. (I was second of five last year).  I think I was a couple of minutes quicker than last year (Update: 01:47 to be precise) and was several places higher overall so I am very pleased with my performance.  I am pretty sure I made most of the time up during the energy sapping passing I did on the ascents.  Despite being overheated and under nourished, I did seem to have more energy towards the end.  I may have been faster on the final, track part of the descent.  I certainly gave my toes a battering on this part of the course, they are still complaining three days later.

Thanks to all concerned with this very enjoyable race.  Update: Full results have now been posted on the WFRA site, spreadsheet HERE.

*And other tracks from Chet's 'Cool'. The same recording also appears in the discography of other musicians involved.  E.g. Jim Hall's 'Concierto'.

Cycle Camping - Carrog, Llangollen Valley and Heritage Railways

While I carried my camping gear "just in case", on a 110 mile tour of the Peak District last year, I managed in the day without trouble and did not need it.  I had not, until the present trip, done any cycle camping.  As I have run with camping gear in the past, the prospect of cycle camping was not that overwhelming.  Nonetheless, I still felt some trepidation as it was a while since I had made a lightweight expedition, and this one would have to be particularly light.

My Topeak DXP 'Trunk Bag' is quoted as 22.6 litres capacity, that doesn't sound a lot smaller than the 25 litres of my OMM rucsack, but 2.4 litres represents a lot of food (or a bloomin' big water bottle).  As I would be nearer civilisation when cycling than running, the obvious solution was to forego all but a minimum of food and shop as necessary.  I also bought a small top tube bag, that holds a phone, with tiny 'panniers'.  The panniers are useful for such items as; first aid kit, wallet, hand gel, charger, flapjack etc.  The gear and packing all worked nicely and I will create a page to share details in the near future.

The bridge over the Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee) with the Grouse Inn behind, from Carrog.

Cycling to Carrog

The ride to Carrog (route here ed: and now embedded below) was a real pleasure in the Sunday sunshine.  I stopped to eat and drink every twenty miles or so, shopping to fill the empty sandwich space on the penultimate stop.  Lugging the panniers round the Cefn Mawr Tesco was no joke!  The trip, including stopping and shopping, took under five and a half hours, or about four hours and forty minutes of cycling.  This was much quicker than the six hours of cycling I had anticipated.

I had picked Carrog as a destination due to its pleasant situation, do-able distance and suitable campsite (the Station Campsite turned out to be very hospitable indeed, of which more later).  There was plenty to see on the way down, if I ride down again I will schedule more sight seeing stops.  As it was I stopped only to eat, taking in the countryside, beautiful villages and sights like the Horseshoe Falls as I cycled by.  The cycle route along the Llangollen canal was pretty, but fairly busy on a warm Sunday, this must have added quarter of an hour to the journey time.

 

Chez Moi au Carrog for a few days.

Carrog Station Campsite

I can't say enough about Carrog Station Campsite.  It was well run by friendly people, cheap, catered for solo back/cycle campers, is beautifully situated and has free showers!  The site is in a field bounded on one long side by trees and a hedge, beyond which is the Afon Dyfrdwy, and the opposite side by the charming station building, sidings and line of Carrog station on the Llangollen heritage line.  The eight pounds per night is very reasonable, though I was actually charged considerably less than that in the event.  I must have merited a low profile, non weekend camper discount or something.  I set up quickly and went to explore the surroundings.  I was just in time to catch some gorgeous fifties diesel railcars, at the station, that were on for the Sunday only.  Carrog is a tiny place and I had guessed that there were probably no shops*, the good news is that there is a pub.

*There are shops in Corwen which is only 2.8 miles away (2.5 by the main road).

 

Gorgeous fifties diesel rail car on the last run of the day.

The charming station at Carrog, station building from the road bridge.

The charming station at Carrog, waiting room on secondary platform, looking towards Corwen.

The Grouse Inn

 The Grouse sits on the north bank of the river.  There is food at reasonable prices, I couldn't see much suitable for vegetarians, but I didn't ask, they may 'mix and match'.  Pub grub on a daily basis is way beyond my budget, for what I intend to be a way of life, even when at reasonable prices.  I am fond of pale beers with plenty of bite and so I settled on the Manchester Pale Ale.  It is not a 'memorable' beer, but is entirely satisfactory.

I found the Grouse Inn to be a friendly place.  On the Sunday night I got chatting to a lovely local couple.  We found plenty in common, from the outdoors to jazz, and soul singers.  We ended up talking the evening away, from Peggy Lee to surfing.  It was a real joy to meet people who enjoyed activities as I do, for the pleasure of living completely in the moment, and oneness with movement and one's environment, and not for the extremity of the circumstances.

Steam Train to Llangollen

I had anticipated walking over Llantsilio mountain and descending to join the railway, then riding to Llangollen to do a bit of shopping/ambience absorption.  The rail time table meant that I would have to complete a 9.5 - 11.5 mile walk very quickly if I was to get back to Carrog after the shopping.  The idea of doing anything quickly, in the very warm weather, was not even to be considered.  This especially as my 'cycling light' meant that I had only a bum bag to carry water and sustenance†.

Consequently, I decided to just enjoy the sights on offer in a lazy, touristy way.  I arrived at Carrog station early and just chilled on the platform and enjoyed watching the train go through on its way to Corwen.  The ride to Llangollen is outstandingly pretty, I changed sides in the carriage several times to make the very best of it.

Carrying the shopping wasn't too big a problem, I ate most of it on a pleasant riverside seat!  The rest I put in a carrier bag (I always carry one or two as they take up so little space) to take back.  The problem with shopping a day or meal at a time is getting fruit and veg in suitable quantities.  The NISA store had a coleslaw and a chick pea salad available, these and a banana were a reasonable compromise.  Not quite up to my usual ten a day habit though.

†This is a problem I need to address for the future.  Something like the old Berghaus Blitz might be useful.

Carrog station, Steam back on for Monday.  This is my train, though it is on its way to Corwen here.  The  loco' will change ends when it comes back on the way to Llangollen.

Llangollen, looking east.

Llangollen looking west.

An evening walk, or two

Though I had walked a few miles round Llangollen, as the evening was still young when I got back to Carrog, I set off on the 'Quarry Path' from Llidiart y Parc after a beer (a 'one for the road' gift from the couple I had met the previous evening, the route was also a recommendation from them).  The path was, as I had been told, very worthwhile, the view of the village and the hills beyond unfolded beautifully.  The greenness of the valleys and the hills is quite breathtaking.

Llantsilio Mountain from the quarry path low on Moel Fferna. 

After my evening  meal, it was still a little early for the pub so I set off up the steep path from the Grouse that rejoins the Bryneglwys road.  I walked to the top of the ridge to take in the views to the north, then retraced my steps back to the Grouse.

The ride home

The ride home was pleasant, the canal towpath was a little less busy on a weekday and the weather was a little cooler.  The ride did not have the same thrill of anticipation that the ride down had.  To add some interest, I stopped along the way to take in Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  I have seen pictures and films many times, but was still shocked by the sheer audacity of the structure when I saw it for real.  A visit is strongly recommended.

The incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

A little later, I was pedalling up an extremely steep hill when my phone rang.  After a false start and a lost signal, I answered and the conversation ran a little like this:

"Hello, el"?
"Speaking".
"This is work and we're making you redundant".
"I see, well thanks for letting me know, I'll see you tomorrow"!

Looks like I'll be doing more touring than I thought.
 

Apart from that... as they say, the experience proved remarkably accessible and I am sure I will do it again.  Maybe I will travel on after a stop in Carrog next time.  Maybe I will do that Llantsilio walk.
Ed: I am now a supporter of Mapometer. Supporter status allows me to embed maps in my blog. The trip described above is mapped below. I will endeavour to update some of my old routes with maps when I can.

Rainow 5 BS, 5 miles, 751' - 2018

The Rainow 5 is an automatic inclusion in my calendar.  It's a fair drive for me, and means a late night followed by a five thirty a.m. start.  The traffic on the drive in had me wondering whether it was worth the effort.  My memory reminded me that this thought was not new and that in a couple of hours I would be scampering along Kerridge with a big smile on my face, shouting "fantastic" to myself.

My knees have been hurting quite a lot lately and on Tuesday I woke with that feeling that a cold was coming.  The symptoms were still very mild on Wednesday and the knees weren't too bad so I packed my stuff ready for after work.  The drive from Northwich to Bollington was painfully slow, my Garmin asked (with synthetic lack of irony) whether I wanted to switch to pedestrian mode!  By the time I reached Bollington the rain showers had diminished to intermittent light drizzle, and I cheered up with the prospect of sandwiches and a pleasant walk in.

Runners to vanishing point, a good turn out again.

The walk to Rainow was as delightful as ever, the lambs gambolling was a particular feature this year.  Several of the squeeze stiles had pieces of fence across them, presumably the tiny larrys were getting through without much trouble.  The rain held off, but many lurked in Rainow institute just in case.  One hundred and seventy seven runners squeezed into Smithy Lane.  It was hard to move through the pack on the tarmacked road and not much easier on the descending track, Oakenbank Lane, at first.  I must have managed OK as I arrived to a much shorter queue at the first stile than in previous years.

The steep ascent up to White Nancy, Bollington in the background (left).

We made our way through the fields to where the outward route crossed my walk in path on the outskirts of Bollington.  The surface was extremely good, firm and springy, just about everywhere.  I concentrated on running 'solidly', I wanted to make a reasonable go of the race without putting my knees in jeopardy.  We crossed the valley bottom and then started the steep ascent straight up the side of Kerridge, to White Nancy.  I maintained a reasonable 'trot' until near the top.  I had decided I would get a shot looking down at the runners here this year.  The colours of a couple of runners ahead were particularly appealing, so I got a move on and overtook them gaining enough distance to include them in my shot (above).

The enchanting run along Kerridge, and a surface like a well kept rural green.

I had already started muttering 'fantastic' crossing fields on the the descent from Rainow.  Here on Kerridge my face practically ached with involuntary smiles and I whooped out my appreciative war cry repeatedly as the occasion demanded.

Near the end of the ridge a gentleman passed me.  He remarked to me that there was little point in his passing as I would only pull away again on the upcoming descent.  How familiar that sentiment sounded, and how unfamiliar to be the person hearing rather than voicing it!  I mentioned this to the runner as he passed, and how it was only in very recent times that I had acquired any skill in this respect.  It would have been nice to continue to chat to my fellow runner, but as the path now began to descend and I didn't want to contradict him, I overtook and pulled away.

I kept my pace up as the route levelled and thought that I had opened a gap of more than ten seconds.  However, just after emerging from the next kissing gate I heard a clang as someone else came through.  I would have paused to stop the gate latching if I had realised someone was that close, and did so at the next gate.  By now the pursuer was right on my tail, but it was a female runner, not the gentleman I had passed earlier, she soon passed me in turn.  Shortly I opened a good lead on the chasing pack though I was still a good few seconds behind the one in front so ran on my own for a while.  I tried to close in on the pack ahead as we climbed back up to Rainow.  I overtook one runner who fell back, but never caught the group.  I finished, found a welcome cup of water, then looked for those I had met during the race.

Twilight and the flagged path back to Bollington.

Back at the Rainow Institute I filled up with cake (the lemon drizzle was gorgeous), a cheese and tomato roll, and enjoyed one of the excellent espressos on offer.  I wasn't sure of my time, it turns out I pipped last years by around half a minute so I am happy with that.  Full results are on the Macc' Harriers site HERE.   The walk back in the twilight was a real pleasure, one I shared for a short while with a charming young woman and her dog, that I met along the way.


I had planned to retire from working at the start of this month.  I want more time to myself to spend outdoors with what is left of my mobility.  My employers persuaded me to cut my hours instead.  This works fairly well for both of us, I have two more days to ride, walk and run, they get a 'handover' period.  I also avoid the shock of suddenly having no income at all.

A walk in the woods, a carpet of bluebells in Parrot's Drumble near Talke in North Staffordshire.

I've done little with my first few days off, apart for some short walks and casual bike rides, as knee pain meant rest if I was to be fit for the Rainow 5.   I'm looking forward to a nice long ride this week though.  I'm planning a leisurely ride up NCR 55 to have a look round Bollington in the daytime.  I anticipate a lot of cycle touring in the near future.

Mow Cop Hill Race 2018, 6.5 miles, BM, and a ride to Wincle Brewery

Time for my first event of the year which,  for yet another year, was Mow Cop Hill Race.  It was the race's ninth year and my ninth time running it.  A week earlier I rode over to Wincle  Brewery.  Though the weather was less than sparkling for the Bank Holiday, the Sunday wasn't too bad and I took the opportunity for a pleasure ride.

Mow Cop Hill Race
Now that arthritis has dramatically reduced the amount of running I can do, the significance of missing one or two runs is much greater.  For one reason or another I had only managed to run twice since February and not for a fortnight before the event.  Cycling for at least 14 hours a week keeps me generally fit, all the same I am always nervous when I am not specifically fit.  Still, there was no way I was going to miss Mow Cop Hill Race this year and blot my perfect attendance record.

Warming up on the steep bank leading out from Mow Cop Village Hall car park.

The usual car park was a mire, but an adjacent area and the Mow Cop Village Hall car park were skilfully marshalled and all went smoothly.  Though the sun didn't shine for us this year, it was warm enough for shorts and singlet and there was no threat of rain.

Gathering for the start were one hundred runners.  Geoff started off the briefing before joining us for the first time.

One hundred runners mustered for the start.  Geoff Petengell, one of those responsible for the race, was joining us for the first time.  He delivered the briefing then 'changed sides', leaving someone else to call the off.  The reason for his participation as a runner this year was revealed later.

I made a fast start, the gradients match my running strengths and it is worth getting to the first stile as early as possible.  Even the path by the playing fields above the village hall had big patches of deep mud.  I sustained my speed up the fields on the way to the quarry.  Unusually, the rocks on the climb out of the sandy quarry had mud on them and there were a few slipping feet.  We ran past the folly and on to the Old Man of Mow, taking the longer path past this year.  At this point I became conscious of the fact that I was still going quite hard.  Uncharacteristically, I continued at the same level of effort.

Now quite why I decided to continue running hard is a bit of a mystery to me.  Real effort has always seemed a little vulgar and undignified for me (heroic in others though).  I did make an effort once before, in my one and only road race, where I managed a half marathon in under 1:36.  Let's face it though, in a road race there's bugger all else to do.

Heading up through the quarry, quite slippery this year as the rock had become coated with the ubiquitous mud.

There was a lot of mud everywhere, I had chosen to wear shoes with a very aggressive tread, my More Mile Cheviots, they worked well especially downhill in the mud and tree roots in the wooded area by the side of Mow Lane.  I am growing fond of these shoes, which I only bought as something cheap for kicking around and riding the bike in.

The boggy bit after joining and leaving the road at Roe Park was an especial joy this year, reminding many of the filthy run up to the Roaches on the Roaches Fell Race.  No souls (or shoes) were lost as far as I know.  I fair zipped along here, the right pace can help one sort of skim along on the coarse cane grass.  Making 'tactical' micro routing decisions is counter productive in my opinion, one just slows down and starts sinking.

Out of the bog it is all downhill again.  Just after the lovely section following the stream, I felt some pain in my hamstrings.  This was a novelty, it's about the only place I haven't had a pain before. The pain didn't get any worse with effort so I kept going.  Keeping it going is not hard on this section, all the same, a few 'challengers' spurred me on.  I found my road legs here on the lanes, a huge stride is very efficient down hill (not sure of the effect on joints though).  This allowed me to pull away from my challengers, while actually reducing my breathing rate and intensity.  A psychological and physical riposte ;-).

It was soon time to begin ascending again and long strides were left behind for a sort of shambling run, run/walk walk etc.  Under a tree, opposite the house in the field before the woods, sat a gentleman with a lovely grey Staffie sat at attention on his knee.  The attentive expression on the animal's face was a picture, one could imagine dog and owner sharing critical observations on our performance.  As I had decided to keep the pressure on, I did not stop for a photo.  Anyway it would have seemed a little presumptuous to stop and point a camera at a spectator.

I picked it up as soon as I emerged from the woods, fending off a few more challenges, though I was feeling it by now and was passed once in the last fields before the village.  I was very cautious over the fences and hay bales as I really was very tired.  I kept it on to the end and it was quite a relief to cross the finish line, I was really ready for the water on offer in the village hall car park.

Tea and coffee and some amazing home made cakes.

I walked back to the car park looking for a puddle or stream to wash in before going into the village hall.  The only puddle I could find was very muddy and my efforts weren't worth much (the picture of my shoes below is from after attempting to wash them!  I scraped off as much mud as  I could and used my wet socks to remove a little more before changing into dry stuff.  Back in the hall I ate a considerable amount of the smashing cake on offer.

During the results and awards we found out Geoff's reason for running this year.  Apparently he has just turned 60 and was determined to win the V60 category, this he did despite trailing at second for five miles.  Congratulations Geoff and welcome to the sexagenarian club.

Did I mention that it was muddy?

It's good to be 'back in harness'.  All the effort I made got me back in three minutes under last years time, nearly half a minute a mile quicker.  This was heartening, at an age when not getting any worse means that one is getting better.  I definitely enjoy running at a modest pace more.  Speed does matter to me, it's just that my goals are 'speed at a comfortable level of effort' based, rather than what I can do when the hounds of Annwn are behind me (except when the hounds of Annwn are behind me).  Fun perhaps once a decade or so though - I had quite forgotten what barely being able to walk down stairs the next day felt like.

Wincle Brewery

The outlook for pleasure rides wasn't sparkling for the Bank Holiday period.  Sunday's weather promised to be a little grey, but it wasn't expected to rain and would be warm enough for shorts and jersey, if you were brave.  I have run past Wincle Brewery, when on the Dane Valley Way section of my old 28 mile Saturday long slow run, many times.  I have sampled its products, post run in the Gradbach hostel often, but have never had the opportunity to stop in the rather charmingly situated brewery.

The excellent Molly, Wincle brewery's popular 'greeter'.

I planned different out and back routes using BRouter web and loaded the files onto my GPS.  I didn't check where the route went, as a mystery ride is a bit of fun and, as they say, it's all good.  The route mostly followed NCR 550 out of Stoke to the Hollybush then forked left on the 559 to Leek, passing the Leek Tunnel on the way.  I stopped near the tunnel for sandwiches.  There are steep steps where the path bypasses the tunnel, a narrow ramp alongside the steps sufficient to wheel a bicycle up, is a real boon.

I stayed on the 559 through Leek, on up past Tittesworth Reservoir to Meerbrook.  Surprisingly, I was now directed directly north instead of west round Gun Hill.   I should have paid more attention to the outward route as the software had used some footpaths¹.  I am fiercely against bicycles on footpaths, however by the time I realised what had happened, turning back and using a different route would have added a ten mile penalty.  In this case I had no choice, but to dismount and carry on.

While dismounting is technically permissible, it is still not really satisfactory and anyway, progress over what turned out to be very marshy ground and one very high and narrow stile was far from fun (the balance of the bike with rear panniers fitted made a shoulder carry a non starter).  Even without the weight of a rider the wheels sank more than rim deep and I had to wipe off as much mud as I could with handfuls of grass.

The old steed, and Molly off to greet the next customer.

Once back on the road I soon forgot my wet and muddy feet as I enjoyed the scenery on a long freewheel down to Danebridge.  I swooped into the brewery car park, propped up the bike and was promptly greeted by the excellent Molly.

A welcoming site.

I sat outside and enjoyed my beer and a chat with other drinkers.  Had it been finer I would have had more beer then walked/slept it off before starting back.  As it was I ended up hurrying my 'Wincle Waller' a little as the ambient temperature dropped.  I should have gone back into the shop where there was a nice wood burner, a mistake another cyclist, down from Macclesfield, hadn't made.

The ride back, which was pretty much the GPS default route for cyclists, was pleasantly uneventful.  I hit just shy of 40 m.p.h on the way down to Bosley!  I was surprisingly tired when I got home, the whole ride was little more than my daily commute (though a lot more than twice the ascent).  I will no doubt visit again, continuing with different out and back routes.  It should be easy to modify the outward route to take the Gunhill Road, Rudyard Road, Bearda Hill option. I don't want to think about how much ascent that will add.  Funny, I can't think of running without hills, the more ascent the better, cycling is another matter entirely.

¹  BRouter allows users to configure their own routing profiles so it is possible to write a profile to stop it doing this.  Unfortunately details on the scripting aren't that easy to find, I 'm on it and will share when I crack it.  BRouter is easily the best routing tool I've used, mainly by virtue of the underlying maps available.