3rd January 2008 - Ings

4 of us turned up for a cold and snowy/icy ride around Mickle Moss, it was a relatively short ride, just to ease us into the new year. We set off up the lane and as soon as we started to go up hill we heard a cry from Chris M, mechanical trouble? well a puncture already, so a quick change and we continued up past St. Ann's farm and through the icy puddles, not frozen enough to ride on and so we got wet feet, keep left at the first junction and head on up to the right hand gate. Head through and keep going, the wet patch (i.e. large puddles) were semi-frozen and there is no real way round, but we tried and got more wet feet, George just ploughed on, he must have had those dry sock things for Christmas! We kept going up to the first river crossing and decided to turn right and head back, something to do with the start of a snow blizzard. Down the 2 rivers and you guessed it more wet stuff, down the rocky route, past Jamie's corner and along the bottom lane, then up the old technical section (now easy) and up the tarmac climb, turn left at the top and the 3 specialized boys were being lead by Mr. hardtail, through more puddles, past the farm and the final technical blast down the narrow rocky bridleway back to the lane, all in just over an hour. So plenty of time for a beer and a discussion on LED torches, mines brighter than yours and all that; then guess who turned up for a drink, JP graced our presence, looking for stimulation, only he had to do with us lot, next time he may even bring a bike! Hawkshead for the 10th January.