Christmas Ride

Venue for this year's Christmas Ride, the first as an official SOC Section, was the C.B. Inn in Arkengarthdale. Up until the night before I was expecting a record turnout but unfortunately I received a phone call to say Barbara and James could only make it to the meal as James was coming down with a tickly cough. The programme for the day was meet at the C.B. for a thirteen mile ride starting at 10.30am. With our meal being served at 3.30pm, this gave us plenty of time assuming we had no mishaps!

Our first mishap was Liz had arrived with a flat tyre. Peter very kindly replaced the tube with Liz's spare one. Our second mishap was Liz's spare tube was also punctured. I very kindly replaced the second tube with my spare one. The first part of the ride involved cycling the steady climb along the Barnard Castle road. With this in mind people set off as and when they were ready while Liz's bike was made road worthy.

Luckily I managed to catch everybody up just as the leaders were approaching the point where we were to turn off the road onto the bridleway / Land Rover track that climbs up the side of Peat Moor Hill. After a re-group and short break we set off up our second climb. With fifteen mountain bikers of varying abilities present, I was pleased to see everyone coped well with the climbs and therefore confident of us finishing on time, as long as we didn't have anymore mishaps!

We now faced one of my favourite mountain biking tracks, the Moresdale Road down to Schoolmaster Pasture. After seeing everyone safely through the gravely bends through the old mine workings, I then came across Peter stood at the side of the track holding a broken chain, "flippin heck" I thought to myself. Ah well it doesn't take long to fix a broken chain (normally). Unfortunately Peter never does things by halves. His chain required major surgery with mangled links having to be replaced. We eventually caught the others up at the cross-roads close to "Slack Wife Gill" (consult your O.S. map if you don't believe me). We now faced the glorious two mile descent to Schoolmaster Pasture. From here we headed down to Washfold and on to Hurst.

On arrival at Hurst, fourteen cyclists managed to cycle through a gate without noticing a Christmas present had been left against the gate post. Luckily I'm very observant and went over to investigate. The gift tag announced it was a present to us all from Santa (and Rudolf). With no children on the ride, it was felt that Peter should be the one to open it. Inside was a Yuletide Chocolate Log already sliced, what a kind and thoughtful chap Santa is. A stop to eat cake would put us even further behind schedule but no one cared.

From Hurst we climbed up onto Fremington Edge. Alastair and Liz had already set off, before the discovery of Santa's present I hasten to add. We of course saved them a piece each, Nicky carrying them in a plastic bag hanging from her handlebars.

By the time Nicky arrived at the top the spokes in her front wheel had provided us with more slices of cake!

Kev had entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in cape, motorcycle helmet and goggles. He thought, as the top of Fremington Edge has to be a good place for thermals (as in rising air NOT winter underwear) now was the time to put his outfit to the test. With the film ET in mind, Key set off at a cracking pace, his cape unfurled, he and his bike began to rise, had he judged the thermals correctly? No, Kev came crashing back down to earth his front wheel dropping into a ditch. Unfortunately, the only flying Kev managed was a brief sortie over the handlebars.

I'm not sure what "Christmas Spirit" Santa had added to that cake but before descending off Fremington Edge. Len decided it was his turn to try some trick cycling. Having been watching a BMX competition on one of those Extreme Sports programmes the night before, Len decided he would attempt a "three sixty forward loop", unfortunately he only managed a "one eighty"!

Everyone (I think) enjoyed the tricky descent down to Storthwaite Hall Farm. Rosie was enjoying herself so much she didn't want to stop at the bottom. She was suddenly faced with the decision to either collide with the parked car or swerve and head for the waiting group of mountain bikers. Rosie aimed her bike at mine then pressed the eject button, landing perfectly safely on two feet. Her bike continued on it's course stopping within inches of mine whereby it began to topple over somehow managing to gently lean itself against the nearby wall, spooky.

After cycling through the ford to cross Slei Gill, we headed along the north bank of Arkle Beck to Langthwaite. Not surprisingly we were now running (sorry cycling) a little late. So from here everyone headed back to the C.B. as fast as humanly possible, quickly got changed and sneaked into the C.B.

Feeling guilty about not being on the ride, Barbara took our orders as we all chatted about every hill, rock and patch of mud between Langthwaite and Hurst. The meal was so good we decided we ought to sample the Sweet Menu. This time it was Judith's turn to go round taking orders, waitresses have an easy life when we eat out.

Thanks very much to everyone for attending and playing their part in making it such an enjoyable day out, special thanks to Nicky, Paul and of course Kev for turning up suitably decorated for the occasion. To those who didn't attend and are now having regrets after reading this, "I told you so".

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Christmas Ride

Dave Neesam