Clay Bank Ride

There was a good turnout for Geoff Wall's latest ride, a total of eight congregated at the top of Clay Bank. Barbara and James had made the journey from Up North. Nigel was there with his new seat post (and the rest of his bike of course). Geoff Kensett had scrounged a bike for his second ride with us. First timer with the S.O.C. was Norman who had seen my couple of paragraphs in the Darlington & Stockton (it pays to advertise). Geoff was obviously taking his responsibilities as ride leader seriously as he arrived early. Late but not least was Peter Astle.

We had only been riding for a few yards when we were faced with a steep climb up stone steps onto the Cleveland Way, these were declared un-rideable. As we pushed our bikes up the steps I thought it's going to be a bit dangerous riding down these when it comes to the end of the ride, pity I've got the memory span of a goldfish (all will be revealed).

Whilst riding towards Bloworth Crossing, Norman successfully negotiated a particularly tricky drainage gully but unfortunately sustained a puncture in the process, he has obviously had punctures before as he changed the tube in record time.

At the crossing we headed southish along Rudland Rigg as far as Fox Hole Crags where we headed west to descend into Bransdale. We headed along the road around the head of Bransdale before taking the bridleway across Slape Wath Moor. I think we stopped for our sandwiches along here somewhere but I could be wrong, if you're interested you could give Geoff a ring, he'll know.

On reaching Tripsdale Beck, we headed north towards Urra Moor. At this point we became a little confused, we were riding along a ridge but it was decided we should in fact be on a track we could see a hundred feet below us. We all spread out to try and find the best route down. No clear path was found so we all made our own way cycling over the ridge to sweep down the hillside like an Apache attack on an unsuspecting wagon train, except we were on mountain bikes not horses and instead of tomahawks we had to make do with cycle pumps.

We eventually reached Urra Moor where the going got tough. My front wheel suddenly dropped into a hole throwing me over the handlebars. I was lucky on two counts, firstly only Pete and Norman witnessed the incident and secondly the peaty moorland provided a soft landing. Now if I'd been riding down those stone steps things could have been much worse. I managed to get back on my bike before the others arrived. We made our way round to Carr Ridge for our final descent down the stone steps to the car park.

As we started the descent I failed to lift my front wheel over a drainage trough and ended up flying over the handlebars, again. I was unlucky on two counts, firstly everybody witnessed the incident and secondly the stone steps provided a very hard landing, ouch! Back at the car park, Geoff had thoughtfully arranged for a snack van to be waiting, I had a white chocolate Magnum.

The many members who have told me how even more interesting my articles have become since the addition of statistical information from my distance computer, will be interested to know that the distance (17.3 miles) and average speed (6.6 mph) for this ride were identical to Gary's Kildale ride and the max. speed was only 1 mph slower at 28 mph!

Thanks to Geoff for leading a very good ride, I must get some "bunny hopping" practice in before his next ride.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Clay Bank Ride

Dave Neesam