1st. Another run around an increasingly muddy Guisborough Woods, taking Howard out to see of the new tracks we’ve been riding lately. Made our way up to Captain Cooks Monument, then the nice woodland track which pops out at Cockshaw Hill followed by a fire road and tarmac blast to the café at Kildale. Another resurfacing of the New Row track put paid to all attempts at no-dabs ascents and a wind-blasted Codhill Heights sorted the cyclists from the high-earners. A bit of the Guisborough Woods Black Route was a precursor to our new fave bit of track- the addition to The Chute, unfortunately today somewhat greasy which meant a flawed descent, I only avoided a potentially expensive bike/tree interface by throwing my body between the two, gaining a bruise or two and losing some skin in the process, much to the amusement of my companions.

3^rd. Less than 48 hours since our last ride we found ourselves regrouping on Reeth market square, wondering what time the usual Swaledale rain would commence so we could get on with the important business of the day - deciding on the post-ride café. A little road riding took us to Healaugh and the start of a bridleway which Howard “just wanted to have a look at…” This appeared to begin with a half a mile of vertical tarmac, Howard’s cursory glance at the map contours combined with his misunderstanding of process operators’ hill-climbing ability led to a few profane moments until things levelled out. After passing through the gorge of Cringley Bottom, we climbed to the summit of Great Pinseat. That brief sentence does nothing to convey the interminable granny-ring slog required to find ourselves at the summit before we lost the height again in the nicest way possible, down to Level House Bridge before climbing again onto Melbecks Moor above Gunnerside Gill. The plan was to gain the head of the gill before dropping into the gill and following it back to Jingle Pot Edge. The path proved to be somewhat difficult to follow, being mainly rocks, bog or pretty much non-existent, a path on the other side of the gill appeared more promising until we found ourselves high above the gill looking down on our destination point from a great height. After a bit of pointless blundering about Howard suddenly disappeared over the edge, using fortuitously situated clumps of heather to slow his descent, as he slid down the slope on his oil rig chair tempered buttocks. Oz and I followed suit, edging cautiously down what is essentially a grass cliff. Back on track it was a quick blast down Jingle Pot Edge, scene of Simon’s monochrome moment in TTB17, followed by half a dozen tarmac miles back to Reeth.

11^th. Tony and me out for a brief ride today because he had to be back in readiness for a night shift, keeping the streets of Hartlepool crime-free, so it was a quick blast from Clay Bank, over the top to Kildale via The Cleveland Way. Fed and watered, we returned equally speedily through Battersby and Greenhow plantations.

21^st. Mud-free rides are few and far between this April and we could definitely do without splodging through knee-deep crap, so we hauled our bikes up Carr Ridge, Simon’s self confessed “blistering pace” temporarily stunning me and oz. Over the North York Moors’ highest point, we made our way to Bloworth Crossing and the old Rosedale rail track. Blistering pace boy soon become a dot in the distance, the rear distance, his plaintive mewling cries of “Aren’t we going a bit fast?” lost in the brisk wind. He was first with a menu in his hand at The Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge, muttering some nonsense about being exhausted from playing football yesterday. Retracing our tracks, aided by a slight tail wind, we headed back to Bloworth, then The Incline, regrouping as we peered down the slope. The top section is a little broken and requires a bit of attention to the wheel trapping ruts which could give the unwary a rapid dismount. Once through the gate it only depends on one’s bravery/stupidity quotient, my personal land speed record was broken with a 47mph, which brave/stupid class that puts me in I don’t know. All that remained was a pleasant fire road excursion through the woods and a brief but punishing uphill back to Clay Bank.

29^th. Back to Billy No Mates, everyone who’s not working managed to find something better to do than ride a bike through the phenomenal showers we’ve been having this week. All except me, who decided to brave the weather and head for Clay Bank. A downhill start on tarmac, to get the new brake pads bedded in, took me rapidly to Ingleby Greenhow followed by Bank Foot then the hard slog up Ingleby Bank and onto Battersby Moor. Joining the Cleveland Way, a disappointing headwind curtailed the usual speedy descent to Glebe Cottage. Suitably refreshed, I made my way back through Battersby and Greenhow plantations, where the rain managed to catch up with me.