A very welcome return to the bikes for new knee recipient Deryck Brown, and his choice of venue today, Kielder Forest. I didn't expect to be out myself after a health scare a few days earlier, but all seemed OK so I joined in together with Gavin Brown, Colin Mitcheson and a rarely available Tim Burdett. Gavin was the odd man out being the only non-assisted bike rider and with 3,000 feet of climb upcoming it was never going to be an easy day for him, so big ups for that.
We kicked off around 10:15am from Kielder Castle car park with a crystal clear sky but pretty cool at 5 degrees. It wouldn't be long before top layers were being removed though as the temperature climbed another ten shortly after midday.
I've no idea where we went first, and the rest is a blur with only photographic evidence allowing me to guess at a few trail names. Forestry England's trail map is well out of date so that was no help, but Tim seemed to know where we were headed most of the time so we just tucked in behind and tried to keep him in sight. Not easy.
Below - yes, that's mine downside-up, new wheels and drivechain not yet adjusted properly - lost the chain THREE times! So choccie compensation coming soon.
A real shame, but what a view with all those trees gone.
Here's Deryck after stubbing his toe, ouch! :) (or did he bang THAT knee?)
After completing the castle/Deadwater side of the main road we retreated back to the cars for a nibble, and to allow Gavin to scrub some invasive material from his disc pads and ferric oxide from his rotors. Then we were off behind Tim again onto the Observatory Climb trail. We followed this all the way up the savage, boring fireroad until we reached the end of the road, literally, where the new Lonesome Pine Red trail starts.
It looks great up top but I would definitely NOT recommend riding all the way up here if you expect big payback or you don't have much energy, because there is none. Fair enough they are trying, and it's better than a fireroad descent but considering the height gain and the time it takes to get there you get very little in return. Even on an eeb.
The trail is split into sections, four, I think, but definitely nothing special. Back to the cars again a bit disappointed where a slightly fatigued Gavin called it a day and the electrically assisted quartet made their way back up the hill to do another Red section or two.
Thankfully that didn't take too long and we were soon rejoining our absentee again and packing up for the day.
I've stuck a few videos up and they are listed below with vague detail. Please subscribe or give them a "Like", if you like!
The old Deadwater Red Trail "Into the Valley"
Shimano Deore Concerto No1 in D Minor by Gavin Brown
The Final Red - back to the cars chasing Colin
