Abandoned by 'the creche', time-trialers, and budding potters (you know who you are!) for the evening, the social group set out from The Moorcock to follow a quick little route that Father Ted recommended starting out up '5-mile-hike'.
He set off at a cracking pace and we all tried to slip-stream him up the 'hike to Fylingdales.
Hackness Mike joined us at the last minute, and gave us a few minutes head start - which wasn't enough!
- He cruised passed us all very quickly anyway.
Anthem Lizzy, Anthem Jackie and Anthem Siobhan managed to fly up the climb AND talk non-stop all the way.
Keith, Pete and Ravenscar Chris kept up a steady pace and I took up my usual place at the back, at some points quite a long way back!

As you leave the forest above Fylingdales you have a choice of routes.
1) Turn left, and return via the Hole Of Horcum, or up Crosscliff climb.
2) Turn right and climb further up to Lilla Cross.
3) Turn around and freewheel back down to the start.
Smart people take option 3, but you're not reading this because you're smart - you're reading this
because you're a mountain biker.

We took option 2 which was a first for some of us, up to Lilla Cross. We got there just as the sun was setting and paused to enjoy the scene. Dry trails, beautiful scenery, not a soul in sight except for Chris and Hackness Mike in the distance rebuilding one of their bikes. Not sure what  broke, but it looked jolly complicated as we cycled passed and enjoyed a brief stint in the lead.

The trail from the cross back down towards Low North Camp was fantastic. Lovely and dry, rode fast, rocky and deeply eroded in parts, you really had to pick your line, but everyone enjoyed it. The 'hike' seemed like a small price to pay to get to ride that. Will definitely do it again.
Passed quickly through a field next to some cows before Huffin Jax noticed the bull (and vice-versa).
Then headed back to Langdale End.

Some people are saying that March was the driest on record. They clearly haven't visited around here. There's only one place muddier and harder to plug through than the trail back to Langdale End, and that's the WRONG trail back to Langdale End.
With 'the Anthem Three' boldly in the lead of the true social riders we became detached from Father Ted's lead pack and found an alternative and VERY muddy route back. Safe to say we ALL ended up in some incredibly deep stuff at times. however we all practiced our track stand skills (easiest when stuck axle-deep in mud). One by one, each of us ended up in some REALLY deep and smelly stuff, not sure it was all mud. We had to apologise to the owners of The Moorcock when some of us went in afterwards, leaving some horribly muddy kit outside in the hope it would dry off, and just leaving damp footprints all over the place instead.

Not sure how Father Ted and Hackness Mike excused their mess to the owners of The Everley, but they went there instead owing to a communications mix-up. Sorry about that guys!

2.5hrs and 25km. Excellent springtime ride. Thanks to Chris for leading it!