Reeth Weekend – The Annual Pilgrimage

by Graham Heath

Once again the annual Reeth challenge was upon us and a slight change to the usual itinerary meant that we drove up early on the Saturday morning to tackle the traditional ‘Monster’ ride. This was a massive change in emphasis from our usual stance of the beer being more important than the riding – was this a sign of our new found cycling enthusiasm? No not really, just that it meant that we could save on a nights B & B and spend the savings on the Saturday nights entertainment!  To complete the long ride sober was an attractive proposition  and we all thought that it would seem far easier than the normal blurry eyed slog, however, this was not the case and it seemed just as tough as normal! This just goes to prove that it doesn’t matter what type of fuel you put into an old car, it will still only go at the same speed!
            After last years awful weather it was always going to be difficult to attract a large turnout. Nigel (marathon man) Baldwin and Russ (only 5 hours a week) Hepton were so destroyed by  last years weather that they promptly made up some pathetic excuses and cried off, it was no real surprise as the Reeth challenge really does sort the men from the boys.
            Four hardy souls, Mike Kershaw, Steve Gregory, Mike Dixon and Graham Heath all showed the required inner steel that is needed to complete such an epic. Dicko, who had rested the previous year due to a marital problem (the wife said he couldn’t come! –ho ho) had been granted permission as long as he promised to do all the chores around the house – no difference there then! He did however have to go early on the Sunday morning missing the warm down ride due to his wedding anniversary – at this rate we may be able to get him for full weekend within the next ten years!
            The weather this year was fantastic with blue skies and warm sunshine for both days. This was probably the best weather we have had in the last 15 years and this coupled with the clear heads (Saturday only) made for a superb days cycling. Both the Mikes had bought new forks for the trip  and it wasn’t long before Dicko tested his full travel by going over the bars on a steep descent, luckily he was ok with only  slight embarrassment having just informed us how good and confident he was feeling with this new found performance! Steve was also less adventurous on the descents due to the fact he lost all his front teeth in a recent spill! Luckily he has been lent some spare ones from the local equestrian centre which seem to suit him just fine (see picture)
            The route takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete and crosses three valleys and includes some of the best mountain biking in Yorkshire, and as a bonus it conveniently finishes near the pub in Grinton village. After taking on fluids we then returned to our digs at the Kings Arms in Reeth to begin the rehabilitation process of boozing and eating! Unfortunately the pub had a last orders policy (unlike the others in the village!) which meant that we were all tucked up by 01.30 am – a bit of an early night but we didn’t fancy being locked out.
            The Sunday continued with the same good weather and after packing Dicko off to his anniversary with some cracking ideas on how to surprise the wife, the three remaining riders completed the shorter but still challenging ride. Mike Kershaw was envious at the attention that  Dicko had received the day before with his ‘over the bars’ exibition and waited until the final descent before stunning us with a full 360 flip into a muddy bog! Once again Mike had pulled the master stroke of delaying his arrival at the pub and any chance of him buying a round! Me and Steve will just never learn!
            The whole weekend was a real laugh with plenty of banter and some serious crack. We’ve being coming up here for years now, usually at about this time of year so if your up for a good weekend, ask the wife and pencil it in – Oct 2008 Reeth Challenge.

	Mike Kershaw just before his forward flip