Conquered Knowl Hill

Yesterday had the worst forecast for the whole week but nevertheless it was a day of triumph for me and the other 5 bike riders, we set off at 11am in the rain, and headed up towards Watergrove reservoir near Wardle, where the rain seemed to die off for a little bit.

When all of a sudden, the curse of Knowl hill began to attack us, when kyle was sick all over the bridleway and Matty's chain got stuck and we had to take his whole chain system off to get it out, which lost us half an hour, but Smiv used this time wisely to find him self some jumps n stuff to do on his bike to do on his bike.

So after we passed through Healy dell this is where the bike ride REALLY began up to 2 and a half mile ascent rooley moor road, where we had a good view of the black smog clouds of death over Rochdale, that where just heading our way. on we trudge up this stupid hill and get to our first trig, hailstorm ridge (above left)

Now the rain kicks in a bit more, and visibility starts to close in and the best excitement we had was a pretty waterfall flowing with smelly bog water. next we head through a gate that someone warns us of whats ahead, but we trudge on despite the warnings.

It was now a matter of guess the direction we are supposed to be heading as now the fog was very think now, and we couldn't see 10m in front of us, and just to add to the really nice weather conditions, kyle gets cramp in his calf and couldn't move it and Smiv's seat snaps off his bike for absolute no reason at all, and I started to wonder if we would ever get round to Knowl hill..but the second trig (right) makes up for it all which very hard to locate because of the fog.

Whitham as per usual makes his classic whitham fall, and looses his shoe to a very deep bog, which took us a while to fish out, but we got it in the end, what a fool, next time he best make sure he throws his whole body in there and not just his shoe.

finaly after some good navigation we get to knowl hill and bag our self the third and last trig (left) of the day. at which point we are relieved and drop down in to greenbooth reservoir which was closed, and we had to scale up a few cliff faces with our bikes and stuff, but nothing to strenuous. by which point i think my camera seized up or summat from the condensation, so i don't have any more pictures from this point so ill come to a close

evetually into milnrow, shower and tea, then to the back waggon in milnrow, for a few where Ben won £15 on a raffle, and we all stumbled home hoping our legs wouldnt just snap off on the way back.

twas a good day, and we sure showed that blasted knowl hill who was boss! and with that i say good bye!