Ups and Downs at Allgreave

The cold weather that had been present since the New Year showed little sign of abating, and it was a chilly but sunny day that greeted the participants of the outing to the Rose and Crown at Allgreave. Skint Wilson and Murray had perspired over a route of some 9 miles for the edification of those following.
The route set off down the road, turning left at the bottom of the dip and following the track to All Meadows. It then followed the Dane on a very familiar route to Danebridge. A little wriggle and past the Trout farm and alongside the river before at last starting to climb past Whitelee.

The runners had set off in good order, in small groups and singly. The groups also split when the pace was too high for some. So a wide range of abilities were spread around the route. Bell, Dobson, Park and Early Taylor had set off promptly, as did Shippers and Whitworth and Merciless Winterbone. Jocys, Mason and Ridings walked various routes according to their whim. A faster pack, led by Potter, and containing Old Markham, Dawson, Stanton and Norman followed the Ruddocks, Wells and new boy Coatsworth.   Then, on his own, Fast Taylor and finally the fast boys, Biker Eastwood, Shotgun, Jackson, Bloodless Whitehead with dog and young Butler. A total of 27 participants were out and about.

The trail led over the fields to dip sharply down into Shell Brook with a commensurate  steep pull out again from where it headed across to the Gritstone Trail at Hawkslee. The trail follows a road slowly gaining height up Bosely Minn before turning right just before the top to drop sharply down again to Higher Greasley then slowly down to Butterlands. A sharp turn right and we dropped back down to Shell Brook, and then steeply back out again past Lower Greasley. A left turn started us headed homewards, past Bennettshill and the pub on the main road at Longgutter with the 2CV meet at the rear, and with the pub in clear view, the detour via Hammerton Knowl Farm and the final drop to cross Clough Brook before the slight incline up the track to the pub.

The fast boys were living up to their name, with Biker making sure that they didn’t dawdle. Fast Taylor lost his sole on the way round and progressed on his own. Potter was leading out his group, or had said something offensive. The Ruddocks gave up waiting for Wells and Coatsworth, who enjoyed a steady pace to complete the run in a little over 2 hours. The pub was warm and welcoming, and very shortly the food was available. Hotpot and bread, or Veg curry for those indisposed to meat. Very pleasant, and the beer was good. The Apple Crumble proved very popular and some even managed to take portions home to enjoy later. All too soon members said there farewells and headed off home, another successful run completed.