We were promised a gentle run by Andy to ease Chris back into the harsh reality of the Dark Peak after his extended stay in the soft sands of Portugal. We ten even started in the civilised urban surroundings of Low Bradfield, appropriately in the Sands car park.
There was no overtaking at the start as we trod the ancient stones to the stream crossing and the narrow climb to the road for a few hundred metres of tarmac around Agden reservoir. Off the road, there is a pleasant forest track by a steep almost hidden ravine which has apparently been used for motor cross trials (?). This was to be the pattern for the rest of the run as we popped out of the wood into an open steep field, a sequence of trees and fields which left us dizzyingly disoriented for most of the evening’s outing, unless, of course, you were a local Loxley Lad. This unfamiliar terrain was too much for John who wisely retired and returned to The Sands.
Whilst not in the classic fell running territory the Slow Warts are used to, it was nevertheless not easy, with some significantly steep climbs and tricky underfoot narrow ways which required high levels of concentration. So, we’d be running along in file, if not in step, with our heads down paying our obeisance to the straggling tree roots. Oh, and, by the way, it rained, prompting the appearance of a flurry of waterproofs, followed, not long afterwards, by the packing away of waterproofs in the welcome return of the sunshine. Oh, what fickle weather!
Somehow, after more fields and forest, we found ourselves in the Canyards neighbourhood which feels slightly mysterious with its name and its geological structure, how did it form? We continued past a farm crowded with, not farm animals, but tanker lorries marked thankfully “Non-hazardous”, not something we would normally encounter on traditional Slow Warts’ territory.
We had been warned that this so-called easy run would include two or three challenging hills, steep or long. Having completed one from near the start, we were faced with a long moderately steep one which had to be completed by running all the way. It provides a perfect opportunity to test the idea that it can be quicker to walk than run up some slopes depending on, of course, fitness levels, age, etc. Well, nine of us ran, walked or did both, using only basic timing methods and, not surprisingly, the trial was inconclusive, there were too many factors to take into account. Of course, we’ll continue the trials, if only to do a bit more running uphill, which I believe is what fell funning is all about.
Regathering, we continued via Bar Dyke through field and forest to Agden Reservoir for a short return to the car park where it rained again. After two and a quarter hours, spirits were lifted in the pub (The Plough), particularly when the Faster (Willy’s) Warts arrived after their outing to find named (on the OS map) Stones, including Pike Lowe Stones, just north east of Pike Lowe. Conversations also ranged wide and far, from babies (there’s been a recent crop of grand babies), Hoka shoes and which is the most dangerous sport, surprisingly, fishing was suggested, though I’m not entirely convinced.
Despite its duration and length of about two hours, we did accept we’d had a fine outing so thanks to all.
Graham
