Ingelton
Ride
02
April 07
Master
& Student Ride
Gary
Wade and Simon Retford set off for this 47Km tour of Ingelton.
We
got into Clapham about 1000, it was a beautiful, suny clear day. we
set off up a rocky climb through some old tunnels and onto the moor.Simon
was telling me about the recent courses he had taken part in, a mountain
bike leaders coures, and a mechanics course. He was glad that he could
now mend his own bike and didnt have to rely on me.We slogged on up
another couple of climbs, as Si was shutting a gate i held his bike
and noticed the headset was loose.
Master:
Your headset is loose, it needs minor adjustment
Student:
Ill get my tool out and adjust it right now no problem
Student
then proceeds to try and adjust the headset without loosening off
stem bolts.
Student:
Thats strange, it is still loose
Master:
You need to loosen the bolts off student, that is an elementary mistake
Student:
You
smart arse
Master:
I
am trying to impart my knowledge to you in order for you to be of
my level one day, you should look , listen and learn from the master
who has forgotten more about mechanical engineering than you may ever
know
Student:
I am sorry master i will look listen and learn.
We
carried on with the ride along rough tracks to a fantastic little
cafeat Horton In Ribblesdale, where the 3 peaks walk starts form,
and had the obligatory tea and cakes.Then off again upwards towards
the penine way, then onto Blea Moor for a long rough downhill.
My
GPS batteries had died, so Simon was in sole charge of the navigational
duties. As we passed under the Ribblehead Viaduct i thought about
taking a picture , but remembered for the 50th time that my camera
batteries were flat.
We
got into Ingelton afetr a long slog over a grassy energy sapping moor
called Hard Rigg. Then another 3 1/2 miles on road back to Clapham,
we thought it would be easy , but the roads were all steep uphills
and we were knackered.
We
were soon back at the car looking forward to a pint of Black Sheep,
Si took us to the Marton Arms Hotel, which had a fantastic range of
Real Ale and over 200 Whiskies on offer. A return visit was promised.We
downed our pint and made our way back to the car for the trip home,
as we got down the motorway Si pulled up suddenley, christ the rack
is slipping off the car, onto the hard shoulder for some emergency
repairs, i looked at the rack and something was not right, but it
was students rack and he looked to know what he was doing.
Off
we set again, 10 minutes later we pulled on the services, rack slipped
again, i got out and saw that Student had put the straps on upside
down.
Master:
The straps are on wrong, allowing the rack to constantly slip, if
you put them on like this, the weight of the rack is being held on
the main straps, the way you have fastened it means the straps are
not in tension. Can you see Student?
Student:
Nobody likes a smart arse master i will change the straps as you have
suggested
Master:
some students take longer than others to reach fulfilment.an old proverb
says:
To
acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must
observe.
Student:
Master thank you i will remember your advice
and try to watch , listen and learn in future, now
get in the car and shut up!
A
great day out with fantastic weather, dry challenging trails, and
the banter that we always come to expect on a club ride
