Offroad fat fun @ Hamsterley Forest - Part 1

Yesterday there was some mtb training at Hamsterley Forest for 8-12 year olds so Arran wanted to join in, this means a nice ride out for me and Angus! Angus took the 29+" wheels off and put the spare 26+" wheels on so we were both riding normal Beargrease's. It was due to start at 10am so we got there a little early to get unpacked, signed on etc then Arran snapped his chain in the car park so fixed that with a Sram Power link and off they went. It was a canny turn out and some of the parents tagged along on the back of the pack. The sun was shinning but there was also a couple of showers but by the time we all left the car park the wind had blown the showers away. The kids headed off to the skills loop to warm up and me/Angus headed out of the forest towards Doctors Gate. The last section of moor has dried up but still some very deep puddles but the side tracks were powder dry. It was near gale force on the top of the exposed moor so instead of dropping back down into the forest we decided to head over to the elephant trees above Frosterley. Why, I have no idea as we had a massive headwind all the way, we reached the gate to drop down into Hill End but Angus did not want to climb back up so we had a break at the gate.
We also stopped at the trees on the way back to take some photos whilst the wind was blowing us all the way back down the sandy dry trail. Once back at Doctors Gate we dropped back into the forest, along to the Grove, back along the Grove link trail, one loop of the skills and back to the car park.
The kids were due back at 1.15pm but were running late due to a puncture. We packed away the bikes and went over the top and dropped down into Wolsingham for ice creams at the park before heading home. Arran covered over 14 miles with some good climbing, me and angus did just over 16 miles with over 2500ft of climbing.
One last note the car parking has gone up to £4 now instead of £3, but if you are not stopping long you can get 1hr for £1.50.
Below are some photos from the ride, I have split them into two parts as there are a few, enjoy and more soon -