Date: Tuesday 18th August 2009
Riders: Sam, Stephen, Colin, Nick, Greg, Neil, Glen & Chris
Distance: 18.8 miles (by Neil's GPS, accurate to within ¼ pint)!!
Weather: Dry, mild, clear on the lower levels, foggy on the
high ground
Time: Departed Willowby 19.45, arrived HQ 10:00
A
group effort determined the route tonight.... spoilt for choice
we eventually decided to aim high - in order to achieve
the great heights we gave ourselves a tough route considering
the conditions under tread, i.e. soft and yielding on the
moorland turf. "The Magnificent 8", predominantly
attired in the new club colours, set off at great pace into
Meavy past the entrancing odours emanating from "The
Royal Oak". We toughed it out though... we hardened
cyclists don't take to drink until the ride is over do we?!
Anyhow, from Meavy Bridge we took to the tricky
ascent recently named "Earthquake" - something
to do with the tremors caused after a recent high speed fall
by 'the Routemeister'.
It is noticeable that the puff pants are getting less noticeable
if you get my drift. Its either 1 - We are all approaching
peak fitness or 2 - We don't want to let on how F*&King
knackered we are so early in the ride. We crested the rise
from Ringmoor Cottage towards Sheepstor and then 'skirted'
Guttor Tor by way of Edward's Path to Ditsworthy Warren House.
No rabbits here but further on in the ride, one cheeky blighter
took me on with a 100 yard sprint and won. I'm sure the pesky
thing "mooned" me as I eventually passed him en route
to S. Hessary.
Back to the script.... from the cottage we
headed NE up Drizzle Coombe to Eyelsbarrow Mines via Higher
Hartor Tor. A well rutted
track and decent incline necessitated that all had to put some
determined effort in to conquer the rise. (Nick was further
hindered by a wobbly wheel affecting gear selection). With
the fog closing in and light levels falling we set off across
the 'Abbots Way' to Princetown. Early on Glen struck trouble,
a pinched tyre, a broken pump and second last in the trail
of riders meant that a split formed. The first quartet (Greg,
Steve, Nick & Sam headed for "the Plume". The
second quartet followed a quarter of an hour or so behind and
arrived at the watering hole to find the first four taking
on water or something like! (Quelle Horreur!). After the briefest
of breaks we all remounted to take the fast track return home
using the King's Tor Cut to shorten the mileage a touch. Not
all went smoothly, I was momentarily dumped on my back by my
not so trusted steed (haven't mastered the Keith Parriss dismount
yet) and we had to play 'dodge the big black heifers' on the
way down. Luckily techno Chris, who appears to have all the
gear, lit the route like a lighthouse making the ride home
that little bit less tortuous for the likes of Neil and Glen
who had lights totaling 2 candle power between them by the
end of the evening.
Last pieces of bike technical skills were demonstrated as
Glen and Chris navigated the drop from the final embankment
at the end of the track from Princetown.
After the race back, all (except me) took refuge from the
night air by seeking warmth, friendly conversation and of course
the mandatory sponsors refreshment at another sponsors hostelry
(The Rock HQ).
I.... had wounds to lick - again.
Reporter: Colin
