Date: Saturday 22nd August 2009
Riders: Sam, Keith, Paddy, Julian & Paul
Distance: 19 miles
Weather: Dry & mild.
Time: Departed Eastella Road 07.40, returned 09.50.
Horizontal Sam!
A crack of dawn (well it certainly seemed
like it to me) start produced five early risers as we gathered
at Paul's house on Eastella Road. The early start was required
because of pink chit expiry times! Julian suggested the
upward part of the route so we set off to Yennadon and traversed
the hill to the car park. After a quick ride along the road
we headed onto the track to Leather Tor Bridge.
From here we headed up
the 'Bone Shaker', a tricky route which we were all handling
pretty well until Sam's derailleur was attacked by a lump of
granite! Whilst trying to pick up his bike off him, I realised
how
good his clips were! Anyway, he'd somehow got part of the
derailleur entangled with a spoke! Although he managed to pull
it free, there was some lasting damage and he could only continue
onwards with the middle cogs! (Of course, if Greg had been with
us, I'm sure a full mend would have been achieved)!
We headed into Princetown and despite the ticking clock, we
carried on past our sponsors home, Dartmoor Brewery, and
headed up North Hessary Tor. Sam found this more testing than
most with the lack of gears and
I counted three more gentle visits to the turf, making five
in total for the ride!! Due to the wetness under wheel, this
was a real beast today and I think that perhaps we should only
attempt
this climb
in
the
summer!!
The need to return home ASAP prevailed and we did this mainly
by the old railway, although there was a split with three of
us going through Walkhampton. Another cracking ride and Sam
will need to see the bike doctor to make his steed well again!
Reporter: Keith
Get the big hammer!!
The North Hessary ascent, Sam picks himself up again!!
