Date: Thursday 3rd December 2009
Riders: Colin, Keith, Greg & Paddy
Departure time: 19.40
Arrival time: 22.00
Distance: Forgot to ask – probably about normal
Weather: Cold, clear but with one (cold) shower. Temp ~ 5°C
The morning after…
..the
night before. Four hardy souls braved tiredness and the after
effects of the inaugural GOWCC Christmas bash.
And it’s
getting COLD!!!
Colin suggested his favourite route and there
were no murmurs of discontent so Routemeister (feigning illness)
dispatched us.
A very cold run down to Meavy and then (as Routemeister had stayed
behind) we decided upon going up Earthquake…..mistake.
Many wheel spins later we got to Ringmoor Cottage and headed
cross country towards Cadover Bridge passing a police car and
recovery vehicle pulling a rolled Clio onto the truck. After
offering our limited services we continued to Cadover taking
the left to the Clay Pits. Once at the top we peeled left following
the pits round to the East discovering that Greg had not actually
been out this way before. Always a voyage of discovery with the
Gentlemen!!!
Once at the end of the track we headed down
the challenging drop at the edge of the pits and picked up
the farm track. By
then it was 9pm and Greg thought it a good idea to head home
and not continue out to Cann Wood (good call as we didn’t
arrive at HQ2 until 10pm!). So we sped down to pickup the Cornwood
- Lee Moor road and high tailed it up past the stables, along
through Wotter and then dropped down through Shaugh Prior to
pick up the Plym Valley bike track home.
A generous offer from Keith to warm our cockles
at HQ2 was accepted, although Westy decided early to bed was
the order of the day.
Greg and I only stayed for “one” and are now able
to confirm that Jail Ale is not only a good pint but clearly
travels well (and should be exported far and wide)…..well….they
can export from Princetown to Yelverton AND the Golf Club without
ANY noticeable effect on taste. Quality ingredients are obviously
key!!!
Greg and I caught a VERY heavy shower on the
way back from HQ2 across the Aerodrome and our respect for
The Pres continues to
grow knowing he does it most weeks in the opposite (uphill) direction.
It was only at this point in the evening that comments from both
our spouses hit home…..”You’re mad going out
in this” seemed a common theme!!!!!
Despite the very heavy sleet shower at 6.30pm tonight most of
the ride was conducted under full moon and stars. What more can
you ask of Dartmoor???
Reporter: Paddy
Top Tip: When stopping at HQ2 Keith has a great
hose with which to clean your steed!!!
President's footnote: Another service offered
at HQ2 is a packet of Jail Ale crisps with every pint! And
if you want to see what this route looks like in daylight,
click here.
