Ride date: Tuesday 21st July
Conditions - Threat of Moisture in the air - the ride was a
dry one
Riders - Dave, Nick, Fraser, Colin, Julian & Sam.
Out - 7:50, return 10:15 to HQ
The ride was delayed somewhat, a couple of
expected new riders failed to make the roll call, even though,
strangely, they
were spotted in the very near vicinity @ 7:30. Anyhow off the
jolly 6 went across the west side of the moor to the Dartmoor
Diner (with new man Fraser not exactly in tow). At this stage,
it seemed a fairly gentle pace although in reflection, Dave
remarked otherwise. Perhaps he had an inkling for events that
were to unfold. We left the moorland at the 'Diner' and stayed
on road via Roborough Village to the Plym Valley access at
Woolwell roundabout. Things went a little bit pooh shaped for
a number of riders from there. Approximately ½ mile
into the woods, the gritty straight forward trail banks to
the right
quite steeply on a prepared concrete surface. However, because
of location and conditions, this normally nondescript path
turned into an extremely greasey tracked descent. Three of
us were ejected from our steeds, Julian and Sam at the top
and Colin at slightly increased speed further on into the slope.
Julian and Sam appeared to get away with just confidence dented
and pride hurt. I (Westy) suffered a blow to the head which
almost knocked the last bit of sense from me. I was indebted
to Julian's prompting to find somewhere to sit/stick my head
between my legs and Dave's unselfish offer of a chunky Mars
bar. The short of it was, despite a heavily grazed elbow and
less severe grazes to abdomen and leg (Gosh I was so brave)
we were able to continue. Julian and Fraser took the lead and
found a single track which became just about unrideable, except
to the 'rookie', down to the bottom of the valley. Temporarily
we lost Dave somewhere off the fire track upto the Woolwell
viaduct. A posse was sent out (Fraser) and once reunited we
crossed into Cann Woods just south of the quarry. Under Julian's
direction found a Whizzo piece of single track with little
drop offs, berms, jumps and twists. All agreed it was something
to be taken on when there was a little more light in the woods
and a little more fire in our bellies. One climb back to what
is effectively the hub for the lower part of these woods. We
picked up Dave again and then took a more familiar track back
down to the "kissing gate" on the Plym Bridge section
of the track. On the long haul home, the six became split into
two threes. The second trio decided to leave the track at Goodameavy,
to take the sharp ascent to the top of Clearbrook. "Bad
move", Nick suffered a puncture. With all light gone this
wounded/puffed out trio eventually creaked its way back to
HQ to find the other three wrapped up with their beers and
tales of the previous weekends anniversary music events at
the Rock. Ouch what a night....its what mountain biking is
all about!
Reporter Westy
