Date:
Tuesday 28th July 2009
Riders: Keith, Stephen, Paddy, Julian, Alan, Paul & Sam*
Distance: 16 miles
Weather: Low cloud, dry, mild.
Time: Departed Willowby 19.40, arrived HQ 22.00.
The GOWCC keeps expanding
or
Two new lambs came to the slaughter (thanks Paddy)
Tonight we welcomed two new men, Alan and Paul. After the exertions of the 24/12
on Saturday, a gentle ride was proposed and Colin was absent due to an accumulation
of injuries in the last week. We cobbled together a route which took us up to
the old railway via the hill out of Walkhampton. At this point, Alan experienced
mechanical problems with his bike and stopped twice to investigate. The problem
turned out to be human, in the shape of Paddy, holding onto his rear mudguard!!
We
followed
the
track
to
the
north west side of King's Tor where we dropped off, crossed a stream then made
our way towards the Merrivale Stone Rows. A steep descent to pick up Badger's
Ally followed before another stiff climb back up past Routrundle Farm, across
the main road and into the back end of Burrator Forest. We followed the leat
through the forest where I had an 'off' that could have been an all time classic,
if I'd fallen to my right and not to my left. I received a small graze on my
knee, but if I'd gone the other way, I would have been relying on the other gents
to pull me out of the fast flowing leat!! A quick final loop over Yennadon saw
us arrive at HQ at a respectable hour. Stephen handed out jersey invoices and
some mention was made of the weekend's twelve hour race, with reminisces of the
ladies team that inspired our gents to go up hill quicker!!
*Sam arrived at Willowby to see where we were going then returned home for his
tea! He set out to join us, but despite mobile communications and us sighting
him going around King's Tor,
we
failed
to
meet
up
at
any
point!
Reporter: Keith
