Date: Tuesday 31st August 2010
Route: WP, Earthquake, Gutter Tor, Ditsworthy Warren Houses(!), Nunn's Cross, Princetown, Railway, HQ.
Riders: Paul, Keith, Sam, James, Steve & Nick.
Depart: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:15
Distance: 17 miles
Weather: Dry, moorland mist.

Anniversary Ride

It was two years ago this week that the first ride of the GOWCC took place. The seven Founder Members cycled what we would now consider a very short, easy ride. We went through Walkhampton, up to the old railway, into the back of Burrator woods then, believe it or not, we stopped off at the Burrator pub for some cheap beer!

Since that momentous evening we have all bought new bikes (apart from Simon, who may have forgotten where his bike is!) and welcomed many enthusiastic new members, to the point where even though none of the six founder residents were out this evening, six gents still gathered outside No.4 WP for an evening's fun. Three residents did come out to give their excuses for non-attendance, before seeing us off.

We decided to investigate what Steven Spielberg was up to at Ditsworthy Warren with the filming of his new film 'War Horse'. So off we went to ascend Earthquake and across Ringmoor Down to Gutter Tor. Nick found the start hard going and suggested he might do a halfman, which we all duly ignored!

Having by passed security by approaching from the Western flank we descended in stealth with lights out to see what a multi-million pound film budget brings to Dartmoor. The answer, a smoothed track, lots of vehicles, a new (fake) thatched roof for Ditsworthy Warren House and a brand new (old) cottage!

From there, with the light just about all gone and a hint of some Dartmoor mist descending, we did the old classic, Drizzle Combe, Nunn's Cross, South Hessary, Princetown, railway, HQ. Not without some incident of course. Nick took on one of the granite drainage ditches and lost! And there were a number of new short, deep, boggy ruts that had appeared over the summer, caught me out a few times. We all arrived safely at HQ at 22:15 to be joined by Stephen, Fraser and Colin for the usual refreshments! Long live the GOWCC!!

Reporter: Keith