Date: Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Riders: Paul, Stephen, Keith, Colin, Greg and Martin.
Departed: 19.35
Arrived HQ: 21.35
Distance: 13 miles
Weather: Mild, wet & windy!

Six on a Soggy Moor

After discussion of where to go, considering the dampness of the day, five met at WP before descending down the secret singletrack alongside the A386. For those who haven’t been yet, it’s a gem…if it’s dry. However, the going tonight was apparently somewhere between maiming and lethal, with riders falling like 9 pins.

A light flashed through my front room was the signal for me to join the boys and we headed out into the drizzle to begin the ascent of Jordan Lane up onto Plasterdown. Now when I say drizzle, it was the sort of drizzle that waterproofs are useless against. So, within 2mins of arriving on Plasterdown, we were drenched. Ah well, at least it was warm.

With the Routemeister making the route up as he went along, we found a way across Plasterdown and then headed up past the kennels and onto the track to Pewtor Cottage. Arriving at the cottage, the moor made its intentions clear on the sort of track we should expect. What, according to Stephen, had been frozen two days ago, was now akin to the Everglades. Mangrove trees were springing up around us, alligators could be heard grunting their mating calls and a manatee was even spotted. Anyway, we continued our route across to Merrivale, at speeds of walking and less. Paul spotted a nice stream, thought he spotted a salmon and dived in to try and catch it. Nice try Paul.

On the road we regrouped and took the flyer down to Heather Fell’s house and on to Badger Alley. With slippery rocks and muddy puddles, the descents were interesting if not elegant but we emerged without incident to then take the road back to Huckworthy. This meant high speeds but with the rain now heavier, water was reaching the parts you’d rather it didn’t.

A quick rip up to Yelverton brought us to the delights of HQ. We oozed in, to be joined by Alan and contributed well to the coffers of the Christmas do.

Reporter: Martyn

President's Footnote I: Tonight I thought this is what the GOWCC is all about, getting us out of a warm dry home and onto the moors and into the pub. Great ride and great company, long may it continue.

President's Footnote II: As this was my first 'proper' outing for six weeks since my hip injury, I reached Walkhampton with the fuel gauge on empty! Thankfully HQ had the 'magnets' turned up and they pulled me all the way to the bar!!

President's Footnote III: My ego took a bit of a dent when I had a shower and noticed that my hernia was protruding beyond another nearby bodily part!!!