Date: Tuesday 12th April 2011
Route: WP, Horrabridge, Grenofen Bridge, Julian's Loop, Double Waters, B***ard Hill, Long Ash, HQ.
Riders: Paddy, Colin, Keith, Stevie B, James, Greg & Julian.
Depart: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 21:40
Distance: 11.5 miles
Weather: Nice

At 37 minutes past seven, it looked as though just three "Willowby Originals"; Flipper, Golden Pants and Parker would be out but lo!, all of a sudden up turn James, Julian, Greg and Stevie B to bolster the ranks. The big decision, as usual, was where to go. Well, Greg had to post a letter so right we went out of Willowby, then the decision - a perfect night for the popular Doublewaters ride. A newish route was picked as we left the gates at Leg o' Mutton, we then picked up with the traditional run down to Horrabridge (adjacent to the A386). Conditions under tread were firm, very firm...so firm in fact that the ensuing bounce knocked Keith's water bottle clean out of it's cage. Never mind, for luckily the tail end Charlie....me... saw it and picked it up and then ....put it down again thinking no ones stopped, it can't be anyone's, they would have noticed and its making my braking fingers hurt!!! It was only when I caught up as the troops waited for me that I was made to recognise my misdemeanour. Keith tried to see the funny side, I didn't, for when he laughed, all I saw was a flipping big gap where a tooth should have been....very Parker like - that gentle rogue of a chauffeur to Lady Penelope.

Anyhow off we set again over the Long Ash Common and down another testy new single track, for me and others, to Grenofen Bridge. A cracking ride in the twilight zone down the riverside track was navigated. On the way we very nearly literally bumped into a team of 'Off road Bandits" cycling in the opposite direction.

The way things were panning out we would have been back at HQ1 within an ETA of 9:15. With Jail's @ £3.45 a pint, we would break our little piggy skinned Ecuadorian purses by 10:30, so we decided to add a little spice to proceedings by extending a loop to "Julian's Drop". "Watch out for the 'drop' off at the end of the speedy descent!" warned James, "It'll catch you out". It didn't catch James out...he had a puncture. Our ESO (Emergency Support Officer) SB, decreed that I should make ground on the leaders to warn them of the predicament. This is like sending a donkey after a herd of stallions which have gone off chasing the only "hot" mare in town. A mile later, I caught up with the young steeds as they took in water at Doublewaters.

All collected again, we set off on the climb up Bastard Hill. The snakey first bends had lost their venom in the drying conditions and I think all negotiated them without dabbing. It is a testament to the group's fitness that the normal "arse" blowing wasn't as prevalent as it has been in the past rides as we crested the hill, indeed Keith passed me as though he was the only "hot" mare in town and was being chased by that herd of stallions.

We set off for the run home thinking we might take a detour to find "The Lost Bridge". It was then Keith's turn to have a puncture so with time now not quite on our side we decided to let "The Lost Bridge" remain lost for at least another week. The ride back went without further incident, Greg and Steve powered the way, with Julian, Paddy, and the rest clinging as best we could to their wheel stream.

A short ride, the ride is nevertheless a classic. We all arrived back at HQ1 to talk about; Greg's skiing holiday, camping expeditions, lost bottles, the price of beer, the geology of Horrabridge and missing friends. A good night!

Reporter: Colin

President's Footnote: As you've just read, tonight I lost my bottle, which adds to the three front mudguards, two pumps, two multi-tools and one set of house keys that I've littered the moors with. Anyway, talking of losing my bottle reminds me of when I was 39 (nearly ten years ago) and playing a 5-a-side football match against a high flying team of teenagers when I scored a goal and was then comprehensively taken out. I was lying on the floor looking at the lights way up in the roof musing, 'I think I've had enough of this'. So, at the end of that season I hung up my trainers and on Westy's insistence and guidance bought a mountain bike and started to go cycling with him on a Tuesday evening instead........