DATE : Tuesday 8th February 2011
ROUTE : W.P - Woolwell - Plym Woods - Cann Woods - Bickleigh via cycle path - Shaugh bridge - Pipe track - Cadover - Earthquake - HQ.
RIDERS : Sam, Paddy, Nick, Adrian, James, Rob, Keith, Colin & Steve.
Depart : 1940 - Arrive 2220 ish
Distance : No idea
Weather : Yes

Monday night, polishing off the first bottle of red and contemplating being foolish enough to venture out the following evening then…..Oh bugger I suddenly have a vague recollection of promising to produce the report after last weeks outing. Amazing what two pints of Jail can be responsible for. Here I am a week later struggling without success to recall events.

Arriving at W.P. in time to see Greg running!? down Meavy Lane (what next, hashing)? I heave a sigh of relief aware that the Routmeister is also unable to play so we may get some mercy. After the customary greetings we set off across Roborough Down passing HQ2 and on to the Dartmoor Chef at a pace that even allowed conversation, though I believe most of the pack began to shiver whilst waiting for me to catch up.

After a short tour of Woolwell we entered Plym woods racing down a steep slope led by Paddy (well the rest did as I gallantly walked down to check nobody had dropped any vital piece of equipment). On through a series of narrow tracks and then onto a rutted forest track. Despite James trying to lead part of the pack left instead of right we managed to regroup on one of the Plym valley cycle path viaducts.

With instructions from Colin to stop at the ‘kissing gate’ we headed down the track and turned left into Cann woods just before Plym bridge and on up and up and up whilst discussing the impending sale of the Forest and restrictions on access. We can forget that subject for at least a month.

Top of the hill and a debate on routes home along the lines of Jungle book, ‘What do wanna do’, ‘I dunno what do you wanna do’ with Rob breaking the stalemate and heading off in favour of the ‘pipe track option’. After a good run downhill through the woods it was back onto the cycle path and up to the rail siding prior to the tunnel. Here Nick left us to bravely go in search of the Gruffalo alone in the tunnel and onto H.Q alone to order the ale.

Despite us slowing him down Adrian joined the rest as we went through Shaugh Prior and Sam led the way up Shaugh hill and UP the ‘pipe track’. Adrian informed us apparently the challenge is to ride up the track with a minimal amount of ‘dabbing’ your feet on the ground. News to me as I was unaware we where even supposed to even ride that section. After a detour down ‘earthquake’ and through Meavy we arrived at H.Q. at about 10.20ish. Here Keith confirmed the annual dinner will be taking place at H.Q.2 on Friday 18th March.

Reporter: Steve

President's Footnote: I can confirm the mileage as 19 this evening.