Date: Tuesday 22nd November 2011
Route: Lake, Burrator, Meavy, Earthquake, Cadover, Pipeline, Dewerstone Cottage, Clearbrook, HQ.
Riders: Sam, Steve, Keith, James, Colin, Paddy, Nigel, Julian, Gidon & Greg.
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 21:55
Distance: 12.5 miles
Weather: Good

With rewards promised a group of gentlemen led by ‘carrot on a stick’ inducements set off at a cracking pace through Lake, Iron Mine lane and over to the Dam. All descended to the by now vacant ice-cream van stop. We acknowledged a couple of fool-hardy bikers retiring to their warm cars now the darkness had fallen and headed down to Meavy.

Nigel, on his second run was concerned about his fitness levels. Little did he know that most of the others were concerned with Nigel’s fitness too. And he duly sped off at the earliest opportunity, with Paddy in hot pursuit. Up the Earthquake and across from Ringmoor to Brisworthy common. On to Cadover and the Pipe track. Gentlemen as we are, held gates open as long as we could be bothered. Offs were acknowledged with concern (but not in a feminine way). Nigel once again took time to familiarize himself with the trail features by hugging a large granite boulder on the pipe track. All safely down the track to Shaugh Bridge, Gidon bringing up the rear with his amazing light failing to illuminate anything but his bollocks, swinging limply on the handlebars (the light, not his genitals).

Over the pedestrian bridge, a quick but awkward walk up the footpath in our ballet pumps and down the track past Dewerstone cottage. Here, sphincters twitched in the dark as a thick carpet of leaves concealed pinch-flat bucklers from the hairy wary bikers.

By now the temptation of beer and the curiosity of the contents of Stephen’s sack had us motoring at a variety of pace through Clearbrook and onto the track back to HQ.

The fashion show got underway, with a few bodies on show, demonstrating sleek lines and great colour. We then ordered another round of the ales and admired them again before the shirts were given out and also appreciated.

Reporter: Greg

President's Footnote: As well as a good number on the ride, we saw four more turn up for the beer and jerseys. This produced a record bar bill of £113.90. Well done gentlemen!

And the report wouldn't be complete without mention of another memorable off for myself. Having survived everything Earthquake and the Pipeline could throw at me, whilst going through the last gate on the cycle track just 600yards from HQ, in a vain attempt to stay clipped in and hold the gate open for Westy, I put my front wheel in the bog and with the lack of speed offed into the wet and muddy ground right in front of Westy! I braced myself expecting Westy to cycle right over me, but being the gentleman he is, he fell into the dirt as well.