Gentlemen of Willowby Cycle Club
No hill too steep, no beer too dear!

Date: Tuesday 29th “Mo” vember 2011
Route: WP, Lake, Yennadon, Lowery, Burrator, Sheepstor, Scout Hut, Eylesbarrow, Top, Boneshaker, Leather Tor Bridge, Lowery, Yennadon, Lake, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Sam, Stephen, Steve B, Simon, James, Paddy, Julian & Dan (making a welcome comeback!!!)
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 2200 - 2230
Distance: 16.5 miles
Weather: Cold, clear and damp under wheel.


There's been a Murder (in your best Taggart accent)

A good turnout considering the horrible weather earlier in the day with Dan on the comeback trail after five months off after his altercation with a Cann Wood tree.

Stephen set too setting the usual blistering pace but regretted it as his derailleur melted on Yennadon Down. Stephen being Stephen manfully carried on to the end, ignoring the mechanical troubling him. By that, of course I mean he buggered off home in a huff and came to the pub showered and ready for work!!!

So 9 became 8 and after brief conflab we trundled down the Burrator old railway, and rode along the edge of the leat back to the upper road where 8 became 6 as Steve B suggested getting to the Scout Hut by going over the top of Sheepstor from the plantation (mad!) through the Sheepstor Bog. Then, what's more, persuaded Simon to go with him. The sane amongst us took the road to S'Tor village and up the road to the Scout Hut picking up a late departing Sam on the way.

The group was beginning to stretch. Dan's spirit was strong but his legs lacked miles and he dutifully pushed up to Eylesbarrow. In GOWCC spirit we all buggered off and left him (except Steve B who had caught up after his bogathon).

On to the Boneshaker turn and down towards the reservoir. Boneshaker living up to its name, until 2/3 of the way down where some tracked vehicle had been busy flattening it out and putting in drainage ditches, indeed MURDERING it. To have Boneshaker being easy is not the point. Boneshaker is there to torment and abuse bike riders, sap spirit and eat the unwary whether traveling uphill or down. Now sadly, partially murdered.

Leather Tor Bridge, Shaggers Van (no longer there), Lowery Cross, Yennadon Down, Lake and home. Greg joined us for a pint sporting ferret on upper lip in direct contravention of GOWCC rule 11.3.746a (facial hair to be waxed daily). He does a mean rendition of the Ace of Spades though with Steve B on backing vocals. Pints were drunk, records not broken and feet thawed. It’s getting cold!!!

Reporter: Paddy

President's Footnote: I'm not guilty, but have to admit I was quite pleased that the Boneshaker had been murdered, partly because when I got to the bottom I realised my suspension was still locked out!!

<<Previous ride


November 2011

  Date Route
  Tuesday 1st Iron Mine Lane, Lowrey Cross, Boneshaker, Nun's Cross, Scout Hut, Earthquake, HQ.
  Tuesday 15th Earthquake, Cadover, Trig Point, Hawks Tor, Lee Moor, top side of clay pits, Cadover, HQ.
  Tuesday 22nd Lake, Burrator, Meavy, Earthquake, Cadover, Pipeline, Dewerstone Cottage, Clearbrook, HQ.
  Saturday 26th Horrabridge, WP, Long Ash, B***ard Hill loop, Double Waters, West Down loop, Grenofen Bridge, new viaduct, Horrabridge/Yelverton
  Tuesday 29th WP, Lake, Yennadon, Lowery, Burrator, Sheepstor, Scout Hut, Eylesbarrow, Top, Boneshaker, Leather Tor Bridge, Lowery, Yennadon, Lake, HQ.